US2609844A - Weft replenishing loom operating with two shuttles - Google Patents

Description

R. s. TURNER 2,609,844

WEFT REPLENISHING LOOM OPERATING WITH TWO SHUTTLES Sept. 9, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1948 l N V E NTOR RICHARD 6. TURNf/i ATTO R N E Y WEFT REPLENISHING LOOM OPERATING WITH TWO SHUTTLEIS Filed March 20, 1948 R. G. TURNER Sept. 9, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG IN V E N TO R RICHARD 6. TURNER ATTORNEY 8 3 4 -|'.ln 8 mm fi l J m m w 5 rll-QI. 5 6 9 J h www 9 9| w 8 WEFT REPLENISHING LOOM OPERATING WITH TWO SHUTTLES Filed March 20, 1948' R. G. TURNER Sept. 9, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGJO 67 www 7 8 M on E W O U E sm m O m E 6. m 5% & W w T 4 1 A A H M R M a l l 7 A 4 mvOfivo0o/o-\m GOOG 0 00 MW 0 m0 0 o o 0 m 0mi & r /mm w M Patented Sept. 9, .1952

. 'WEFTREP-IQENISHING LOOM OPERATING WITH'TWO SHUTTLES :Ric'hard (turner, Worcester, M assigncr t Grompton .& Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass a corporation of Massachusetts Application March'20, 1948, Serial No. 16,064

.19 Claims. (01. 139.-.-232,)

This invention relates to. improvements in bob- .bin changing looms :operating with .two shuttles which .nunpick and pick during part at least of the time Litheloom is in operation.

.In certain fabrics .it isdesirable to have .single l picks iOf. :one type .of weftiollowed by singlepicks of :aidifierent type. hsraisample of snchua fabric mention may 'be.:made "of crepe which single pick of .arright hand :twist weftalternate with single picks :of .a left .hand :twist eweft. At the presenttime it isnecessary to producesuch fabrics on non-automatic .lOOIIlS because no simple and efficient automatic loom is availablelfor weavi-ngtt'hem. .It .is the general purposecf the .pres- .ent invention .toprovide a bobbin changing loom 1 having a two-stack magazine at one end thereof .for the replenishment .of two shuttles. which can run pickia-nd pick.

.Iihe ishuttles :may mun pick .and .pick throughoutloornmperationpr: pick and pick weavingwmay be interruptedtoweave .atrband of several suc- .cessive= picks of :one typeof weft. Z'Fhisband may alternate either :with another ;.band .o'f ithB OthBI' type; of 'weit, or :withpick and pick weaving. The interruptionrof pick and pick weaving can occur .either between .replenishmentof one shuttle'and detectionxof weftin the other shuttle, or between indication .ofsexhausti'on Lby one shuttle and its replenishment. In :either event a delay of at least ztwo xpicks .will. occur betweenzindication and transfer. It is another object of the present-invention tovprovide. a weft detecting systemto in- 'dicate weftaexhaustion on a pick when'the empty shuttle is Einactive, .and replenish i the shuttle on the :next :picksit is inactive whether or not there has been .:an iinterruptioncof pick andpick weaving. Z'Ihe indication will be -stored in a iholding contact, and a second: contact closed at a 'later timetby "the pattern chain will complete a-cir- .cuit:;closure of which 1 causes replenishment.

iWhen "pickand pick looms-operate with but twoshuttlesandrweft detection for both of them occurat the same-side of :the-loom itis' found that-one shuttle can give usable indications of weitexhaustion on evennum-bered picks only of theeloom whilemhei other: shuttle can give usable indications on odd numbered picks only. In-order thatmthe =.replenishing operation may be initiated or completed :on either i even *or odd numbered picks of the 'Iloom .it is a further object of .the invention toaoperate those parts ofzthe loomassociatedawithr the: replenishing operation by mechanism operating Lon one-pick time. In the descriptionset forth hereinafter I show the wellknownz-Knowles head pattern mechanism for this purpose, but :Iido notwwish necess-arilyto be limited in :thepracticecf my. inventionito a head motion.

@In the .usualimulticolora bobbin cchanging loom the selector" which determineszfrom whichLstack 1a bobbin :shall be transferred :moves in time with the shiitin lshuttle boxes at the .endof the .loom opposite the. magazine. .In atwoeshuttle pickand pick .locm, however, these boxes shift at a time when ;it .is desirable to select the bobbin :to :be transferred and it is not feasible to control :the selector from 113116 shuttle boxes, or the pattern .chainrolls or indicators which control the boxes. It is a still further object of the invention to utilize .a .part of the pattern mechanism independentcf the shuttle boxes and their indicators toposition theselector.

.A 3100111 of :the type set forth herein may have either homeboxes :for the two shuttles. at theend of the m opposite the magazine, or :the .shutthis may .each enter both .the top andthe bottom shuttle :boxes. ,,In the firstcondition .itds .desirable to have a weft detector for each. shuttle as shown in'the preferred form of the invention-set .iorth hereinafter, :but under these conditionsindication of weft exhaustion could :be given .-.on successive picks if both shuttles were depletedoi (.wctt. .It .isaiurther object of the invention to nullify one of these successive indications of weft exhaustion 'duringpart of the loom cycleso that it will notiinterfere with the other indication, and nuliiiy;.the other indication during anotherrpart of the loom cycle so that it cannotinterfere with said one indication. This nullification can1con-. veniently xbe .eif'ectedwby the chain. cont-r01 iortthe selector.

When the shuttles do not have home 'boxes it is possible tousea single detector and manipulate the shuttlesin suchmanner that-firstoneshuttie enters the box correspondingto the weftedetector and then. the other shuttle, thereby permitting detection of both shuttles by one .ifeeler mechanism. This typeofdetection isset-forth in :the first modification. of the invention.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the descriptionproceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrangement. of parts. hereinafter described andsetforth.

