US503462A - Let-off mechanism for looms - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet 1. A. D. EMERY.

'LET-OFP MEGHANISM FOR LOOMS No. 503,462. Patented Aug. 15, 1893.

' (No Model.) Sheath-sheet 2.,

A. D. EMERY. LET-OPF MEGHANISM 'POR LOOMS.

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LET-OPF MEGHANISM FR LOOMS.

No. 503,462. Patented Aug. 15, 1893.

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IUNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

ABRAM D. EMERY, OF TAUN TON, MASSACHUSETTS.

LET-OFF MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,462, dated August 15, 1893.

Application iiled April 25, 1891. Renewed December l, 1892. Serial No. 453,689. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ABRAM D. EMERY, of Taunton, Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Let-Off Mechanism for Looms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention embraces, first, the combination of the whip roller of a loom with a relatively light spring for opposing a prescribed small resistance to that portion of the rocking movement of the whip roller induced by the pull of the warp threads during the formation of the sheds; and a relatively strong spring for opposingincreasing resistance to the continued rocking movement of the whip roller induced by the greater pull of the warp threads during the beating up of the weft. The Warp threads are thus held under modcrate tension except when the beat takes place, during which they are subjected to rapidly The invention embraces, secondly, a let-off which is automatically regulated in its operation by the varying diameter of the warp roll as the weaving operation proceeds; the organization being such as to aord convenient facilities for manually setting the let-off to start the loom, and subsequently adjusting it as may be required to accommodate it to changed hygrometric conditions of the atmosphere. The varying warp tension devices and the self regulating let-off may be independently employed, or they may be associated in the same loom, as illustrated in the ac companying drawings, which are as follows:

Figure l is an elevation of a portion of the side of a loom for simultaneously weaving two fabrics side by side, symbolically representing a double shed formed of four groups of warp threads fed from a single warp roll over a single whip roller, showing the devices for administering tension to the warp threads and for automatically operating the let-oitl in the positions which they respectively occupy at the instant when the beat is about to be given. Fig. 2 is a side elevation similarto Fig. 1, except that it shows the tension and let-off devices in the positions which they occupy immediately before the beat is given, while the groups of Warp threads are being reversed in position to form the next double shedding. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 4 is a horizontal section take-n through the plane indicated by the dotted line :c on Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively front and side elevations showing two whip rollers geared to each other and mounted respectively upon the cross bars of a rectangular frame adapted to rock upon a horizontal axis, and having affixed to one of its trunnions the radius arm which in Figs. 1 and 2 is represented as affixed to the shaft of the single whip roller therein shown, the object of Figs. 5 and (i` being toillustrate the applicability of the present improvement in let-od mechanism to the double Whip roller system shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 443,612, to A. D. Emery, dated December 30, 1890.

These improvements are applicable to looms in which a single whip roller is employed, au example of which is shown and described in pending application, Serial No. 367,480, led October 9, 1890; and they are also applicable to looms employing two whip rollers geared together so that if either whip roller is rocked upon its axis the other whip roller is at the same time necessarily rocked upon its axis in `the opposite direction, as shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 443,612, to A. D. Emery, dated December 30, 1890. W'hen a single whip roller is employed its shaft or trunnion at one end has affixed to it a downwardly dependent radius arm which sways to and fro when the whip roller rocks, and which constitutes the actuator of the letoff mechanism as shown and described in pending application, Serial No. 373,390, filed December 2, 1890. When the double whip roller system is employed the two whip rollers are mounted respectively upon the two horizontal members of a rectangular frame provided at its ends with central trunnions which afford an axis upon which the whip roller system rocks without any rocking of the two whip rollers upon their individual axes. In this case the radius arm which constitutes the actuator of the let-off mechanism is aiixed to one of the trunnions of the rectangularframe. inasmuch as in all cases the swaying movement of the said radius arm results from the beating movement of the lay, the said radius arm may be regarded as being affixed to whatever constitutes the main axis of the Whip IOO Yroller system; it being understood that the said main axis is the axis of the Whip roller itself when a single whip roller is employed and is the axis of the rectangular frame upon which the whip rollers are mounted when two whip rollers are employed.

Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings represent a portion of the side frame, a, of a loom in which the warp threads fed from a single warp roll, b, to a single whip roller, c, are led over the outer bar, c', and under the inner bar, c2, of the whip roller to the devices for separating them into groups and forming such groups into sheds as for example to the lease rods, d, d", and e, e', by which the warp threads are separated into the four groups required for weaving side by side the. two fabrics @,f. The shaft or trunnion, c3, of the whip' roller has affixed to it the downwardly extending radius arm, g, which is provided at the bottom with a lug, g. The lug, g', is transversely perforated to admit of the extension through it of the pawl setting rod, h, provided with the preferably adjustable collar, h', for receiving the impact of the lug, g', when the swaying movement is imparted to the radius arm, g, by the upward pull upon the warp threads caused from the beat. The setting rod, h, is pivotally connected to the radius arm, vl, projecting inwardly from the pawl carrying disk, j, loosely mounted upon the lower end of the vertical worm spindle, 7c. The pawls, j and 72, are adapted to engage the ratchet whee17`3, affixed to the worm lo', and loosely turning on the spindle, k. The disk, is-alsoprovided with a radius-arm, 5'4, to which is attached one end of the contracting spiral spring, e7'5 the opposite end of which is secured to the frame ofthe loom. The contracting force of the spring, j5, thrusts the setting rod, h, forward and keeps the free end, h2, of the setting rod against the face of the involute cam, l, provided with the concentrically curved flange, Z', to which is adjustably fastened one end of the strap, m. The opposite end of the strap m, is secured to a crank arm, m', affixed to a rock shaft, m2,5 to which is also affixed the governorlever ,m3, the free end of which bears upon and is supported by the surface of the roll of warp, and is consequently permitted to fall as thewarp roll gradually diminishes in diameter during the continuance of the weaving operation. The falling of the actuating arm, m3, and the consequent rocking of the crank arm, m', slacks the strap,m, and permits the involute cam, Z, to rock upon its axis in obedience to the force of gravity. Such rockingof theinvolutecam,l,di i

automatically produced increase in the ranges of movement imparted to the setting rod h, as the warp roll gradually diminishes in diameter. The worm, 7c', affixed to the ratchet wheel, j, and loosely mounted upon the worm spindle, k, engages the worm wheel, k2 affixed to the countershaft, kto which there is also affixed the pinion, 7a4, which meshes with the teeth of the cog-wheel, 765, affixed to the shaft of the warp roll, b. Owing to the described gradual increase in the range of motion of the setting bar, h, there is a corresponding increase in the extent of rotation imparted to the warp roll, the ratio of which is inversely proportional to diminution of the warp roll in diameter, so that the warp threads are delivered from the warp roll at a uniform rate. In the let-off mechanism described in the hereinbefore mentioned pending application, Serial No. 373,390, manually adjustable devices are employed for regulating the delivery of the warp. In the present case not only is the let-off governed automatically, but the governing mechanism affords peculiarly convenient facilities for setting the let-off when the loom is to be started, and for altering the let-off whenever changed hygrometric conditions or other causes may render such alterations desirable. Such alterations are effected by loosening the clamp, m6, so as to loosen the strap, m, and by then turning the governor cam in one direction or the other, as may be required, and again clamping the strap to the concentric segment, Z. This amounts to the same thing as either lengthening or shortening the strap, fm., and has the effect of either increasing or diminishing the range of movement imparted to the setting rod, h, by the inward sway of the radius arm, g, at the time of the beat. Y

The devices for administering the varying` tension to the warp threads embrace first the primary expanding spiral spring, n, abutting at its rear end against the fixed standard, d', and surrounding the rod, n', and abutting at its forwardend against the recessed nut, n2, screwed on to the rod, n. tion of the rod, in', is turned down to form the stem, n3, and present an annular shoulder, n4, for bearing against the adjacent end of a lug, ns, projecting from the radins arm g. The lug, m5, is perforated to admit of the extension through it of the stem,n3. The expanding spring, n, is proportioned with reference to making the force of its thrust against the radius arm, g, sufficient to rock the inner bar or bars of the whip-roller or whip-rollers downward and administer a moderate tension to the wa rp threads during the intervals between the beats, the said spring n exerting a moderate force upon the whip roller in opposition to the force exerted thereon by the warp threads during the formation of the sheds. When the beat takes place the upward pull of the warp threads causes the radius arm, g, to sway backward and to further compress the expanding spring, n. At the commence- The forward porment of the beat, the radius arm, f, has acquired substantially the position in which it is represented in Fig. l, and its farther backward movement is then resisted by the secondary expanding spiral spring, o, abutting at its rear end against the standard, a', and surrounding the rod, o, and abutting at its forward end against the recessed nut, 02, screwed onto the rod, o. The forward end of the rod, o, is screw threaded and has screwed on to it the two nuts, o3 and 04, the latter of which acts as a jam nut to hold the nut, oa, in the position to which it may have been adjusted with reference to having it bear at the proper time against the end of the lug, o5, projecting from the face of the radius arm, g. rlhe lug, 05, is perforated to allow the extension through it of the forward end, o6, of the rod, o. The rear end, o7, of the rod, o', eX- tends through an aperture in the standard, a', and is provided with the jam nuts, o8 and o". It will be seen that by altering the position of the jam nuts, o8 and o9,the tension of the secondary spring may be varied at will, and that altering the position of the jam nuts, o3 and o4, alters the stage in the backward swaying movement of the radius arm, g, at which it commences to encounter the resistance of the secondary spring.

