US2073047A - Lug strap for loom picker sticks - Google Patents

Description

March 9, 1937. H. J. BARNETT LUG STRAP FOR LOOM PICKER STICKS Filed Oct. 17, 1934 Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in lugstraps for use with the picker-sticks of looms.

One object of the invention is to provide a metal lug-strap of relatively light weight which 5 is stronger and more durable in use than the usual straps made from rawhide, leather, fiber or laminated strips of fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lug-strap of the type indicated reinforced against strain and stress and embodying a buffer or shock-absorbing element to relieve the wear and deteriorating effect from the impact of the shuttle on the picker-stick.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lug-strap of the type indicated having an improved construction of the shock-absorbing element or buffer-plug whereby to reduce the wear thereon while rendering it more eificient and durable in use over long periods.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lug-strap of the type indicated which is more economical to manufacture than present types of straps now in use.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my improved lug-strap showing it partly broken away at the side to illustrate the bufier-plug located in its closed end;

Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the lug-strap connections for operating the picker-stick of the loom;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a detailed edge view of the pickersticl; showing the hold-up member applied thereto for retaining the strap in position relatively of the stick;

Fig. 5 is a composite perspective view of the parts of the buffer-plug or shock absorber shown in disassembled relationship; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a modification in the form of construction of the plug.

In accordance with present mill practice the lug-straps for picker-sticks of looms are constructed from rawhide, leather, fiber or laminated strips of duck or canvas fabric cemented together. It is well known to those versed in the weaving art that lug-straps are subjected to severe wear and in accordance with present methods of construction they have only a short life and require frequent replacement. The leather, fiber or fabric from which the straps are constructed becomes chafed and worn from contact with the picker-sticks and under the continuous hammering-action of the shuttles the fabric or other material soon gives way and the strap must be discarded and replaced by a new one. The present invention contemplates the construction of the strap from sheet-metal such as aluminum, steel or other like material of high tensile strength and treated to prevent corrosion under the damp conditions in mills.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates the improved strap 2 as comprising a strip of sheetmetal bent into substantially U-shape to provide opposite parallel sides or arms 3-3, connected by an end piece 4. To reinforce and stiffen the structure, the side arms 3 are formed throughout a portion of their length with upper and lower flanges 5 folded outwardly from their edges. At the closed end of the strap the flanges 5 merge into extensions 6 of the rear wall or connecting strip 4, thereby increasing the dimension of this part of the strap to further augment the strength of the whole. The flanges 5, besides serving as a reinforcement for the sides of the strap, have a further important function, namely, to prevent wear on the hold-up member which supports the strap in operative relation to the picker-stick in the manner as later explained.

The forward end of the sides or arms 3 of the strap 2 are provided with slots or openings 1 for thelreception of a stud or bolt 8 connecting the strap to a wooden bar or arm 9 from which the picker-stick is operated. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the wooden arm 8 is linked to a fabric or leather loop ID by means of a bolt H and clamps [2. The loop Ill engages through a metal shackle or clevis I3 which is connected to a lever, not shown, for operating the picker-stick from the usual cam-motion in the loom.

The bolt 8 which connects the strap 2 to the wooden arm 9 passes through clamping plates M abutting the sides of the arms 3 and having flanges at the top and bottom engaging across the edges thereof to hold the plates in position. Preferably, the inner faces of the arms 3 of the strap 2 are provided with a plurality of protuberances It: struck up from the metal by indenting the outer faces thereof as shown at 5.. These protuberances act as spurs to indent the wood of the arm 9 to effect a secure grip of the strap on the arm without chance of slippage should the bolt 8 become loosened.

As one feature of the present improvement the buffer-plug I! at the closed end of the strap 2is constructed of rubber or an equivalent resilient material and protected by one or more sheaths of metal. As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing, the plug ll takes the form of a generally cubical block having one of its sides convexed 4 or rounded outwardly at l8. The material of the plug is skived or cut away on its sides at 19 to receive the triangularly-shaped lateral wings 22 of a metal sheath or protector 20. The

sheath 20 has a concavo-convex wall 2| adapted to fit closely against the convex face l8 of the block or plug i? with its triangularly-shaped side wings 22 overlapping the sides thereof within the cut-out portions I9. A rivet 23 is passed through countersunk openings 24 in the wings 22 of the sheath 20 and through a laterally extending hole 26 in the plug II, the ends of the rivet being thereafter headed over flush with the sides of the sheath.