In the accompanying drawings, where three forms of. the invention are set forth,

Fig. 1 is a frontelevation of a loom partly in section'having the preferred form of the invention applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevation partly in sectionlooking in the direction of arrow 2, Fig.1,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the vibrator lever means of thehead mechanism which operate the shuttle boxes and certain partsof the weft replenishing mechanism.

Fig. .415 a diagrammatic View showing the relative positions of the shuttles and the shuttle boxes for the preferred eightpick cycle ofoperationuof the loom,

-Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view setting forth the I 3 electric circuits used with the preferred form of the invention,

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a draft of the pattern chain used with the preferred form of the invention,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail partly in section of the structure shown at the lower right hand part of Fig. 2,

Fig. 8 is a detailed elevation looking in the direction of arrow 8, Fig. l,

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic View looking in the direction of arrow 9, Fig. 3, and showing that part of the head mechanism which closes the aforesaid second contact of the detector circuit,

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but shows an eight-pick cycle for the loom operating according to the first modified form of the invention,

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic View showing the electric circuits for a single weft detector as employed in the first modified form of the invention,

Fig. 12 is a diagram of the draft of the pattern chain used with the cycle shown in Fig. 10,

and

Fig. 13 shows a draft of a pattern chain used with the second modification of the invention and also indicates the order of picking the shuttles when pick and pick weaving is interrupted by 7 plain bands of successive similar picks.

Referring particularlyto Figs. 1 and 2, the loom frame If! supports a lay ll driven by the top or crank shaft l2 of the loom which reciprocates the lay once for each pick of the loom, A gear I3 secured to shaft l2 meshes with a second gear M of twice its size secured to the bottom shaft it": which rotates once in two picks of the loom. 1

Each end of the lay is provided with shifting shuttle boxes, the gangs of boxes at the right and left ends being designated, respectively, at

RG and LG. The gang RG is actually made with three cells only two of which, however, are utilized by the shuttles. The top box or cell 16 is the box in which replenishment occurs and immediately below it in What ordinarily would be the second cell is a deflector or baffle ll which directs an ejected bobbin forwardly, or to the left as viewed in Fig. 2. The bottom box or cell It will be in active position when the top cell it is in high or transfer position.

The gang LG has top and bottom boxes or cells 2G and 2% associated with over and under electric feelers or weft detectors Fl and F2, re-

spectively, secured to the lay in such position that when gang LG is up a shuttle in top cell as will have its Weft detected by feeler Fl, but when the gang LG is down a shuttle in the bottom cell or box 2! will have its weft detected by feeler F2, Picker sticks 22 are shown as part of the picking mechanism used in the loom, and these sticks will ordinarily operate each pick of the loom so that any shuttle in active position will be picked.

The pattern chain controlled mechanism K is of the well-known Knowles head type and comprises top and bottom mutilated gear cylinders 25 and 25, respectively, which rotate continuously during loom operation in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, each cylinder completing a rotation each pick of the loom. The cylinders 25 and 25 may be considered the operating means for certain of the structure to be described. The driving means for these cylinders is not shown, but they rotate once for each pick of the loom to operate vibrator lever means which 41- V will be described in more detail hereinafter. The head mechanism K is provided with a pattern chain C for determining the vertical positions of the vibrator levers. The chain is on one-pick time and presents a new bar to controlling position over chain cylinder 23 each pick of the loom.

Gang LG is supported by a box lifter rod 30 attached to a flexible connector 3 l such as a chain, trained over lay carried sheaves 32 and then down around-a loom frame supported sheave 33, thence upwardly over a sheave 34 and around a stationary sheave 35 mounted as indicated in Fig. 8 to a box lifter lever 38. The lower end of lever 35 moves about a stationary pivot 31 and its upper end is attached to a vibrator connector 38 pivoted to a vibrator gear 3:; rotatably mounted on a vibrator lever it. The latter is-pivoted on .a heel pin il formed as part of the mechanism K.

The pattern chain 0 has a row of high and low indicators 43 and M, respectively, as indicated in column HS of Fig. 6. These indicators 43 and id alternatein the preferred form of the invention so. that vibrator lever to is up on one pick and down on the next, thereby causing the vibrator gear 39 to be turned first in one direction by one of the mutilated cylinders 25-26 on one pick and then in the opposite direction by the other mutilated cylinder on the next pick. In this way the gang LG is shifted each pick of the loom so that first the top cell 20 and then the bottom cell 2i is active.

The gang RG is mounted on the box lifter rod 5% connected to a flexible chain 5! .trained over lay carried sheaves 52 and 53 and .then down around a sheave 54 concentric with sheave 33 and thence up overa sheave 55 concentric with sheave 34. .Both sheaves 34 and 55. rotate on a stationary axis 56 supported by the head mechanism K. Chain 5| is trained around a sheave 51 rotatable on the lower end of a .box lifter lever 58 pivoted on fixed stud 59. 5| extends to the left, Fig. 1,'from sheave 51 and is anchored at 60 to a stationary part or" the loom. This anchoring of chain 5| represents a departure from the usual construction of mechanism K.

The upper end of lever 58 is pivoted to a vibrator connector 6| pivoted to a vibrator gear 62 mounted on a vibrator lever 63 which is over the high and low indicators 64 and 65, respectively, of the pattern chain, see column MD, Fig. 6.. This vibrator lever 63 and the sheave'51 control the vertical position of gang RG, and when sheave '51 is to the left of axis 59 as shown in Fig. 1 gang RG Will be down with box [6 active, but when vibrator gear, 62 is turned by cylinder 25 due to arrival of a highroll indicator 64 under vibrator lever 63 sheave 5"! will move to the right of the position shown in Fig. 1 and gang RG will move to its high position to make box or cell 18 active and place cell IS in high or transfer position. I

The head mechanism K has only two vibrator levers assigned to the shuttle boxes, but when supplied'for pick and pick work this mechanism is. ordinarily provided with two additional vibrator levers and it is also common practice where necessary to use stillotherlevers to be operated by the chain 0. The replenishing mechanism about to be described is either controlled or operated by these additional levers.

