US2708553A - Doff timing control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1955 R. F. DYER DOFF' TIMING CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 8 1951 RICHARD F. D YER INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Unite 1 DOFF TIMING CONTRQL APPARATUS Application September 8, 1951, Serial No. 245,749

15 Claims. (Cl. 242-355) This invention relates to winding machines and in particular to apparatus for accurately producing the same yardage of yarn on all bobbins wound on a multiplespindle winding machine.

In the textile industry it is highly desirable to have equal yardage of yarn wound on all bobbins, or packages, consigned to the same end use. The technique heretofore followed to obtain uniform yardage required an operator to watch a clock and to doff each bobbin at the proper time depending upon the yards-per-minute winding speed. Since each operator tends several hundred spindles, his dofilng time accuracy is necessarily poor and the total yardage of yarn varies widely from bobbin to bobbin. This results in excessive cost in beaming from the bobbins since the waste yarn and labor costs increase rapidly with increasing deviation from the desired yardage.

It is an object of the invention to provide dott timing apparatus, for use in combination with a multiple spindle winding machine having separate spindles capable of being individually braked, which provides a precise and automatic control for doffing each bobbin of yarn with a minimum error in yardage. It is a further object of the invention to provide such dofling apparatus which accurately and consistently produces equal yardage of yarn on the bobbins. Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for producing uniform yardage of yarn on the bobbins of a winding machine in which the deviation from the desired yardage due to the human error is a minimum.

It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus for automatically and sequentially braking the spindles of a winding machine, after the bobbins are wound to the desired yardage, for a sufficient interval to allow an operator to replace a full bobbin with an empty one. It is a still further object of the invention to provide means in such dofi timing apparatus for coordinating several winding machines in order to allow staggering of the doll times and even distribution of work loads.

According to the invention an individual electrically operated brake is provided for each spindle of a winding machine and means are provided for sequentially activating the brakes after yarn has been wound on each bobbin for a desired winding period.

The doll timing apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a cycle timer, or master timer, which controls the total yardage of yarn wound on the bobbins and a program timer which controls the operators Work cycle by sequentially braking each spindle, after the desired yardage has been wound on the corresponding bobbin, for a sufficient interval to allow replacement of the full bobbin with an empty one. The dotting cycle, or the time between successive dofis performed by the operator on the multiple-spindle machine, is manually set on the cycle timer which in turn starts the braking cycle after the expiration of the manually set dofiing cycle. The program timer sequentially brakes each States Patent spindle after the desired yardage of yarn has been wound 2,708,553 Patented May 17, 1955 "ice on the corresponding bobbin. A pneumatic brake is provided for each spindle of the spinning machine and an individual solenoid is in turn provided to operate each pneumatic brake. Timed pulses of suificient duration to allow replacement of a full bobbin by an empty one are sequentially sent from the program timer to the brake solenoids. After the brake cycle (consisting of the sequential braking of each spindle), the cycle timer continues to run for the unexpired portion of the manually set dotting cycle, and after expiration thereof means are provided for-resetting the cycle timer.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each bank contact of a rotary stepping switch is in circuit with the solenoid of an individual spindle brake, and timed pulses are sent from the program timer to advance the switch wiper step-by-step over the bank contacts and to sequentially actuate the solenoids. The program timer comprises a synchronous, motor-driven, multi-cam recycling timer which is adapted to repeat a constant cycle of on-and-off periods. Continuously rotated cams on the shaft of the synchronous motor cyclically close a first pair of electrical contact to complete an electrical circuit to actuate the solenoid of the rotary switch, and thus advance the switch wiper across the bank contacts, and a second pair of contacts to connect electrical power to the switch wiper, and thus actuate the corresponding brake solenoid, for a sufiicient interval to allow the doffing operator to replace a full bobbin with an empty one.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a wiring diagram of the preferred embodiment of a dofi timing control suitable for a lOO-spindle winding machine;

Fig. 2 shows the brakes and the solenoids mounted on a Winding machine frame; and

Fig. 3 illustrates the method of utilizing the apparatus of the invention to coordinate the dofiing periods of several spinning machine units.

