US2737034A - Guide bar mechanism for warp knitting machines - Google Patents

Description

H. c. NOE 2,737,034

GUIDE BAR MECHANISM FOR WAR? KNITTING MACHINES March 6, 1956 2 sheets-sheet 1 NNN E Filed Jan. 14, 1953 March .6, 1956 H. c. NOE 2,737,034

GUIDE BAR MECHANISM FOR WARP KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 14, 1953 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Harold C. Noe

ATTORNEY United States Patent O GUIDE BAR MECHANISM FOR WARP KNITTING MACHINES Harold C. Noe, Upper Montclair, N. J., assignor to Kidde Manufacturing Co., Inc., Bloomfield, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application January 14, 1953, Serial No. 331,127

9 Claims. (Cl. 66-86) The present invention relates to warp knitting machines and the like, and, more particularly, to mechanism associated with the guide bar assembly of such machines.

Generally, the guide bar assembly of warp knitting machines is slidably supported by hangers on the guide bar rock shaft, and each guide bar has a rod or stud at one end thereof which is engaged by a pusher pad of the guide bar pattern control mechanism for moving the guide bar lengthwise in one direction. The guide bar element is urged against the pusher pad and the guide bar is, moved in the opposite direction by a strong spring adapted to exert force of about 50 to 100 pounds.

In the operation of such machines, the guide bars are rocked and traversed to lap the yarn on the needles whereby the guide bar pusher rods slide across the face of the pusher pads in an arcuate path while urged against the pads by the strong springs. In so rocking the guide bar pusher rods, the4 force applied to overcome the friction force resisting sliding movement must be of a considerable magnitude. Since this force is applied through some structure connected to the guide bars remotely located with respect to the pusher rods, there is a tendency to twist and/ or deflect the guide bars, whereby the yarn guides are moved out of their proper positions in relation to the needles during the knitting cycle and faulty knitting results as a consequence thereof.

The foregoing gives rise to a serious problem in connection with knitting machines operated at high speeds where it is desirable, if not imperative, that the mass of guide bar assembly be maintained at a minimum. Consequently, any attempt to reinforce the guide bars along the length thereof or to construct the guide bars more ruggedly increases their mass and defeats one of the prime requisites for high speed operation. Also, these forces, when exerted on the guide bars at high speeds may result in failure of the guide bars or permanent distortion of the guide bars and/or the yarn guides, whereby replacement of parts or repair thereof becomes quite frequent and the down time of the machine becomes greater with the result that the overall eiciency of the machine is greatly decreased.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide guide bar mechanism for warp knitting machines and the like which is not subject to the foregoing diculties and disadvantages.

Another object is to provide such mechanism which does not materially increase the mass of the guide bar elements operated by the guide bar rock shaft and thus is particularly adapted for machines operating at high speeds.

Another object is to provide such mechanism which prevents deflection of the guide bars in a reliable and practical manner.

Another object is to provide such mechanism which can be easily applied to either newly constructed or existing machines of various types.

kA further object is to provide such mechanism which is simple and economical in construction and cany readily 2,737,034 Patented Mar. 6, 1956 withstand such rough usage to which it may be subjected. Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodi-Y ment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employ-V upper end for securing the same to the rock shaft, and` having a transverse rib at its lower end for adjustably mounting the bearings. The return springs are adapted to extend through the opening of the frame.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, andv is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of a warp knitting machine embodying the present invention, illustrating the same as viewed from the front of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 on Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedsectional view taken along the line'3--3 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end view illustrating a spring mounting bracket.

Referring to the drawings in detail, there isV shown a portion of a warp knitting machine including an upright end frame 10, a guide bar rock shaft 11 having one end portion extending through an opening 12 in the frame 10, guide bar hangers 14 (only one partially shown) on the rock shaft for slidably supporting a guide bar assembly 15', guide bar pusher mechanism 16 for moving the guide bar lengthwise, and a return spring assembly 17 for the guide bar.