The. magazine M in back center position is provided with front and back stacks of reserve bobbins BI and 132, respectively, and is mounted for rocking movement about a stationary pivot Chain 5. l0,see Fig. 2 in a manner shown in my prior patent No. 2,128,974. The upper end of the magazine is connected to a rod II extending rearwardlyto a bell crank lever I2 pivoted on the loom asat I3. A selector I4 depends from lever -I2 and hasthelower end thereof provided witha hook I5 the back and forth position of'which is determined by a selector lever I6 moving about a stationary axis II. The hook is slidable through lever I6 and a spring I8 normally tends to move the upper part of the se lector lever forwardly, or to the left as viewed in Fig. 2, tomove the hook I5 to its front position. Lever 16 can, however, be rocked in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 to move the hook I5 to its rear position.

The head mechanism K is provided with a third vibrator lever 80 for the selector carrying a vibrator gear 8I attached to a connector 82 operatively connected to the upper end of a lever 83 pivoted at 59. Lever 83 is connected to a chain 84 or other similar flexible connector which is guided over sheave 85 at the magazine end and extends downwardly and is attached to arm 86 of the selector lever I6. Vibrator lever 80 is controlled by high and low rolls 81 and 88, re spectively, of the pattern chain C appearing in vertical column I-ID, Fig. 6.

A fourth vibrator lever 95 in the head mechanism K is provided with a vibrator gear 06 and a connector 01 attached to a lever 98 moving about axis 31. Lever 98 is attached to a flexible connector or chain 99 which is guided over sheaves I and IM at the magazine end of the loom and is connected to the forward arm I02 of a magazine positioning or control lever I03 moving about a fixed pivot I04. A spring I05 normally tends to hold lever arm I02 in down position as shown in Fig. 2, but permits upward movement thereof. An operating pin or actuator I06 is secured to the rear arm I0'I of lever I03 and is provided for operation or depression of hook I5 when the latter is registered with it onreplenishing beats of the loom.

An electric switch lever H0 is pivoted on the heel pin II and extends over high and low rolls III and H2, respectively, of the pattern chain, see column SL, Fig. 6. Mounted on the head mechanism Kover lever II 0 is an electric switch II4 which is open when lever H0 is down but is closedwhen the lever is raised by a high roll I I I. i The electric circuit used with the preferred form of the invention is shown in Fig. 5, wherein one of the detector prongs II5 of each of the feelers Fl and F2 is grounded as at IIG. Feeler FI is connected to contact III of a switch H8, while the other feeler F2 is connected to a second contact II9 of switch H8. Switch IIB, omitted from Fig. l but supported by head K over vibrator'lever 80, see Fig. 3, is connected to an initiating coil I provided with an armature or holding contact I2I normally held down by a spring I22 out of engagement with a stationary contact I23. When the armature is attracted by energization of the initiating coil I20 it engages the contact I23 and is held in engagement therewith upondeenergization of the initiating coil by a hook I24 normally held to the left by a spring I25. Hook I24 is on an armature I26 of a. releasing coil I21 normally deenergized.

Located over the normally down vibrator lever 95 and mounted on the head mechanism K is a solenoid I30 normally deenergized but effective when energized to lift vibrator lever 95. Low rolls or indicators I3I shown in vertical column MS of the pattern chain 6, Fig. 6, permitthe vibrator lever 95 to be or-dinarilyin low position. Asource of electric power P,-which may be-a transformer, is in an energizing circuit including the holding contactand switch H4 in series and also the solenoid. 'When the holding "contact I2I is held up against contact l23 and switch H4 is closed solenoid I30 will be energized. r a I The preferred form of the invention operates in an eight-pick cycle indicated in Fig. 4, whereinthe positions of the shuttle boxes and shuttles for the eight picks are designated *at I-VIII. The shuttle box positionsshown in Fig. 4 are those existing when the lay is on top-center and picking is about to occur at the start of a one pick cycle. The horizontal rows I- VIII of indicators in Fig. 6 are those which produce the correspondingly numbered shuttle box positions I-V-III shown in Fig. 4. i l

In explaining the operation of the preferred form of the invention it will be assumed that the two shuttles SI andSZ are both depleted of weft and have bobbins provided with metallic ferrules which are uncovered -upon exhaustion of weft to connect electrically the prongs of the corresponding weft detector or feeler-when the shuttles-are in detecting position. I

(3n the first piokof the sequence shown in-position I, the lay being on top-center at the beginning of this firstpick, shuttle SI is-i-n cell 20 of gangLG and the prongs 11-5 of -feeler FI will be electrically connected to cause feeler FI to indicate weft exhaustion. Shuttle S2 is in box cell I6 and i about tobe picked toward cell 2| of gang LG. Because of the'fact that a low roll "88 is under vibrator lever switch I I8 will be in the full line position shown in Fig. 5 corresponding to feeler FI, and selector lever I6 will place hook I5 under or in register with actuator pin I06. Indication of weft exhaustion by feeler FI will therefore complete a circuit through the initiate ing coil I20and contact I23 will be engaged by the armature or holding contact I2I. On this pick, however, switch I I4 is open due to the fact that a low roll I I2 is under switch lever I I0.

At the bottom center following position I shuttle S2 will be boxed in cell 2I and gang LG will start to move down. Even though shuttle SI moves away from feeler FI, the holding contact I2I will remain closed because of the action of hook I24.

In position II shuttle SI is picked toward cell I6 of gang RG and at the bottom center following position II gang RG will start up and will be in high position so that box I6 will be in transfer position relatively to the magazine M at the next back center position of the lay following position III.