In some cases the resilient plug I1 is further sheathed with a metal plate 21 abutting its rearward face and having lateral flanges 28 folded across its sides. The flanges 28 are provided with apertures 29 registering with holes 30, extending laterally through the plug ll. The plug I1 is positioned at the closed end of the strap 2 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and connected permanently therewith by means of rivets 3! pass-,

ing through holes in the sides of the strap and the holes 29 in the sheath 21 and the plug I l. A secure joinder of the parts isthus effected and the surfaces of the rubber or other resilient material which are subject to contact are completely sheathed with metal to prevent disintegration or distortion of the plug.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified form of construction of the buffer-plug or block II. In this a1- te'rnative form a portion of the block may be made of rubber vulcanized to greater hardness than the forward cushion portion of the block; or in other cases this rearward portion may be made of metal. In either case the forward, more resilient section 32 of the block is vulcanized or cemented to the rearward section 33. The rearward portion 3 3 of the plug, when made of rubber, may be reinforced with strips of fabric embeddedtherem as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 6.

In applying the lug-strap to the loom it is joined to the wooden arm 9 in the manner as described with its looped end enclosing the pick er-stick 35; A hold-up member 36 of usual form is fastened-to the rearward side of the stick 3 and, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 4, its sides are cut away to receive the flanged portions of the arms 3 of the strap 2. It will be noted by reference to this latter View of the drawing that theflanges 5 on the sides 3 of the strap 2- engage with the upper and lower edges of the cutout portions ofthe hold-up member 36, thereby providing extended bearing surfaces which reduce the Wear both onthe strap and the holdup. Usually, the hold-up member 36 is constructed of rawhide, fiber or the like and secured to the side of the picker-stick 35 by means of wood screws 31.

In use, the lug-strap ismoved from thecammotion to actuate the picker-stick 35 with a quick, sharp. motion tothrowthe shuttle through the. shedof the warp in the loom. This action is intermittent and continuous so that the lugstrapis subjected toconsiderable strain and extremely severewear. The strap of the present invention, being made of metal, is highly resistant to the strains and stresses imposed upon it, besides being proof against. stretching or distortion. At the same time, its smooth sides are not. liable towear orcut into the picker-stick, especiallysince theedges of its arms are turned over in the flanges 5 which provide smooth,

rounded corners. The shock and jar. of the quick actuation of the picker-stick is taken by the resilient buffer-plug or block I! with the metal sheath 20 protecting the yieldable material of the plug from wear under the contact of the picker-stick 35. Likewise, the rearward face of the plug or block I1 is protected by the metal shield or-sheathll or, in other instances, by forming a section of the block of harder material as illustrated in Fig. 6..

By the features above noted the present invention provides an extremely strong lug-strap which is practically proof against deterioration from wearunder the constant pounding action of the picker-stick. No lining of wood, fiber or other resilient material is employed on the sides of the strap, yet the picker-stick is protected from wear and cutting under contact with the arms of the strap. The resilient buffer-plug I1 is also protected from the impact of the stick to render it more durable in use and to further prevent its disintegration to reduce its cushioning effect. The flangesat the edges of the arms of the strap prevent cutting or marring the sides of the pickerstick, avoid wear on the hold-up and further reinforce the whole structure of the strap.

While my improved lug-strap is herein shown and described as embodied in a preferred form of construction, various modifications may be made in the shape and-arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1., In, combination, a metal lug-strap comprising opposite parallel arms joined together in a loop'at one end, a rubber buffer-plug seated in the looped end of the strap, a metal sheath covering the forward contact face and two sides of the plug adjacent the contact face, and means for holdingthe sheath and plug in assembled relation in the loop of the strap.

'2. In combination, a metal-lug-strap comprising opposite arms connected at one end in a loop, a rubber plug-seatedin the closed end of the strap, said plug formed with a convex forward face, a sheathof concavo-convex form overlyingin a loop, aresilient plugseated in the closed end of the loop, a metal sheath overlying the forward side of the plug, a second metal sheath overlying the rearward end of-the plug, and means for securingthe sheaths to the plug and the plug to the strap.

4. In combination, a metal lug-strap comprising opposite arms joined together at one end in a loop with flangesfoldedoutwardly from the edges of the arms and merging into the rearward wall of; theloop, a' resilient plug seated in the closed end of the loop-and having a convex end for engagementv withthe picker-stick, a metal sheath overlying the convex end of the plug, and means for securing the. plug in place in the strap.

5. In combination, a metal lug-strap having oppositeparallellarms joined together at one end in a closed loop, a buffer-plug seated in the closed end of theloop, said plug comprising a forward section of, resilient material and a rearward section of hardermaterialabutting the rearward wall of the strap, and a metallic sheath on the plug for engagement with the picker-stick.

HERBERT J. BARNE'I'I.

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