The preferred embodiment of dofi timing control apparatus illustrated in Fig. l is adapted to sequentially brake each spindle of a winding machine and to control the winding period for each bobbin. Each spindle S1, S2, S3, etc. of a l00-spindle Winding machine is provided with an individual pneumatic brake 11 which is adapted when operated to stop the rotation of a continuously driven spindle S. Pneumatic brakes for the spindles of winding machines are well known in the art, and to simplify the drawing and to facilitate the understanding of the invention the brakes 11 are shown schematically in block form. Bobbins 12 mounted on each spindle S have the usual flanges 13 and 14 and have driving contact with a whorl 15 which is driven in the usual manner. Rings 16 adapted to be moved axially of the bobbins 12 guide the thread on the continuously revolving bobbins 12. Each brake 11 is controlled by a three-way solenoid valve SV adapted when electrically actuated to admit high pressure air from a line 18 through tubing 20 to the corresponding brake 11 and thus stop one of the spindles S. When the electrical circuit to a solenoid valve SV is opened, high pressure air is cut ofi from the corresponding brake 11 and exhausted to the atmosphere through an exhaust port 21 (see Fig. 2). The spindle S is thereby released and continues to revolve causing the bobbin 12 to take up the yarn.

A cycle timer, or master timer, 23 which may be manually set for any interval up to 20 hours, is adapted to run for the selected doffing cycle and to close pairs of electrical contacts after the expiration thereof. The electrical contacts of the cycle timer 23 initiate the braking cycle which is regulated by a synchronous, motor-driven, multicam, recycling program timer 24 which continuously repeats a constant cycle consisting of definite on-and-ofi periods. The cycle timer 23 is provided with a synchronous motor 26 which is adapted to drive its timing mechanism and a reset solenoid 27 which is adapted when electrically actuated to restore the cycle timer 23 to its original con dition and thus permit the dofiing cycle to begin anew. In operation, the cycle timer 23 is set for the dofiing cycle and controls the yardage of yarn on each bobbin in addition to providing a fixed interval of time in which the operator may doff the wound bobbin on the braked spindle and replace it with an empty one. The program timer 24 comprises a multiplicity of cams 28, 29, and 30, mounted on the shaft 31 of a synchronous motor 32 with each cam adapted'to close a pair of electrical contacts for a definite portion of the common time cycle.

An individual solenoid valve SV is associated with each spindle S and its corresponding brake 11. Two 52-point rotary stepping switches 33 and 34 are provided with sets, or banks, 35 and 36 respectively of stationary contacts with each of the first fifty stationary contacts of the banks 35 and 36 connected to an individual solenoid valve SV. The first fifty stationary contacts of the bank 35 are referred to in the drawing and in the specification as C1, C2 C50, and the 51st and 52nd contact thereof as T1 and T2; similarly, the first fifty contacts of the bank 36 are referred to as C51, C52 C100 and the 51st and 52nd contact thereof as T3 and T4. The fifty electrical leads from the banks 35 and 36 are cabled and run through conduits 37 (see Fig. 2) to the winding machine frame where each lead is connected to the corresponding solenoid valve SV. The rotary stepping switches 33 and 34 are provided with solenoids 39 and 40 respectively which are adapted when electrically actuated to advance wiper contacts 41 and 42 through conventional pawl-andratchet mechanisms (not shown) step-by-step across the banks 35 and 36 of stationary contacts. The rotary stepping switches 33 and 34 are also provided with pairs of off-normal electrical contact springs 44 and 45 respectively which are adapted to close and make electrical contact when the wipers 41 and 42 are on any of the first fifty-one stationary contacts but to open and break electrical contact when these wipers are on the 52nd contact, i. e., when wiper 41 is on contact T2 and wiper 42 is on contact T4.