7 In considering Figs. 4 and 6 it should beborne in mind that the horizontal rows I-VIIIof Fig. 6 show the indicators which produce the correspondingly numbered shuttle and shuttle box positions I-VIII of Fig. 4. In order to produce '-these latter positions, however, the chain indicators must be in their indicating positions under their levers not later than the preceding bottom center positions of the lay in order to allow the vibrator lever means to complete box shifting by top center. Also, a high roll I II will be moving up on cylinder 28 during the latter part of the first pick just prior to position II, and will be moving under lever I I0 not long after position II during the second pick, as indicated by the dotted line circle la in column SL, Fig. 6, to

7 at back center.

trip pin I54 on arm lei behind pin IIIG.

lift lever IIII. High roll III will complete raising of lever III'I to close switch II4 in time to energize solenoidl30 and lift vibrator lever 95 so that at the next bottom center position, occurring in the second pick, lever -95'will-startto move pin I06 due to action of top cylinder gear 25 and when the shuttle boxes reach position III actuator pin will have been moved down to depress hook I to rock magazine M to place the lowest bobbin BI in transfer position.

When pin I06 moves down, the forward arm I02 of lever I03 rises and lifts a rod I35 conlected thereto to raise a positioning member I36 pivoted to I31 to elevate the transferrer latch I33 into the path of a bunter I39 secured to and extending rearwardly from the lay. These operations are completed with the lay moving rearwardly and in top center position III.

As the lay approaches back center the bunter I39 will engage the latch and-rock the transfer rer arm I IB to transfer the lowest bobbin BI into shuttle SI and transfer will be completed bunter I39 will release the latch I38 but arm Hi2 of lever I03 will still be up. Chain C will however move a low roll II2 under lever III] and the scent of rod I35 will allow the transfer latch to fall to its normal non-transfer position, Fig. 2. The up movement of pin I06 occurring at this time allows the magazine M to be returned to its normal position against stop MI by spring I42, and the magazine will be reset at position IV, Fig. 4. I

It is necessary to open the holding contact I2I to enable shuttle S2 to be replenished during the second four pick sequence, and this is accomplished by upward movement of arm It? of lever I93 as pin I66 rises.

A normally open switch I58, see Fig. '7, is mounted on a stationary part'of the loom and has an operating arm I 5! on which a trip finger I52 is pivoted as at I53 to be in the path of a When the operating pin I56 has its workingor-down stroke as already described trip pin I55 will turn finger I52 on its pivot without moving arm I5I, see dotted lines Fig. '7, but on the upward or return stroke of arm IB I pin I54 will engage finger I52 and lift arm I55 to close switch I56, see dot and dash lines, Fig. '7. p 7

Closure of switch I55 will energize releasing coil I21, as will be apparent from Fig. 5, and hook I24 will move from under holding contact I?! to permit the latter to be moved down to its open position by spring I22. As arm Id? of lever ItS approaches its normal or high position it releases finger I52 and switch I53 opens. circuits are now back to their normal or inactive condition. U

The reason for using the finger I52 on arm I 5i is to permit the solenoid to be energized throughout the time vibrator gear 96 is being turned by upper cylinder .of mechanism K. Releasing coil I21 could probably be energized at the end of the down or working stroke of pin I'Jt without much likelihood that gear 96 would start to fall before the Working stroke is actually completed,

The electric As the lay moves forwardly but I prefer to open the holding circuit on the solenoid at a later time.

All the parts are now back to their normal position and the first 'four-picksequence is completed. It will be noted that although shuttle S2 is detected by feeler F2 in position II, Fig. 4, this latter feeler cannot indicate exhaustion because switch I It is out of engagement with con tact 'I I9, and indication of weft exhaustion can therefore be given by ieeler FI only during the first four-pick sequence.

' At the beginning of the second four-pick sequence, which starts with position V, a high roll SI will raise vibrator lever 86 so that the top gear cylinder 2 5 will turn vibrator gear 8 Lin 2. counterclockwise direction as ,viewed in Fig. 1 to move connector as to the left. This results in rocking the selector lever It in a clockwise direction as icwed in Fig. 2 to move hook I5 rearwardly, to the right Fig. 2, out of register with the operating pin H36. The latter will therefore havean idle down motion and the magazine will remain in its normal position. At this time switch H8 is also changed to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5, thereby enabling feeler F2 to indicate exhaustion of Weft. 7

During the second four-pick sequence the gang will shift in an order the reverse of its shiftings for the first four-pick sequence, that is, the gang RG will be up in positions V, VI and VIII, and will be down in position VII to enable shuttle $52 to be picked into box cell I5.

Since shuttle S2 is assumed to be depleted of \veit ieeler F2 will indicate weft exhaustion on the sixth pick, position VI, and the replenishing operation which follows will be similar to that described for shuttle SI. A second high roll III will effect closure of switch I I4 to close the solenoid circuit as already described for shuttle SI. During this second four-pick sequence shuttle SI is in detecting position with respect to feeler FI on the fifth pick, but it cannot indicate because switch II8 has moved away from contact III. The second four-pick sequence ends with replenishment of shuttle S2 in position VIII, and a second eight-pick cycle starts.

It will be noted that indication in the first fourpick sequence is initiated on an odd numbered pick of the eight-pick cycle, that is, the first pick, and replenishment is completed on another odd pick as suggested by bobbin BI in position III, but during the second four-pick sequence indication of weft exhaustion occurs on an even numbered pick, that is, the sixth pick and replenishment is completed on another even numbered pick as suggested by bobbin B2 in position VIII. These operations can occur on odd and even numbered picks of the cycle because of the fact that the head mechanism K operates on one-pick time.

The head mechanism. K usually operates with a lock knife I57, Fig. 1, which is in locking position with respect to the vibrator levers from bottom center to top center, and then moves out to non-locking position, or to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, from top center through back center to bottom center to allow the vibrator levers to move vertically if called upon to do so by the pattern chain 28. In order that energization of the solenoid I35 may be delayed. until after the lock knife has moved to its unlocking position the lever III) has a shoe I68 for engaging with the indicators in verticalcolumn SL shown in Fig. 6. This shoe is somewhat on center with respect to the axis of the cylinder 28,, see Fig. 9, to delay closure of switch I It until the lock knife moves to unlocked t the initiating coil I20.

position to permit vibrator lever 95 to risefreely to its high position upon energization of the solenoid. Shoe It!) will hold lever III) up and switch I I l-closed to keep solenoid I30 energized until bottom center, at which time the lock knife locks lever 95 up and its motion to move pin I06 is started by thetop gear cylinder 25.

