US2064869A - Stop motion - Google Patents

Description

W. A. ZIEVE Dec. 22, 1936.

STOP MOTION Filed June 12, 1935 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sror MOTION William A. Zieve, North Bergen, N, J. Application June 12, 1935, No. 26,195

10 Claims.

This invention relates to stop-motions, and is adapted generally for use in connection with machines of the type which depend for their proper operationon the presence and normal behavior oi a traveling flexible element in connection with which the machine is adapted to cooperate.

Although the invention is fundamentally such that it may be, adapted for various uses, it is herein illustrated as embodied in a stop-motion for knitting machines.

Generally stated, an important object of the invention is to provide a stop-motion which is simple in construction, reliable in operation and sensitive to abnormal conditions that may arise in connection with the traveling flexible element upon the presence and normal behavior of which the machine depends for its proper oper-' ation.

o Further and more particularly stated, .an important object of the invention is to provide a stop-motion for use with knitting machines which is not only simple in construction, reliable in operation and sensitive to abnormal conditions that may arise in mnnection with, the traveling flexible element, namely, the knitting thread, but which is also such as to allow the knitting requirements oi the machine to bemet when operating under its own momentum pursuant to any throw-out operation that may be effected incident, for example, to a running out or breaking of the knitting thread or to the setting up of an undue impedance to its travel such as may be occasioned by the existence oi a knotted or entangled thread at the bobbin? or other source of thread supply.

Other objects and advantages of .the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. l is a side elevation of a stop-motion embodying the present invention and particularly adapted for use in connection with a knitting machine; Fig. 2-is an elevation 01 the device of Fig. 1 as viewed from the left therein; Fig. 3 is a iragmental view showing in elevation the rear of the upper end of the device, particular reference being had to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a carriage unit and its associated thread guides.

Although as many 0! the devices the present invention may be associated with a given machine as are necessary to fully equip thatmachinaonlyonesuchdeviceisherein guide support 38,

illustrated, it being designed especially for a knitting machine, not shown, with which there may be associated one device for each knitting thread or "end" employed.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 in- 5 indicates a bracket, including a guide rail 8 terminating at its upper and lower ends in the arms 1 and 8, respectively, by which the device may be attached to a suitable part of a knitting machine. Secured to the upper arm 1 is a sheave 10 support or bracket Ill, having a spindle II on which is carried a sheave l2, of suitable material which is relatively light in weight. In line with the sheave I! is a similar sheave I, mounted on a spindle l5, secured to the lower end of a 1.5 tensioning arm l6, pivotally connected, as at H, to the arm 8, the upper end of the arm it being provided with an adjustable stop ill, in the form of a set screw, which carries a lock nut 20 and the lower end of which is adapted to engage the arm 8, as and for the purpose hereinafter more particularly described.

Carried on the guide rail 6, is a. slidable carriage 2i which includes a slide 22, the longitudinal margins of which are bent up so as to provide reinforcing ribs 24 extending substantially throughout the extent of the carriage. The slide 22 is provided at its upper and lower ends with wings 25, which are bent rearwardly and inwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5, so as to form a pair of guide sleeves 16, which are adapted to embrace the guide rail 6 and retain the carriage thereon for vertical movement.

Associated with the carriage 2|, is a pair of porcelain thread guides-21 and 28, through which a knitting thread 30 is adapted to travel from its source, such as a bobbin 3|, into the knitting machine tobe there acted on in the carrying out of the ordinary knitting operation. The thread guides 11 and 2| are held in alignment with each other and in association with the carriage II by a pair of U-shaped cradles l2 and 34, which are open at their upper ends so as to permit the guides to be easily placed in or removed from their functioning positions as occasion may require. The cradles 32 and 34 constitute parts of a threadwhich is constructed of suitable material, such as wire, and includes a connector element 36, terminating at its lower and upper ends in horizontally disposed arms 31 and 38, the former of which is formed integral with a vertical leg 40., with the upper end of which the cradle 32 is integrally formed, and the latter of which is integral with the cradle 34. The connector element 3. is accommodated intermediate the reinforcing ribs 24 and the thread-guide support in its entirety is held in a permanently fixed relation on the carriage 2| by a pair of wings 4| and 42 which are formed integral with the slide 22 and are .looped about the horizontally disposed arms 31 and 38 respectively.