The rotary stepping switch 33 is also provided with another bank 38 of stationary contacts and a wiper contact 43 adapted to be advanced across these contacts by the solenoid 39 in unison with the wiper 41. The wipers 41 and 42 are electrically commoned and connected to a spring 46 of a pair of electrical contact springs adapted to be closed by the cam 28 of the program timer 24; the other electrical contact spring 47 of this pair is connected directly to one side of the 1l0-volt potential source. A condenser 48 across the output of a full-wave bridge rectifier 49, which in turn is connected directly across the 110-volt alternating current source, filters the unidirectional output. The positive side of the rectifier output is connected to one of the springs of each of the off-normal pairs 44 and 45 and to the wiper 43. The negative side of the bridge rectifier 49 is connected to one of the springs 54 of a pair of electrical contact springs adapted to be closed by the cam 29 and the other spring 56 of this pair is electrically connected to one terminal of the solenoid 40 of the rotary stepping switch 34. The-other terminal of the solenoid 40 is electrically connected to the 51st contact R1 of bank 33 and also to the second spring of the offnormal contacts 45. A spring 58 of a pair of electrical contact springs adapted to be closed by the cam 30 is electrically commoned to the spring 54, while the second spring 60 of this pair is connected to one terminal of the solenoid 39 of the stepping switch 33. The other terminal of the solenoid 39 is electrically connected to the second spring of the off-normal contacts 44 and to an of the rotary switches 33 and 34 respectively armature spring 62 of a pair of break" electrical contact springs adapted to be opened by operation of a mechanical latch relay 64. The second armature spring 65 of the pair of electrical contact springs on the mechanical latch relay 64 is connected to the positive side of the full-wave bridge rectifier 49.

The mechanical latch relay 64 is provided with a first relay coil 66 adapted when electrically actuated to attract an armature 67 which in turn opens the normally closed armature springs 62 and 65. A release armature 68 on the relay 64 is adapted to mechanically latch the armature 67 in the operated position. Electrical actuation of a release coil 72 of the relay 64 attracts the release armature 68 which pivots and releases the armature 67. The restoration of armature 67 allows the armature springs 62 and 65 to again close. One terminal of each of the coils 66 and 72 is connected to the same side of the llO-volt alternating current source, while the opposite terminal of the coil 66 is connected to the second stationary contact C2 of the bank 35. The other terminal of the release coil 72 is connected to'a spring 74 of a pair of make electrical contact springs on the cycle timer 23 adapted to be closed when the cycle timer times out, while the other contact spring 75 of this pair is connected directly to one side of the -volt alternating current source. The first contact C1 of the bank 35 is connected to the reset solenoid 27 of the cycle timer 23 through a jack 8!).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the synchronous motor 32 of the program timer 24 is connected directly across the 110-volt alternating current source and runs continuously on a 54-second cycle with the cam 28 adapted to close the springs 46 and 47 at 0 seconds of the cycle and open them after the expiration of 33 seconds, cam 29 is adapted to close springs 54 and 56 at 34 seconds and to open these contacts at 35 seconds of the cycle, and cam 30 is adapted to close springs 58 and 60 at 36 seconds and to open these springs at 37 seconds of the 54-second program timer cycle. Spring contacts 46 and 47 operated by the cam 28 control the time interval that each spindle is braked by completing an electrical circuit to connect the 110 volt source through a switch wiper 41 or 42 to the corresponding solenoid valve SV. The spring contacts 54 and 56 closed by the cam 29 complete an electrical circuit for connecting the 60-voltvdirect current output from the bridge rectifier 49 to the solenoid 40 to step the rotary stepping switch 34; similarly, springs 58 and 60 operated by cam 30 connect the 60-volt output from the bridge rectifier 49 to the solenoid 39 to advance the wipers 41 and 43 of the rotary stepping switch 33.

The operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention can best be understood by assuming that the doff timing apparatus has been in operation for a sufficient interval so that the bobbin 12 on spindle S1 has been wound to almost the desired'yardage, i. e., just before the cycle timer 23 times out. In this condition of the apparatus, the mechanical latch relay 64 is retained in the operated position and the wipers 41, 42, and 43 of the rotary stepping switches 33 and 34 are all on the 52nd contact, e. g., wiper 41 is on contact T2, at which position the pairs of cit-normal contact spring 44 and 45 are both open as hereinbefore explained. The dofling cycle isalways greater than the braking period and the cycle timer 23 has been running continuously since the last spindle, i; e., $100, was braked. Just prior to the time that the first bobbin is filled to the desired yardage and at the expiration of the time manually set into the cycle timer 23, i. e., the doffing cycle, the electrical contact springs 74 and 75 of the cycle timer 23 close to electrically energize the release coil 72 of the mechanical latch relay 64. Energization of the coil 72 attracts the release armature 68 and allows the armature 67 to restore and permit springs 62 and 65 again to make electrical contact. Closing of the springs 62 and 65 prepares the circuit for the ener- 'pleted through wiper 41 gization of the solenoid 39 of the rotary stepping switch 33, and when contacts 58 and 60 are closed by the cam 30, an electrical circuit is completed to connect 60 volts from the bridge rectifier 49 across the solenoid 39. Energization of solenoid 39 advances wipers 41 and 43 from the 52nd to the 1st stationary contact, e. g., wiper 41 is advanced from contact T2 to contact C1, thereby allowing the off-normal springs 44 to close. When springs 46 and 47 are closed by cam 28 at the start of the next cycle of the program timer 24, a 1l0-volt circuit is comto solenoid valve SV1 at spindle S1 and to the reset solenoid 27 of the cycle timer 23. Energization of the reset solenoid 27 restores the cycle timer 23 to its original condition, and when these contacts 46 and 47 open after 33 seconds of the program timer cycle, the synchronous motor 26 of the cycle timer 23 again begins to run for the time manually set into the cycle timer, i. e., the dofling cycle. Energization of solenoid valve SV1 admits high pressure air from the line 18 through tubing 20 to the corresponding brake 11 and stops the spindle S1 for a sufiicient interval to allow the doifing operator to replace the full bobbin 12 with an empty one and to do any cleaning necessary.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each spindle S inbefore explained. It will be noted that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first spindle S1 is braked at the beginning of the doffing cycle controlled by the cycle timer 23 and that the succeeding brakes 11 are sequentially operated at 54-second intervals. the expiration of 34 seconds of the first cycle of the program timer, contacts 54 and 56 close but inasmuch as the electrical circuit to the solenoid 40 is open at the offnormal springs 45, no electrical switching is accomplished thereby. Electrical contacts cam at the expiration of 36 seconds of the first cycle of the program timer and complete an electrical circuit through the off-normal springs 44 to the solenoid 39 to advance the wiper 41 to the second bank contact C2 and wiper 43 to the second stationary contact of the bank 38. Springs 46 and 47 close at the beginning of the second cycle of the program timer and complete a 1l0-volt electrical circuit to actuate the solenoid valve SV2 of spindle S2 and to energize the coil 66 of the mechanical latch relay 64. Energization of coil 66 attracts and mechanically latches the armature 67 which opens spring contacts 62 and 65. Energization of solenoid valve SV2 admits high pressure air from the line 18 to the corresponding brake 11 to stop the bobbin 12 of spindle S2 after the desired yardage of thereon. Contacts 46 and 47 open at the expiration of 33 seconds of the program timer cycle to release solenoid valve SV2 and the corresponding brake 11 and thus allow the spindle S2 to again rotate. Contacts 54 and 56 close at 34 seconds of the program timer cycle but no electrical switching is accomplished thereby. Contacts 58 and 60 close at 36 seconds of the program timer cycle and complete an electrical circuit to the solenoid 39 to step the wiper 41 to bank contact C3 and wiper 43 to the third stationary contact of bank 38. In a similar manner, the first fifty spindles S of the winding machine are braked when the wiper 41 is stepped to the corresponding bank contact.