In the first modified form of the invention the greater part or" the structure already described is used, but there will be only one feeler F3 which will be in the position of feeler Fl of the preferred form- Also, since but oneweft detector will. be

used it will be necessary to alter the order of shiftings of gang LG. As een in- Fig. 10, gang LG will not shift every pick of the loom'as in the preferred form, but will be down for onepick only during the first four-pick sequence and will be up for one pick only during the second fourpick sequence. I This order of shifting allows both of the shuttles SI and S2, which may be the same aswith the preferred form, to be detected by the single feeler F3, and is controlledby high and low chain. indicators I61 andlGZ, respectively, in column HS of chain CI, see Fig. 12.

Since there is only one feeler in the first modified form of the invention the switch I I8 will be omitted and the right side or electrode of feeler F3 as shown in Fig. 11 will be connected directly Otherwise the circuit ofl-the modified form will be the same as that used for the preferred form, and the indications of weft exhaustion and the replenishments will be the same as in the preferred form.

In both Figures 6 and 12 the dotted large circles I63 shown for positions III and VIIIsuggest the raised position of vibrator lever 95 due to energization of the solenoid. There are no high rolls in column MS in either Fig. 6. or Fig. 12 so that vibrator lever 95-: will always be normally down except when raised bythe' solenoid. In

Figs. 4 and 10 the order of shifting of the gang 'secondfour-pick sequence, as in the preferred form. v i

:In the foregoing description it has been assumed that the fabric being woven is pick andpick throughout, but certain features of the invention are not limited to the weaving of such a fabric. It may be desirable, for instance, to havebands of pick and pick fabric alternate with bands formed by a plurality of picks of the same kind of weft, in which case there will be interruptions in the pick and pick cycle such as shown in Fig. 13, which sets forth the second modification of the invention.

Fig. l3shows a sequence of twelve picks eight of which are similar to the picks represented in Fig. 6, and four of which represent two interruptions of two successive similar picks each. The weaving of pick and pick can beinterrupted either immediately after a transfer has been completed, in which event it will not interfere witha normal replenishing operation, or it can occur'between indication of weft exhaustion and the ensuing transfer. This second modification operates with shuttles S5 and S6 corresponding to shuttles SI and S2, respectively, of the preferred form of the invention, and will employ two feelers similar to feelers FI and F2. Inter- S6 is kept in action by high and low indicators the same as for pick III", This will result in the laying of three picks from shuttle S6, the first of which, however, should be considered as part of the preceding pick and pick weaving.

Pick VI corresponds to pick IV of Fig. 6,and similarly picks VII" and VIII correspond to picks V and VI of Fig. 6. On the eighth pick shuttle S6 will indicate weft exhaustion while shuttle S5 is active, but there will be a second interruption on the next two picks IX" and X" during which shuttle S5 remains active. The chain C2 will have the same indications for these last two picks as for pick VIII", that is, there will be low rolls II2 for these picks to prevent closure of switch H4. Pick and pick weaving is then resumed on pick XI" andreplenishment of shuttle S6 will occur on pick XI due to a high roll III.

Although each of the interruptions has been described as involving only two picks, a greater number of picks could be woven for each interruption, and closure of the holding circuit will i be delayed during any interruption occurringbetween indication of weft exhaustion and the transfer called thereby.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided means by which each of two shuttles carrying distinctive weft running pick and'pick can be replenished by bobbins drawn froma single magazine located at one end of the loom. A holding contact or switch is closed upon indication of weft exhaustion by the weft detecting mechanism, but the holding circuit for the solenoid is not closed by pattern chain controlled switch I I4 until the next pick, whereupon the indication is completed. It is because of this manner of closing switch II I that a lapse of at least two picks can occur between indication of weft exhaustion by the weft detecting mechanism and bobbin transfer. Bobbins are transferred when the lay is on back center position and top cell I I6 of gang RG is up in transfer position and at rest relativelyto the lay. Furthermore, the selector lever 16 is rocked under control of the pattern chain independently of the shiftings of the gang LG Or the chain indicators controlling it. When two feelers are used switch II 8 is in one position in the first four-pick sequence to enable only one of the feelers to indicate weft exhaustion and is in another position during the second four-pick sequence to enable the other feeler only to indicate. In all forms of the invention the gang RG shifts in such order that each of the two shuttles can enter the top cell I6 and be moved to high or transfer position relatively to the magazine. The releasing coil I2! is energized preferably on the return stroke of lever arm II". In the second modification the detecting and transferring operations occur the same as in the eight-pick cycles, except that 11 when an interruption occurs to lay successive similarpicks bobbin transfer may be delayed. The fact that the head mechanism K operates on one pick enables detection of weft and transfer to occur on either even or odd numbered picks of the loom cycle. Each vibrator lever, gear and connector may be considered collectively as a vibrator lever means.

Another application, Serial No. 16,065, filed March 20, 1948, shows some of the structure set forth herein, but that application is directed to .a shuttle changing loom, whereas the present application relates to a bobbin changin loom.

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 bobbin changing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins corresponding to the shuttles and being normally in one position corresponding to one of said shuttles to locate the lowest bobbin in one group for transfer but movable to another position corresponding to the other shuttle to locate the lowest bobbin in the other group for transfer, shuttle boxes at the other end of the loom shifting to move each shuttle one at a time to inactive position for one pick, weft detecting mechanism at said other end of the loom to detect each shuttle at a time when the latter is in inactive position, an actuator for movin the magazine, a selector operatively connected to the magazine for moving the latter from said one position to said other position thereof, said selector being normally in one position in register with the actuator corresponding to said one shuttle and movable out of register with the actuator to another position corresponding to the'other shuttle, pattern chain controlled vibrator lever means effective during the second pick after either shuttle when inactive is detected by the weft detecting mechanism to locate the selector in the position thereof corresponding to the detected shuttle, and other vibrator lever means effective on said second pick, provided indication of weft exhaustion was given by said detecting mechanism when detecting said inactive shuttle,

to operate said actuator and cause the latter to move said selector if the latter is in reigster with the actuator to move the magazine to said other position thereof.