It has heretofore been proposed to use a weight for giving added tension to the warp threads at the instant of the beat; but the employment of thespring for this purpose, as herein shown, is not only advantageous because of the greater facility and convenience with which the spring may be applied, but because the spring performs functions which the weight is incapable of. Thus the spring, o, opposes an increasing resistance to the backward sway of the radius arm, g. A weight requires to be moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the force which gravity exerts upon it, and hence in a quick running loom a weight, after having been lifted, will not fall with the necessary quickness. There is not time enough after one beat for the momentum of the upwardly moving weight to be overcome by gravity and for the weight to fall back to its normal position before the next beat occurs. On the contrary, the spring, o, when compressed by the backward sway of the radius arm, g, exerts its resilient force continuously and hence instantaneously thrusts the radius arm, g, forward at the conclusion of the beat. Therefore, however rapidly the loom runs, the tension-exertin g devices herein shown are always in action and in readiness to perform their functions at every beat.

Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings illustrate the manner of applying the present improvements in a loom employing two whip-rollers, p and 1J', geared to each other and mounted in the cross bars of a rectangular frame, p2, provided with trunnions, p3, which constitute the main axis of the whip-roller system. Fig. 5 shows one of the trunnions, p, projecting through its bearing in the frame, A, of the loom, and having rigidly mounted upon it the hollow hub of the radius arm, g. Fig. 6 illustrates a form of shedding in connection with which two whip-rollers are employed. The effect of the beat is to pull upward the innerbars of both whip-rollers,p and p and to thus cause the rectangular frame, p2, to rock upon its axis, p3, and to sway the radius arm, g, in a rearward direction and thereby give motion to the setting rod, h, of the let-off gear.

As will be obvious, the radius arm, g, performs the same functions with relation to the double whip roller system as those which it performs with relation to the single whiproller; hence the trunnion, c3, of the single whip roller and the trunnion, p3, of the rectangular fraine in which the two whip-rollers are mounted are, for the purposes of the present invention, to be regarded as equivalents and as constituting in either case the main axis of the whip-roller system.

What is claimed as the invention is-- l. The combination of the whip roller system of a loom with a primary spring adj usted to exert a moderate force upon said whip roller system in opposition to the force exerted thereon by the warp threads during the formation of the sheds, and a secondary spring adjusted to exert an additional and increasing force upon said whip roller system in opposition to the force exerted thereon during the beat.

2. The combination, as herein described, of the radius arm g, aiiixed to the main axis of the whip roller system of a loom, the spring n and connections between the same and the whip roller system, the rod o', the nut o3 adj ustable on said rod for regulating its operative length and the secondary spring o for operating upon said rod only at the instant of the beat, substantially as described.

3. In a loom for weaving, the combination of let-off gearing, means for operating said gearing, a regulator cam for varying the range of operation of said means for operating said gearing, a governor lever adapted to bear upon and be supported by the surface of the roll of warp, and connections between the govorner-lever and cam, consisting of the rockshaft m2, crank-arm m mounted on said shaft, strap m connecting said arm and cam, and adj usting-clamp mG for coupling the strap and cam, whereby the governor-lever not only controls the movement of the cam and the let-off as the warp roll diminishes in diameter, but provision is made for conveniently adjusting the let-off to compensate for varying conditions of the warp threads due to atmospheric changes or other causes.

4f. The combination of a warp-roll, a gov ernor-lever adapted to bear upon and be supported by the surface of the roll of warp, a regulator' cam, and suitable adjustable connections between the governor-lever and the regulator cam, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination of a warp rol1,a gov- IIO ernor-lever adapted to bear upon and be supported by the surface of the roll 0f Warp, the setting-bar h, the radius arm g, connected directly to the Whip roller system, the regula.- tor cam and adjustable connections between the governor and the cam, substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination of a Warp roll, the governor-lever ma, adapted to bear upon and be supported by the surface of the Warp 1011, the 1o rock shaft, m2, the crank arm m', the strap, m, the invoiute cam, Z, andthe clampmt, for adjustably connecting the cam, Z, to the strap, fm, as and for the purposes set forth.

ABRAM D. EMERY. Witnesses:

H. J. FULLER, A. M. JONES.

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