US3420117A - Adjustable drive assemblies for textile coilers - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 7, 1969 Y a. w. GOSSETT 3,420,117

ADJUSTABLE DRIVE ASSEMBLIES FOR TEXTILE COILERS Filed July 25, 1967 E 5 I BRY AmWGossn;

United States Patent Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A drive assembly for textile coilers wherein the assembly is mounted for adjustment longitudinally and transversely of the coiler column and in spaced relation to the latter.

This invention relates to drive assemblies for textile coilers and more particularly to a novel manner of adjustably mounting the assembly so that it may be more quickly and efiiciently connected to the power take-01f of auxiliary textile units such as carding engines, draw frames, combers, and the like.

Heretofore, drive assemblies of the type mentioned above have been mounted for adjustment longitudinally and transversely of coiler columns by means of two interfacial connections extending respectively parallel to and transversely of the column axis (see Patent No. 2,891,- 412). Although this type of mounting has met with public acceptance, it has proven quite expensive to manufacture on account of the necessity of accurately machining the interfaces. Moreover, such conventional assemblies have become even more expensive and impractical as replacement parts on installed coilers since re-grinding of the connecting interfaces is often required to suit varied mill conditions.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an adjustable coiler drive assembly constructed and arranged to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

It is another object of invention to provide a coiler drive assembly mounted for adjustment longitudinally and transversely of the coiler column and in spaced relation to the latter by means of oppositely acting tension and compression elements.

It is another object of invention to provide a coiler drive assembly which is universally adjustable relative to the coiler column or pedestal.

Some of the objects of invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of the intermediate portion of a coiler column with a drive assembly mounted thereon in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional plan view taken along line 33 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional plan view similar to FIGURE 3, showing a modified form of mounting means for the assembly, and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional plan view similar to FIGURE 4, showing another modified form of assembly mounting means.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral denotes the intermediate portion of a textile coiler column or pedestal having a longitudinally disposed recess 11 therein in which a drive shaft 12 is mounted. A side opening 13 in the column communicates with the recess 11, said opening having vertically disposed slots 14 in its opposed edges. The above opening and slots cooperate with other elements as hereinafter described to universally mount a drive assembly 15 relative to and upon the column 10.

The drive assembly comprises a second drive shaft 17 which extends transversely of shaft 12 and through the side opening 13, said shafts being drivably connected by suitable means such as bevelled gears 20 and 21 adjustably mounted on shafts 18 and 19 by set screws 22 and 23 respectively. The shaft 12 is rotatably supported by a bracket 25 by means such as bearings 26 and 27. Similarly, the transverse shaft 17 is rotatably supported in the bracket 25 by bearings 28 and 29.

It will be observed that the assembly 15, when detached from column 10, has limited bodily rotation about vertical shaft 12, at which time, the transverse shaft 17 swings horizontally and at a fixed angle relative to the shaft 12. A proper installation requires the assembly to be securely anchored to column 10 so that this rotation will be prevented. Furthermore, the assembly must be secured to the column at such an elevation and in such position to cause the shaft 17 to precisely align with the power take-01f shaft (not shown) of an auxiliary textile unit; hence, the necessity of three dimensional or universal adjustment means.

In conventional drive assemblies, adjustments as to positions relative to the column and the vertical drive shaft therein are dependent upon two or more interfacial connections. These connections may comprise planar or curved coinciding surfaces, or both, but must be sufficiently precise to prevent lateral stresses in shafts corresponding to the reference numerals 12 and 17 in the present disclosure.

The present invention supports the assembly 15 upon, but in spaced relation to, the column 10 and therefore eliminates interfacial adjustment connections. Assembly bracket 25 is secured to the inside of column 10 by individually adjustable and oppositely acting tension and compression elements or screws 32 and 33 respectively (FIG- URES 1-3) whereby a vertical space 34 is provided between the proximate faces of members 10 and 25. Each tension element 32 penetrates a vertical slot 14 and is threadably secured in bracket 25; and each oppositely acting compression element 33 is threadably secured in column 10 and abuts the bracket.

By manipulating the tension and compression screws or bolts 32 and 33, the assembly may be adjusted to fixed positions relative to column 10 in any direction, that is, universal take-up or expansion of space 34 to precisely anchor the assembly relative to the column 10, the vertical drive shaft 12 and the power take-off shaft (not shown) to be coupled to shaft 17. Such precise adjustments may be made regardless of whether the proximate faces of members 12 and 25 are parallel, or angularly disposed, or rough or machined.

FIGURE 4- shows a modified form of the invention in which the assembly bracket 25a extends through column side opening 13a. Bracket 25a is adjustably anchored by threadably mounting compression elements 33 in the bracket with the ends thereof abutting the outer face of the column; and further, by tension elements 32 threadably mounted in the column and penetrating bracket slots 14a.

FIGURE 5 shows another modified form in which assembly bracket 25b is adjustably mounted by compression elements 33 threadably penetrating the bracket and abutting the inside face of the column; and by tension elements 32 penetrating bracket slots 14b and threadably engaging the column.

It will be observed in FIGURES 2 and 3 that the bracket 25 forms a lubrication compartment 24 enclosing bevelled gears 20 and 21, said compartment being pro vided with an access cover 24a removably secured in position by stud bolts 24b.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of invention being defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a textile coile-r having a hollow column member with a side opening therein, and a drive shaft extending longitudinally within said member, a drive assembly comprising a second drive shaft extending transversely of said member and through said opening, a gear mounted on and adjustable longitudinally of said first shaft, a second gear meshing with said first gear and mounted on said second shaft, a bracket member adjustable longitudinally of said first shaft and supporting said gears and said second shaft, and means for universally mounting said bracket member relative to said column member.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said universally mounting means includes adjustable tensioned elements for urging said members toward one another, and adjustable compression elements for resisting said tensioned elements.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said compression elements includes a bolt threadably engaging one of said members and abutting the other of the members, and wherein said tensioned elements includes a second bolt threadably engaging said member disposed opposite said threadably engaged member and abutting the other member.

4. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said compression and tensioned elements support said bracket member in spaced relation to said column member.

5. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket member includes a lubrication compartment enclosing said first and second gears.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 925,652 6/1909 Rippy 74-417 2,891,412 6/ 1959 Jackson 74-423 3,085,497 4/1963 Statia 74-423 X DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

LEONARD H. GERIN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 74--1 1, 606

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