After contacts 58 and 60 close to complete an electrical circuit to solenoid 39 and step the wiper 41 to the 51st contact T1 of bank and wiper 43 to the 51st contact R1 of bank 38, a 60-volt electrical circuit is completed through the wiper 43 to the solenoid when contacts 54 and 56 close after the expiration of 34 seconds of the 51st program timer cycle. Contact T1 of bank 35 is not connected to a solenoid valve SV and, consequently, no spindle S is braked when contacts 46 and 47 close at the beginning of the 51st cycle of the program timer. Energization of solenoid 40 steps wiper 42 from the 52nd, i. e., T4, to the 1st contact, i. e., C51, of bank is individually braked for 33 seconds, as here- After 58 and 60 are closed by yarn has been wound 36, thus permitting the off-normal spring contacts 45 to close as hereinbefore explained. Wiper 41 is stepped from the contact T1 to contact T2 when springs 58 and 60 are actuated by the cam 30 after 36 seconds of the 51st program timer cycle, at which time the oil-normal springs 44 open and prevent further stepping of the rotary stepping switch 33 until the cycle timer 23 again times out.

A 110-volt electrical circuit is completed throughthe wiper 42 sequentially to the valve solenoids SV of the spindles 51 to 100 in the same manner as hereinbefore explained for the rotary stepping switch 33. The contacts 46 and 47 again control the interval that each brake 11 is energized, while the spring contacts 54 and 56 actuated by the cam 29 provide the stepping pulses for advancing the rotary stepping switch 34. No valve solenoid SV is connected to the contact T3 of bank 36, and no spindle is braked when the wiper 42 rests on this contact. When the wiper 42 steps to the 52nd bank contact, i. e., T4, of bank 36, the off-normal springs 45 open the circuit to the solenoid 40 and prevent further stepping of the rotary stepping switch 34 until the switch 33 is again stepped across all the contacts of its banks. Both rotary stepping switches 33 and 34 remain at rest for the remainder of the dofiing cycle set in the cycle timer 23, and the bobbins 12 continue to rotate and fill with yarn. At the end of the doffing cycle, i. e., when the cycle timer 23 times out, the electrical contact springs 74 and 75 are again closed as hereinbefore explained to energize the coil 72 which attracts the release armature 63 and restores the armature 67 to allow the electrical contact springs 62 and 65 to make. Closure of contact springs 62 and 65 prepares an electrical path to solenoid 39 which in turn is electrically energized when the contacts 58 and 60 close as hereinbefore explained to step the wiper 41 from contact T2 to contact C1 (and wiper 43 from the 52nd to the first contact of bank 38) and thus prepare the circuit for braking spindle S1. Thereafter the spindles are individually and sequentially braked as hereinbefore explained.

In Fig. 2 a sequence of operation is shown where the brake 11 at spindle position S1 has just been released, the brake 11 at spindle position S2 is operated and the full bobbin has been replaced by an empty one. The brake 11 at spindle position S2 is about to be released. Spindle S3, having a full bobbin, will be doffed during the next cycle of the program timer 24, and spindles S4 and S5 will be dotted in successive program timer cycles.

The method of coordinating several winding machine units will now be described in relation to Figs. 1 and 3. It will be noted that the electrical circuit from the rotary stepping switch bank contact C1 to the reset solenoid 27 of the cycle timer 23 is through jack switch 80. A separate jack 81 is connected to this circuit to allow the same reset signal to be sent to another doffing control unit which is connected to the same ll0-volt alternating current power source. If a cord having telephone plugs at both ends thereof connects jack 81 of another control unit (A in'Fig. 3) with jack of control unit B in Fig. 3, the reset signal circuit in control unit B will be opened and the reset signal of control unit A will govern the resetting of control unit B. Thus, if, as shown in Fig. 3, the cycle timer 23 of unit B is set to 25 minutes and is to be reset by unit A, spindle S1 on unit B will always be braked 25 minutes after spindle S1 on the winding frame controlled by unit A. In Fig. 3, controls A, B and C are running on a dotting cycle of minutes as set on unit A. The reset impulse is put in lead 83 by a connection to jack 81 of unit A, and control units B and C are reset by unit A with connections from lead 83 to the jacks 8% of these units. Control unit B then dolls 25 minutes after unit A and unit C dofls 50 minutes after A. As shown in Fig. 3,