2. In a bobbin changing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins corresponding to the shuttles, said magazine being rockable to one or the other of two positions to place the lowest bobbin in either group in transfer position, shuttle boxes at the other end of the loom shifting to move each shuttle one at a time'to inactive position for one pick, weft detecting mechanism at said other end of the loom to detect the weft of either shuttle at a time when the latter is inactive, an actuator for moving the magazine, a selector operatively connected to the magazine, pattern chain controlled vibrator lever means efiective on the second pick following detection of one of said shuttles to cause the selector to register with the actuator and effective on the second pick following detection of the other shuttle to move the selector out of register with the actuator, and

other vibrator lever means causing said actuator 12 to move on the second pick followingdetection of either shuttle, provided the latter has caused the weft detecting mechanism to indicate weft exhaustion, to move the selector to rock the magazine, provided the selector is in register with said actuator.

3. In a bobbin changing loom operating in an eight pick cycle comprising two successive four pick sequencies, the loom having two shuttles with different weft running pick and pick and having shifting shuttle boxes at each end thereof, a movable magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins, one group for each shuttle, said magazine being normally in one position to place the lowest bobbin in one of said groups in transfer position but movable to another position to place the lowest bobbin in the other group in transfer position, pattern mechanism including four vibrator lever means one of which effects shiftin of the shuttle boxes at said other end of the loom to move each shuttle to inactive position twice during the eight pick cycle, weft detecting means effective to indicate weft exhaustion in one shuttle only during the first four pick sequence when said one shuttle is inactive and effective to indicate weft exhaustion in theother shuttle only during the second four pick sequence when said other shuttle is inactive, the second vibrator lever means effective to raise the shuttle boxes at said one end of the loom on the second pick following detection of weft by said detecting mechanism in either four pick sequence, an actuator to move the magazine, a selector for operation by said actuator operatively connected to the magazine and normally in one position in register with the actuator Y but movable to another position out of register with the actuator, means maintaining the selector in said one position thereof during the second pick following detection of weft in the first four pick sequence and the third vibrator lever means placing the selector in the other position thereof during the second pick following detection of weftin the second four pick sequence, and the fourth vibrator lever means operating said actuator on the, second pick following detection of weft in either four pick sequence, provided the weft detector indicates weft exhaustion, to move said selector if the latter is in register with the actuator to cause the magazine to move to said other position thereof.

4. In a bobbin changing loom operating in an eight pick cycle comprising two successive four pick sequences, the loom having two shuttles with different wefts running pick and pick and having shifting shuttle boxes at each end thereof, a movable magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins, one group for each shuttle, said magazine being normally in one position to place the lowest bobbin in one of said groups in transfer position but movable to another position to place the lowest bobbin in the other group in transfer position, weft detecting mechanism at the other end'of the m effective to indicate weft exhaustion in one shuttle only during the first sequence and effective to indicate weft exhaustion in the other shuttle only during the second sequence, pattern mechanism including three vibrator lever means one of which effects movement of the shuttle boxes at said one side of the loom to move the top, shuttle box thereof to transfer position relatively to the magazine on the second pick followin detection of weft in either sequence, actuator mechanism to move the magazine, a selector operatively' connected tov the magazine, the second: vibrator lever means causing the, selector to be. out of register with the, actuator means in one ofsaid sequences; and in a position corresponding to said one position of the magazine and in another position in register with the actuator mechanism in the other sequence and corresponding to the, other: position of the magazine, and means. including the third vibrator lever means; causing; operation of said actuator mechanism on the, second pick following indication of weft exhaustion, provided the weft detecting mechanism indicates weft exhaustion, to move the selector if the latteris in said other position thereof to move the magazine to theother position thereof.

5. In a bobbin changing loom operating in an eight pick cycle. comprising two successive four pick sequences, the loom having two shuttles running pick and pick, the first shuttle having weft differing from the weft of the second shuttle, the loom having shifting shuttle boxes at each end thereof; a movable magazine at one end of the. loom having two groups of reserve bobbins, one group for the first shuttle and the other group for the second shuttle, said magazine being normally in one position to place the lowest bobbin in one group in transfer position but" movable to another position to place the lowest bobbin in another group in transfer posi-. tion, weft detecting mechanism at the other end of the 100m effective to detect weft on the first and sixth picks only of said cycle in the first and second shuttles, respectively, actuator mechanism to move the magazine to said other posi tion thereof, selector mechanism operatively connected' to the magazine and movable into and out or register with the actuator mechanism, means causing the selector to be inregister with the actuator mechanism on the third pick of the cycle and out of register with the actuator mechanism on the eighth pick of the cycle, and means causing operation of the actuator mechanism on the third pick of the cycle if the first shuttle indicates weft exhaustion and on the eighth pick of the cycle if the second shuttle indicates weft exhaustion, the actuator mechanism and selector cooperating to move the magazine to said other position thereof if the selector is in register with the actuator mechanism.

6,. In a, bobbin changing loom operating in an eight pick cycle comprising two successive, four pick sequences, the loom having two shuttles with differentwefts running pick and pick and having shifting shuttle boxes at each end there of, a movable magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbinsone group foreach shuttle, said magazine being normally in one; position to place, the lowest bobbin in one of said groups in transfer position but: movable to another position to place the lowest bobbin in the other group in transfer position, Weft detecting mechanism effective to indicate weft exhaustion in the first shuttle on the first pick only of the cycle and effective to indicate weft exhaustion in the second shuttle on the sixth pick only of the cycle, provided the shuttles are depleted' of weft, and means effecting replenishment of the first shuttle by a bobbin drawn from oneof said groups on the third pick of the cycle if said first shuttle indicates weft exhaustion on the first pick of the cycle and effecting replenishment of the second shuttle by a bobbin drawn from the other group on the eighth pick of the 14 cycle if said second shuttle indicates weft exhaustion on the sixthpick of saidcycle.