The guide bar'assembly 15 comprises two or more guide bars 19 (only one shown), yarn guides 20 attached to each guide bar, and a post 21 at the pusher end of each guide bar for mounting a pin 22 and a horizontally disposed pusher rod or stud 24.

The pusher mechanism 16 comprises a horizontal pusher bar slide block 25 mounted on the end frame 10 in the usual manner, pusher bars 26 (only one shown butV corresponding in number to the guide bars) adapted to be moved lengthwise with respect to the slide block by conventional patterning mechanism, and a pusher pad or plate 27 on each pusher bar having a face 28 for engaging the free end of one of the pusher rods 24.

The return spring assembly 17 comprises a bracket 29 (Fig. 4) mounted on the end portion of the rock shaft 11, hooks 30 (only one shown, but corresponding in number to the guide bars), and strong tension springs 31 having one end connected to one of the guide bar assembly pins 22 and having the other end connected to one of the hooks 30 whereby the pusher rods 24 are urged against their pads 27. As shown in Fig. l, the pusher rods and the springs extend through an opening 32 in the end frame 10.

While the elements of the guide bar assembly 15, the pusher mechanism 16 and the return spring assembly 17 have been illustrated singularly and only the endmost j hanger 14 is shown for sake of clearness and simplicity,

3v more completely disclosed which is of the general type the present invention aims t improve.

In order to prevent deection of the guide bars as contemplated by the present invention, structure for slidably receiving the pusher rods 24 and for preventing twisting thereof is provided between the posts 21 and the pusher pads 27. As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, this structure comprises a rigid frame-like bracket 34 having a clamp 35 at its upper end for rigidly securing the same same to the rock shaft for movement therewith and having a transverse rib 36 at the lower end thereof provided with bearing means for receiving the pusher rods 24. This frame is provided with an opening 37 through which the springs 31 extend (Fig. 2).

The clamp 3S as shown herein, is constructed in a manner to facilitate its attachment to and removal from the rock' shaft without disturbing the rock shaft journals or other structure carried by the rock shaft, thus demonstrating that the improvement in accordance with the present invention can be readily applied to existing niachines in the field.

In order to permit adjustment of the guide bars on the hangers for various knitting operations, the bearing means are in the form of a number of movable elongate plate-like members 39 having an aperture for receiving a bearing bushing 40 and having a slot 41. These members are removably and adjustably secured to the frame 34 by a clamping plate 42 and bolt 44 threaded into apertures of the rib and extending through apertures 46 in the clamping plate and through the slots' 41. This arrangement enables the bolts 44 to be loosened while setting up the knitting elements including the guide bars, whereby the bearing members 39 are moved into their position of adjustment and are maintained in such position upon tightening the bolts.

While the present invention has been illustrated by way of example in connection with a raschel knitting machine, it will be understood that it can also be applied to other types of warp knitting machines to prevent guide bar deection.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel and practical arrangement for supporting the guide bars at the pusher end to prevent twisting forces from deecting the same. This is accomplished in a simple and economical manner without unduly increasing the mass operated by the rock shaft. The pusher rod bearing holder frame is compact in arrangement and can be installed on either new or existing machines without redesigning or altering the knitting machine construction.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

I claim:

l. In a knitting machine of the class described, the combination of a guide bar rock shaft, a guide bar slidably supported on said rock shaft, a pusher rod at one end of said guide bar, pusher means for engaging said pusher rod to move said bar lengthwise, a rigid bracket mounted on said rock shaft for movement therewith having an opening therethrough and having bearing means for slidably receiving said pusher rod, a second bracket mounted on said rock shaft for movement therewith, and a spring for urging the free end of said pusher rod against said pusher means, said spring having one end connected to said second bracket and having the other end connected to said guide bar and extending through the opening of said first bracket.