control units D and E are coordinated through lead 84 in a similar manner on a ZIO-minute cycle as set on unit D, and unit E dofis 105 minutes after D and is reset by D. Control unit F is running independently on a l85-minute dofiing cycle. The hours listed in the chart of Fig. 3 represent the clock time when the spindle S1 on each machine doifs for the first, second, third, and fourth times after 12:00 oclock noon. The advantage of such coordinating of winding machines is that doff times, and hence yardages on the bobbins, are held constant between machines, and by staggering the deli times the operators do not meet in the aisles between adjacent machines and work loads can be evenly distributed.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of the dotf timing apparatus of the invention are possible to obtain the desired yardages, brake cycles, and work loads. If it is desired to change the interval that each spindle is braked, the on-and-ofi periods of the contacts controlled by the cams 28, 29 and 30 can easily be changed through adjustable gearing on the program timer 24. If small bobbins requiring comparatively small doffing cycles are being filled, a SO-spindle winding machine is preferable in which it is unnecessary to provide means to transfer the braking circuit from one rotary stepping switch to another. If it is desired to change the work load to allow a diiferent number of operators to doif a machine, and thus shorten the program timer cycle and the interval that each spindle is braked, replacement of cams 28, 29, and 34) by others having different percentage calibrations on the cam face is quickly and easily accomplished. Each cam is independently adjustable for a specific timing sequence. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the program timer 24 is controlled and started by the cycle timer 23 and electrical power is switched from the wiper of one rotary stepping switch to another after the first wiper has stepped across all the contacts of its bank.

While the invention has been described wi h reference to the particular construction disclosed herein, it is not confined to the exact details set forth, and this application is intended to cover all such modifications or departures as may come within the intended scope of the following claims.

I claim:

I. Doif timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine, comprising an electrically operated brake for each spindle, a power source, and means for sequentially connecting said power source to said brakes for timed intervals.

2. Doif timing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and including a mastertimer adapted to be set to run for a desired doffing cycle, means responsive to said master timer reaching said set position for starting said connecting means, and means for resetting said master timer after the expiration of said dofiing cycle.

3. D01? timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine, comprising an electrically operated brake for each spindle, step-by-step switch means having a plurality of stationary contacts individually connected to said brakes and wiper contact means adapted to be sequentially advanced across said stationary contacts,

means for intermittently advancing said wiper means,

in power source, and means for connecting said power source to said wiper means at timed intervals to sequentially brake said spindles.

4. Doff timing apparatus in accordance with claim 3 and including a master timer adapted to be set and to run for a desired dotting cycle, and means for starting said wiper advancing means and said power connecting means after the expiration of said dofiing cycle.

5. Doff timing apparatus for a multiplespindle winding machine, comprising an electrically operated brake for each spindle, step-by-step switch means having a plurality of stationary contacts individually connected to said brakes and wiper contact means adapted to be 8 sequentially advanced across said stationary contacts, solenoid means for advancing said wiper means, means for intermittently energizing said solenoid means, apower source, and means for connecting said power source to said wiper means to brake said spindles at timed intervals.

6. Dotf timing means in accordance with claim 5 and including a master timer adapted to be set to run for a desired dofling cycle, means responsive to said master timer running for said set doffing cycle for starting said solenoid energizing means and said power connecting means, and means for resetting said master timer after the expiration of said dotfing cycle.

7. Bolt timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine, comprising an electrically actuated brake for each spindle, means for sequentially selecting said brakes, a power source, switch means between said source and selecting means for intermittently supplying power thereto, and control means for opening and closing said switch means at timed intervals.

8. Dofi. timing apparatus in accordance with claim 7 and including a master timer adapted to be manually set to run for a desired dofiing cycle, and means responsive to said master timer reaching said set position for starting said brake selecting means and said control means.

9. Dotf timing apparatus in accordance with claim 8 and including means for resetting said master timer after the expiration of said doifing cycle.