7. In a bobbin, changing loom operating in an eight pick cycle and having two. shuttles with different wefts; running pick and pick, a movable magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins, one group for each shuttle, weft detecting mechanism at the other end of theloom effective to indicate weft exhaustion in the first shuttle if the latter is depleted of weft on the first pick only of the cycle and: indicate weft exhaustion in the second shuttle if the latter is depleted of weft on the sixth pick only of the cycle, and means effecting replenishment of either shuttle by a bobbin drawn from the corresponding group two picks later insaid cycle than the pick on which the detecting mechanism indicates weft exhaustion of a depleted shuttle.

8. In a bobbin changing loom operatin in an eight pick cycle comprising two successive four pick sequences, the loom having two shuttles with different wefts running pick and pick, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins, one group for each shuttle, and means effective on an odd numbered pick of one of said sequences if one of said shuttles is depleted of weft to effect replenishment of said one shuttle by a bobbin drawn from one of said groups and effective on an even numbered pick of the other sequence if the other shuttle is depleted of weft to effect replenishment of said other shuttle by a bobbin drawn from the other group.

9-; In a bobbin changing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick and operating on a cycle'of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, said eight pick cycle comprising two successive four pick sequences, a magazine having a group of bobbins for each shuttle, a transfer latch normally in non-transfer position, electric weft detecting means effective on an even numbered pick of one of said sequences to give indication of weft exhaustion if one of said shuttles is depleted of weft and effective on, an odd numbered pick of theother sequence to give indication of weft exhaustion if the other shuttle is depleted of weft, a holding contact closed when the detector means gives indication of Weft exhaustion and remaining closed after said indication, a second contact normally open, pattern chain mechanism effective to close said second contact before the lay reaches bottom center on the pick following indication of weft exhaustion by said detector means in either sequence, a solenoid, electric circuit means effecting energization of said solenoid when both contacts are closed, and vibrator lever means operating on one pick time caused by the solenoid when the latter is energized to move said latch to transfer position on the second pick following indication of weft exhaustion in either sequence.

10. In a bobbin changing loom having two shuttles running pick andpick and operating in. a cycle of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, said eight pick cycle comprising two successive four pick sequences, a magazine having two groups of reserve bobbins, one group for each shuttle, a transfer latch normally in non-transfer position, a positioning member for the latch normally in non-transfer position, vibrator lever means normally in down position but effective when raised to move said positioning member and cause the latter to move the latch to transfer position, electric weft detector means effective on an even numbered pick in one of said sequences to detect and give indication of weft exhaustion if one of said shuttles is depleted of weft and effective on an odd numbered pick in the other sequence to detect and give indication of weft exhaustion if the other shuttle is depleted of weft, a holding contact closed when the detector gives indication of weft'exhaustion in either of said sequences and remaining closed after said indication, a second normally open contact, pattern chain mechanism effecting closure of saidwsecond contact before the lay reaches bottom center on the pick following detection of weft exhaustion in either sequence, a solenoid effective when energized to move said vibrator lever means to the raised position there of, and electric circuit means including said contacts in series and said solenoid effective to energize the latter when said contacts are both closed.

11. In a weft replenishing loom operating with two shuttles running pick and pick, one shuttle being inactive on even numbered picks of the loom and the other shuttle being inactive on odd numbered picks of the loom, weft detecting means to detect the weft of said one shuttle on picks which are, even numbered and detect the weft of the other shuttle on picks which are odd numbered, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins, and means causing replenishment of said one shuttle by a reserve bobbin from one of said groups on the next even numbered pick after indication of weft exhaustion of said one shuttle and causing replenishment of said other shuttle by a reserve bobbin from the other of said groups on the next odd numbered pick after indication of weft exhaustion of said other shuttle.

12. In a weft replenishing loom operating with two shuttles running pick and pick, one shuttle being inactive on even numbered picks of the loom and the other shuttle being inactive on odd numbered picks of the loom, weft detecting means to detect the weft of said one shuttle on picks which are even numbered and detect the Weft of the other shuttle on picks which are odd numbered, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins, and means causing replenishment of said one shuttle by a reserve bobbin from one of said groups on an even numbered pick occurring after in dication of weft exhaustion of said one shuttle and causing replenishment of said other shuttle by a reserve bobbin from the other of 'said groups on an odd numbered pick occurring after indication of weft exhaustion of said other shuttle.

13. In a weft replenishing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick and operating on a cycle of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins for replenishment of the shuttles, one group for each shuttle, a transfer latch for the magazine normally in non-transfer position but movable to transfer position preparatory to replenishment of either shuttle, electric weft detector means for the shuttles giving indication of weft exhaustion ond electric contact normally open, pattern chain mechanism effecting closure of said second contact before the lay reaches bottom center on the next following the pick on which indication of weft exhaustion is given, a solenoid, electric circuit means including said contacts and solenoid in series energizing the latter when both contacts are closed, and vibrator lever means effective incident to energization of said solenoid to move said latch to the transfer position thereof.

i l. In a weft replenishing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick and operating on a cycle of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins for replenishment of the shuttles, one group'for each shuttle, a transfer latch for the magazine normally in non-transfer position but movable to transfer position preparatory to replenishment of either shuttle, a control member for the latch normally in non-transfer position but movable to transfer position to place the latch in transfer position, vibrator lever means normally in down position but operative when in raised position to effect movement of the control membercand latch to their respective transfer positions, the control member subsequently returning from transfer position to the non-transfer position thereof, electric weft detector means capable of indicating weft exhaustion in one shuttle on the first pick and in the other shuttle on the sixth pick of said cycle, an electric holding contact closed when the detector means indicates weft exhaustion in either shuttle and remaining closed after said in dication, a second normally open electric contact, pattern chain mechanism effecting closure of said second contact before the lay reaches the bottom center position thereof on thenext pick after indication by the detector means, a solenoid effective when energized to move said vibrator lever means to theraised position thereof, electric circuit means including said contacts and solenoid in series and effective to energize the solenoid when both contacts are closed, and means causing opening of said holding contact'incident to movement of the control member to and from the transfer position thereof.