2. In a knitting machine according to claim l,y wherein a-plurality of guide bars are provided each having a pusher rod engaged by said pusher means and slidably received by said bearing means, and a plurality of springs are pro` vided each having one end connected to one of said guide bars and having the other end connectedv to said secondbracket and extending through the opening of said first bracket.

3. In a knitting machine of the class described, the combination of a guide bar rock shaft, a plurality of guide bars, hangers on said rock shaft for slidably supporting said guide bars, a pusher rod at one end of each of said guide bars, pusher means for moving said guide bars lengthwise including pusher pads each for engaging the free end of one of said pusher rods, a spring having one end connected to each of said guide bars adjacentv its pusher rod for urging said pusher rods against their pusher pads, and a rigid structure mounted on said rock shaft for movement therewith having bearing apertures therein each for slidably receiving one of said pusher rods.

4. A knitting machine according in claim 3, wherein said rigid structure is a frame-like bracket having an opening therethrough.

5. A knitting machine according to claim 4, wherein a second bracket is mounted on said rock shaft for movement therewith, and said springs extend through the opening of said frame-like bracket and have their other end connected to said second bracket.

6. In a knitting machine of the class described, the combination of a guide bar rock shaft, a guide bar, hangers on said rock shaft for slidably supporting said guide bar,l a pusher rod at one end of said guide bar, pusher means for moving said guide bar lengthwise including a pusher pad for engaging the free end of said pusher rod, a rigid frame-like bracket mounted on said rock shaft for movement therewith having an opening therethrough and having a bearing for slidably receiving said pusher rod, a second bracket mounted on said rock shaft for movement therewith, and a spring for urging the free end of said pusher rod against said pusher pad, said spring having one end connected to said second bracketand having the other end connected to said guide bar and extending through the opening of said lirst bracket.

7. In a knitting machine of the class described, the combination of a side frame having an opening therethrough, a guide bar rock shaft having one end portion extending through said opening and outwardly beyond said frame, a guide bar having a pusher rod at the end adjacent said frame having said opening, hangers on said rock shaft for slidably supporting said guide bar, pusher means for moving said guide bar lengthwise including an element for engaging the end of said guide bar pusher rod, a bracket mounted on said rock shaft for movement therewith between said pusher means and said guide bar, said bracket having on opening therethrough and having bearing means through which said pusher rod extends, a second bracket mounted on said end portion of said rock shaft for movement therewith, and a spring for urging said guide bar pusher rod against said element, said spring having one end connected to said second bracket and having the other end connected to said guide bar and extending through said side frame and said first bracket openings.

8. In a knitting machine of the class described, the combination of a frame having an opening therethrough, a guide bar rock shaft having one end portion extending through said opening and outwardly beyond said frame, a plurality of closely adjacent guide bars each having a pusher rod at the end adjacent said frame opening, hangers nnsaid rock shaft for slidably supporting said guide bars, pusher means for moving said guide bar lengthwise including elements for engaging said guide bar pusher rods, a bracket mounted on said rock shaft for movement therewith between said pusher means and said guide bar, said bracket having an opening therethrough and having a plurality of closely adjacent bearings through which said pusher rods extend, a second bracket mounted on said end portion of said rock shaft for movement therewith, and a spring for each guide bar adapted to urge said guide bar pusher rod against said elements, said springs each having one end connected to said second bracket and having the outer end connected to its guide bar, said springs extending through said side frame and said rst bracket openings.

9. Mechanism for preventing the deection of theV guide bars of a knitting machine of the class described including guide bars each having a pusher rod thereon and a guide bar rock shaft, which mechanism comprises a rigid frame-like bracket having a clamp at the upper end thereof for rigidly securing the same to the guide bar 6 rock shaft of the machine and having a transverse rib at the lower end thereof, a plurality of members each having a bearing for slidably receiving a pusher rod of a guide bar, and means for adjustably securing said members to said rib.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Schonfeld et al. Dec. 29, 1942 Noe July 18, 1950

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