10. Dotf timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine, comprising individual electrically actuated means for braking each spindle, a master timer adapted to be set to run for a desired dofiing cycle, and means responsive to said master timer reaching said set position for sequentially braking said spindles including stepby-step switch means having a plurality of stationary contacts each in circuit with a braking means and wiper contact means adapted to be advanced sequentially across said contacts, solenoid means for advancing said wiper means, switching means for intermittently energizing said solenoid means, a power source, other switching means between said source and said wiper means for intermittently connecting power thereto, and control means for opening and closing both said switching means at timed intervals.

ll. DofE timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine, comprising individual electrically actuated means for braking each spindle, step-by-step switch means provided with wiper contact means and a plurality of stationary contacts each of which is in circuit with a braking means and each of which is contacted by said wiper means, solenoid means for advancing said wiper means, synchronously-driven timing means adapted to cyclically produce a first and a second electrical impulse sequentially, a master timer adapted to be manually set to run for a desired doffing cycle, means responsive to said master timer reaching said set position for completing a circuit to direct said first impulses to said solenoid means, means responsive to said master timer reaching said set position for completing a circuit to direct said second impulses to said wiper means, and means for opening both of said circuits after said wiper means has contacted all of said stationary contacts.

12. Dotr' timing apparatus in accordance with claim 10 I and including means for resetting said master timer after the expiration of said doffing cycle.

13. Dotf timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine, comprising individual electrically operated means for braking each spindle, a first and a second solenoid-operated step-by-step switch each provided with stationary contacts individually in circuit with a braking means and a wiper contact adapted to be advanced across said stationary contacts, means for connecting braking impulses to said wipers at predetermined intervals, master timing means adapted to be manually set to run for a desired dofiing cycle, means responsive to said master timer reaching said set position for connecting stepping impulses to the solenoid of said first switch, means for stopping szid stepping impulses to the solenoid of said first switch and for connecting stepping impulses to the solenoid of said second switch after the wiper contact of said first switch has advanced across its stationary contacts, means for stopping impulses to the solenoid of said second switch after the wiper contact thereof has advanced across its contacts, and means for resetting said master timer after the expiration of said dofling cycle.

14. Dofi timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine, comprising individual electrically operated means for braking each spindle, a master timer adapted to be manually set and to run for a desired dofling cycle, and means started after the expiration of said dofiing cycle for sequentially braking said spindles comprising a plurality of contact sets with each contact in circuit with a braking means, a wiper for each contact set, solenoid means for each wiper adapted to sequentially advance said wiper across said contacts, switch means for providing stepping impulses, other switch means for providing braking impulses, control means for opening and closing both said switch means at timed intervals, means for connecting said stepping impulses to a solenoid means and said braking impulses to a wiper of a contact set, means for disconnecting said impulses from a preceding contact set and for connecting said stepping impulses to the solenoid means and said braking impulses to a wiper of a succeeding contact set after said preceding switch wiper has advanced across its contacts, means for disconnecting said impulses from the last contact set after its wipers have advanced across all of its contacts, and means for resetting said master timer after the expiration of said dofiing cycle.

15. Dofi timing apparatus for a multiple-spindle winding machine, comprising an individual electrically operated brake for each spindle, a master timer adapted to be manually set to run for a desired doffing cycle, and means responsive to said master timer reaching said set position for sequentially energizing said brakes comprising a pair of step-by-step switches each having a wiper contact, a set of stationary contacts for each wiper contact with the stationary contacts individually connected to said brakes, a solenoid means for each switch adapted to advance its wiper contact sequentially across its stationary contacts, said switches also having a normal position in which said wiper contact does not rest against any of the stationary contacts of the set and a pair of normally closed off-normal contacts adapted to be opened when the switch is at the normal position, motor-driven means for cyclically producing braking electrical impulses and stepping electrical impulses, means for connecting said braking impulses to said wipers, means for connecting stepping impulses to the solenoid means of one of said switches through its off-normal contacts Whereby said circuit is opened after said wiper is advanced across all of its stationary contacts to the normal position, and means for connecting stepping impulses to the solenoid of the second switch through its off-normal contacts after said first switch has advanced sequentially across its stationary contacts to the normal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,964,874 Fankboner July 3, 1934 2,068,014 Fulton Jan. 19, 1937 2,131,086 Arnett et a1. Sept. 27, 1938 2,463,028 Frist et a1. Mar. 1, 1949

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