15. In a weft replenishing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick and operating on a cycle of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins for replenishment of the shuttles, one group for each shuttle, a transfer latch for the magazine normally in non transfer position but movable to transfer position preparatory to replenishment of either shuttle, a control member for the latch normally in non-transfer position but movable to transfer position to place the latch in transfer position, vibrator lever means normally in down position but operative when in raised position to eifect movement of the control member and latch tov their respective transfer positions, the control member subsequently returning from transfer position to the non-transfer position thereof, elec tric weft detector means capable of indicating weft exhaustion in one shuttle on the first pick and in the other shuttle on the sixth pick of said cycle, an electric holding contact closed when the detector indicates weft exhaustion in either shuttle and remaining closed after said indication, a second normally open electric contact, pattern chain mechanism effecting closure of said second contact before the lay reaches the bottom center position thereof on the next pick after indication vibrator lever means to the raised position thereof, electric circuit means including said contacts and solenoid in series effective to energize the solenoid when both contacts are closed, and means controlled by said control member when the latter returns from the transfer position to the non-transfer position thereof to effect opening of said holding contact.

16. In a weft replenishing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick and operating on a cycle of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, a magazine at one end of the loom having two groups of reserve bobbins for replenishment of the shuttles, one group for each shuttle, electric Weft detector means capable of giving indication of exhaustion of weft in one shuttle on the first pick and in the other shuttle on the sixth pick of said cycle, an electric holding contact closed when the detector gives indication of weft exhaustion and remaining closed after said indication, a second electric contact normally open, pattern chain mechanism closing said second contact before the lay reaches the bottom center position thereof on the next pick following any pick on which said weft detector means can indicate weft exhaustion, a solenoid normally deenergized, operating means having an operating movement each pick of the loom, electric circuit means including said contacts and solenoid in series effective to energize the solenoid when both contacts are closed, weft replenishing mechanism including a part movable from the normal position thereof to transfer position preparatory to replenishment of weft in either shuttle by the replenishing mechanism, and means controlled by said solenoid causing the operating means to move said part of the replenishing mechanism to transfer position incident to energization of said solenoid.

17. In a weft replenishing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick and operating on a cycle of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, the loom having a magazine at one end thereof provided with two groups of reserve bobbins for replenishment of the shuttles, one group for each shuttle, a transfer latch for the magazine normally in non-transfer position but movable to transfer position preparatory to replenishment of either shuttle, an operating member for the latch, vibrator lever means effective when down to cause the operating member to be in the normal non-transfer position thereof but effective when raised to cause the operating member to move to the operating position thereof to move the latch to transfer position, electric weft detecting means capable of indicating weft exhaustion in one shuttle on the first pick and in the other shuttle on the sixth pick of said cycle, an electric holding contact closed upon indication of weft exhaustion by said detector means on either the first or sixth pick of said cycle and remaining closed subsequent to said indication, a second electric contact normally open, pattern chain mechanism closing the second contact prior to bottom center position of the lay on the pick next following a pick on which indication is given and effecting opening of said second contact on the second pick after said indication, a solenoid effective when energized to raise said vibrator lever means, an electric circuit means including said contacts and solenoid in series energizing the solenoid upon closure of the second contact subsequent to closure of the holding contact, opening of said second contact on said second pick effecting deenergization of the solenoid, whereupon the vibrator lever means moves to normal position and said operating member returns from the operating position to the nontransfer position thereof, and means effective to open said holding contact incident to said return movement of the operating member to the nontransfer position thereof.

18. In a weft replenishing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick and operating on a cycle of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, one shuttle being inactive on the first pick and the other shuttle being inactive on the sixth pick of said cycle, the loom having a magazine provided with two groups of reserve bobbins for replenishment of the shuttles, electric weft detecting means capable of indicating weft exhaustion in said one shuttle on the first pick and in said other shuttle on the sixth pick of said cycle, an electric holding contact closing when either shuttle is inactive in the event of indication of weft exhaustion by the detector means and remaining closed subsequent to said indication, a second electric contact normally open but closing on the pick-next following any pick on which indication of weft exhaustion occurs, and control means for the magazine causing the latter to effect replenishment of either shuttle on the next pick subsequent to indication of weft exhaustion in the shuttle when the latter is inactive by a corresponding bobbin drawn from the magazine incident to closure of the second contact if the first contact is closed.

19. In a weft replenishing loom having two shuttles running pick and pick and operating on a cycle of eight picks each of which starts when the lay is on top center, one shuttle being inactive on certain picks of the cycle including the first and third picks and the other shuttle being inactive on certain picks of the cycle including the sixth and eighth picks, the loom having a magazine provided with two groups of reserve bobbins for replenishment of the shuttles, one group for each shuttle, an electricholding contact capable of closing on either the first or sixth pick of said cycle when said one or said other shuttle is inactive in the event of indication of weft exhaustion in the shuttle and remaining closed during the next pick of the loom, a second electric contact normally open but closing before the lay reaches bottom center on the second and seventh picks of said cycle, and control means for the magazine causing the latter to effect replenishment of said one shuttle onthethird pick and of said other shuttle on the eighth pick of the cycle, provided indication of weft exhaustion has been given by the shuttles, by bobbins drawn from the corresponding groups of bobbins in the magazine incident to closure of the second contact if the first contact is closed.

RICHARD G. TURNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date McPeak June 6, 1905 Reynolds Feb. 3, 1916 Turner Mar. 27, 1928 Payne May 29, 1945 Dion et al Aug. Ill, 1948 in the

Images