In order that the carriage 2| may be normally held in its position shown in Fig. 1, it is connected in one reach of a cable-like element 43, in the form of a light but relatively strong cord which is carried by the sheaves I2 and I4, the other reach of the cable-like element being accommodated by openings 4|-44, in the upper and lower arms 1 and 8, and carrying an actuating weight 45. The actuating weight 45 is sufllciently heavy to normally maintain the carriage 2| in its position shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and yet sufficiently light to permit the carriage to move downwardly under the influence of any undue tension that may be set up in the knitting thread 30, as when a knotted or' entangled thread condition is encountered at the bobbin 3|.

The actuating weight 45 is herein shown as including a link 46, the lower or eyelet-end of which is connected to the cable-like element 43 and the upper or hook-like end of which is detachably connected to the adjacent end of the cable-like ele ment through the medium of a connector link 41. On the shankor stem portion of the link 46, are a plurality of disc-like weight elements in the form of ordinary washers 48, the number of l which may be varied in order to establish the overbalanced relation, in favor of the actuating weight 45 as against the carriage 2|, which is best suited to actual operating conditions. In this connection, it is to be noted that when a change over from a relatively heavy knitting thread to a relatively light knitting thread is made, it may be desirable to remove certain of the washers 48 so that the carriage 2| will move downwardly more readilyunder the influence of undue tension in the knitting thread; whereas if a change over from a relatively light thread to a relatively heavy thread is made, it may be desirable to sup ply additional washers 48 so as to render the carriage responsive to a predetermined tension of greater magnitude. By unhooking the upper or hook-like end of the link 46 from the connector link 47, certain of the washers 48 may be removed or other washers may be added as occasions may require, the number of washers and therefore the effectiveness of the weight 45 being governed or determined,at least in part, by the tensile strength of the knitting thread employed so as to insure downward movement of the carriage 2| under the action of thread-tension of a predetermined and somewhat less value than that which corresponds to the minimum tensile strength of the particular thread employed.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the point, considered in'terms of tensile strength of the knitting thread at which the carriage 2| will respond to undue tension set up in the knitting thread may be conveniently predetermined, thus renderingthe device capable of universal use, in

so far as the range in size or tensile strength of l the knitting threads is concerned.

In order that operation of the carriage 2|, or downward movement thereof under the influence of undue thread tension, or a break in the knitting thread or a run-out of such thread, may exercise a control-function in stopping the operation of the knitting machine, there is provided control means which may include a normally open switch S, housed within a switch box 50, supported as by a bracket connected to the arm 7, the switel'v box being conveniently located and having a doorlike closure 52 which may be opened in order to permit inspection of the switch, if and when desired. The switch S includes a terminal 54, secured to and insulated from the rear wall of the switch box, and connected to one end of a yieldable contact 55, in the form of a coil spring which is located within the switch box and is there adapted to be engaged by the upper horizontally disposed end 56 of a movable contact or switch arm 51.

The switch arm 51 is connected to a horizontally disposed shaft-like element 58, journalled in a bearing sleeve 60, carried by the rear wall 01' the switch box, the shaft-like element 58 being connected at a point outside of the switch box to a thread-engaging arm 8 I, normally disposed intermediate the thread guides 21 and 28 and there supported by that portion of the knitting thread 30 which bridges the space or gap intermediate such guides, whereby the switch arm 51 is held in open-circuit position as shown in Fig. 1. Inasmuch as the switch S may be employed in association with various types of throw-out mechanisms, among which may be mentioned magnetic clutches,- it is deemed unnecessary to indicate herein more than the actuating lever 52 of such a clutch, which, as will be observed from Fig. 1, is shown in association with a control circuit, including a magnet 84 which may be grounded to the frame work of the knitting machine, as shown at G, and connected through a source of electrical energy E by conductors 65 and 68 to the terminal 54 of the switch box 50, which in turn is grounded through the knitting machine when the device embodying the present invention is installed thereon.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the device when conditioned for use, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is adapted to exercise a positive control over the knitting machine to stop the same under abnormal operating conditions, as when the knitting thread runs out or is broken or is subjected to undue tension. In the event the thread runs out, or is broken, the threadengaging arm 6|, which is normally supported by such thread at a point intermediate the thread guides 21 and 28, is permitted to drop under its own weight, thereby moving the contact arm 51 into engagement with the contact 55 and thus closing the circuit through the magnet 64 to eiTect the stopping operation of the throw-out mechanism, not shown, through the instrumentality of its actuating lever 62 which is moved as an armature under the action of the magnet 64. Should the thread become subjected to undue tension resulting, for example, from a knotted or entangled thread condition at the source of supply, the carriage 2| will move downwardly, as the tensioned thread is supplied to or consumed by the knitting machine in the knitting operation, thus allowing the thread-engaging arm 6| to so move under the action of gravity as to effect engagement of the contact arm 5! with the contact 55 incident to which the throw-out mechanism, not shown, is actuated incident to energization of the magnet 84, as previously described.

Although the operation oi the device is described with respect to only a single unit, it will be understood that operation of the throw-out mechanism, of which the actuating lever 62 constitutes a part, may be effected in response to the operation of any one of a battery of the present devices, as will be readily understood when it is taken into account that all of the switch box aooaeoo taneous operation of the throw-out mechanism of which the actuating lever 62 forms a part.

Althoughonly one form of the invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, a flexible-element retaining unit mounted for translatory movement under the influence 'of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible element and with relation to which said flexible element is adapted to travel and by which such element is normally held in a deflnite path of movement, constant-force-ex ercising means tending to maintain said unit in a position corresponding to said deflnite path of movement and adapted to offer uniform resistance to translatory movement of said unit throughout its extent of travel as eifected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element, and throw-out-actuating-mechanism-control-means adapted to cooperate with and to be normally maintained in an ineflective position by said flexible element while that element is held in said deflnite path of movement and adapted to move to an effective position incident to translatory movement of said unit in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element.

2; In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, a guide, a flexibleelement retaining unit slidably mounted on said guide for translatory movement under-the influence of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible element and with relation to whichsaid flexible element is adapted to travel and by which such element is normally held in a deflnite path of movement, constant-force-exercising means tending to maintain said unit in a position corresponding to said deflnite path of movement and adapted to offer uniform resistance totranslatory movement of said unit throughout its extent of travel as eflected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element, and throw-out-actuating-mechanism control-means adapted to cooperate with and to be normally maintained in an ineffective position by said flexible element while that element is held in said definite path of movement and adapted to move to an efiective position incident to translatory movement of said unit in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element.-

3. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, a guide, a flexibleelement retaining unit slidably mounted onsaid guide for translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible element and by which such element is normally held in a supported position, constantforce-exercising means tending to maintain said unit together with said supported element in an elevated position on said guide and,adapted to offer uniform resistance to such downward movement of said unit together with said supported element as is effected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element and throw-out-actuating mechanism-control-means adapted to cooperate with and to be normally maintained in an ineffective position by said supported element prior to downward movement of said unit in response to abnormal tensionconditions in said flexible element and adapted to move to an effective position incident to such downward movement of said unit.

4.'In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, a flexible-element retaining unit mounted for translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible element and with relation to which said flexible element is adapted to travel and by which such element is normally held in a deflnite path of movement, constant lforceexercising means tending to maintain said unit in a position corresponding to said definite path of movement and adapted to offer uniform resistance to translatory movement of said unit throughout its extent of travel as eflected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element, and throw-out-actuating-mechanisrn-control-means adapted to cooperate with and to be normally maintained in an ineflective position by said flexible element while that 'element is held in said definite path of movement and adapted to move to an effective position incident to translatory movement of said unit in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element as well as incident to the release of normal tension in said flexible element.

5. In a stopmotion under the control of a travellng flexible element, a guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidably mounted on said guide for translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tension conditions. in said flexible element and with relation to which said flexible element is adapted to travel and by which such element is normally held in a deflnite path of movement, constant-force-exercising means tending to maintain said unit in a position corresponding to said definite path of movement and adapted to ofier uniform resistance to trans latory movement of said unit throughout its extent of travel as efl'ected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element,

and throw out actuating-mechanlsm-controlmeans adapted to cooperate with and to be normally maintained in an inefl'ective position by said flexible element while that element is held in said deflnite path of movement and adapted to move to an effective position incident to translatory movement of said unit in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element as well as incident to the release of normal tension in said flexible element.

6. In a stop-motion under the control of a .traveling flexible element, a guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidably mounted on said guide for translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible olesaid unit in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element and adapted to move to an elective position incident to such downward movement of said unit as well as incident to the release of normal tension in said flexible element.

7. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, a vertically disposed guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidably mounted on said guide for translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible element and by which such element is normally held in a supported position, said unit including a pair of guide elements spaced from each other and through which said flexible element is adapted to travel, constantforce-exercising means tending to maintain said unit together with said supported element in an elevated position on said guide and adapted to offer uniform resistance to such downward movement of said unit together with said supported element as is effected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element, and throw out-actuating-mechanismcontrolmeans including va switch unit comprising a switch-actuating arm normally supported and maintained in open-circuit position by that portion of said flexible element bridging the space intermediate said guide elements and adapted to move to closed-circuit position incident to down- -ward movement of said unit in response to abnormal tenslon-conditions in said flexible element.

8. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, a vertically disposed guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidably mounted on said guide for translatory movement under the influence of abnormal tension conditions in said flexible element and by which such element is normally held in a supported position, said unit including a pair of guide elements spaced from each other and through which said flexible element is adapted to travel, constantforce-exercising means tending to maintain said unit together with said supported element in an elevated position on said guide and adapted to offer uniform resistance to such downward movement of said unit together with said supported element as is effected in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element, and throw-out-actuating; mechanismcontrol-means including a switch unit comprising a switch-actuating arm normally supported and maintained in open-circuit position by that portion of said flexible element bridging the space intermediate said guide elements and adapted to move to closed-circuit position incident to downward movement 01' said unit in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element as well as incident to the release of normal tension in said flexible element.

9. In'a stoprnotion under the control .of a traveling flexible element, a vertically disposed guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidably mounted on said guide and by which such element is normally held in a supported position, said unit including a pair of guide elements spaced from each other and through which said flexible element is adapted to travel, a pair of sheaves one of which is supported at the upper cable-like element and tending to maintain said unit together with said supported element in an elevated position on said guide and adapted to move incident to downward movement of said unit together with said supported element in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element, and throw-out-actuatingmechanism-control-means including a switch unit comprising a switch-actuating arm normally supported and maintained in open-circuit position by that portion of said'flexible element bridging the space intermediate said guide elements and adapted to move to closed-circuit position incident to downward movement of said unit in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element.

10. In a stop-motion under the control of a traveling flexible element, a vertically disposed guide, a flexible-element retaining unit slidably mounted on said guide and by which such element is normally held in a supported position, said unit including a pair of guide elements spaced from each other and through which said flexible element is adapted to travel, a pairof sheaves one of which is supported at the upper end of said guide and the other of which is supported at the lower end thereof, a cable-like element carried by said sheaves and in one reach of which said unit is connected, an actuating weight r connected in the other reach of said cable-like element and tending to maintain said unit together with said supported element in an elevated position on said guide and adapted to move incident to downward movement of said unit together with said supported element in response to abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element, and throw-out-actuating-mechanism-control-means including a switch unit comprising a switch-actuating arm normally supported and maintained in open-circuit position by that portion of said flexible element bridging the space intermediate said guide elements and adapted to move to closed-circuit position incident to downward movement of said unit in response to .abnormal tension-conditions in said flexible element as well as incident to the release of normal tension in said flexible element.

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