US3256914A

US3256914A - Weaving method and pneumatic loom

Info

Publication number: US3256914A
Application number: US250200A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hortmann Erich Walter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-12-22
Filing date: 1962-12-24
Publication date: 1966-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-21
Also published as: GB1033060A; DE1535450A1; CH450313A

Description

June 21, 1966 E. w. HORTMANN WEAVING METHOD AND PNEUMATIC LOOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 24. 1962 INVEN TOR Era-.4 (116M flaw/m MM Jam,

ATTORNEY June 21, 1966 w. HORTMANN WEAVING METHOD AND PNEUMATIC LOOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 24, 1962 June 21, 1966 E. w. HORTMANN WEAVING METHOD AND PNEUMATIC LOOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 24. 1962 ATTORNEY June 21; 1966 E. w. HORTMANN 3,256,914

WEAVING METHOD AND PNEUMATIC LOOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 24. 1962 June 21, 1966 E- w. HORTMANN WEAVING METHOD AND PNEUMATIC LOOM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 24, 1962 INVENOR. 17k U4 (for h f n ll-Lad f r-7'42 w w\ 6R Isl x Q N \w June 21, 1966 E. w. HORTMANN 3,256,914

WEAVING METHOD AND PNEUMATIC LOOM Filed Dec. 24, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 E 75 V i 54 J7 9'/ I 4' a1 J9 FIG/5 "VIII/I" United States Patent 3 256,914 WEAVING METHOD AND PNEUMATIC LOOM Erich Walter Hortmann, Schotten, Germany, assignor to Albert Hortmann, Schotten, Germany Filed Dec. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 250,200 Claims priority, application Germany, Dec. 22, 1961,

H 44,469 9 Claims. (Cl. 139-125) The present invention relates to a weaving method, and to a pneumatic loom for carrying out the method of the invention.

Pneumatic looms are known in which a weft thread is drawn from a spindle package and blown by a stream of air through a warp shed. Suction is applied to the other side of the thread, but it is diflicult to transport the weft through the shed without occasional disturbances. In shuttleless pneumatic looms of this type, the weft is cut off at the edge of the shed, so that no selvedges are formed.

It is one object of the invention to overcome disadvantages of known pneumatic looms, and of methods for operating pneumatic looms, and to provide a method for operating a pneumatic loom in a reliable and efiicient manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic loom of simple construction which produces a woven fabric provided with selvedges.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pneumatic loom in which a shuttle carries a measured length of weft thread.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic loom with a dispensing device dispensing measured lengths of weft thread corresponding to the width of the woven fabric.

Another object of the present invention is to dispense a measured length of weft thread corresponding to twice the width of the fabric so that a shuttle transporting the measured length of Weft thread through two sheds, lays two wefts.

With these objects in view, a weaving method according to the present invention comprises the steps of dispensing a measured length of weft thread from a supply of weft threadlocated on one side of a warp shed; blowing at least a part of the measured length of the weft thread into a hollow shuttle; moving the shuttle from one side of the shed to the other side of the shed while holding the weft thread on one side of the shed so that a portion of the measured length forms a weft in the shed; and cutting the weft thread on said one side.

The dispensed and measured length of weft thread corresponds to twice the width of the warp shed, and the shuttle is moved in return movement through another shed so that the part of the weft located in the shuttle is drawn out of the shuttle and forms another weft in another shed.

A double length of weft thread may be blown into the shuttle, and drawn out during travel of the shuttle in opposite directions through two sheds.

The weft thread is inserted into the shuttle by means of a nozzle which is spaced from the edge of the fabric, so that a piece of weft thread extends between the nozzle and the cutting means after the weft thread has been cut. Preferably, the cut off end piece of the Weft thread is retracted to the nozzle so that the nozzle is ready for insertion of another measured length of weft thread into a shuttle.

The dispensing operation which is effected by a dispensing device may still be carried out while the shuttle travels the first time through a shed.

The dispensing of the measured length of weft thread, and the insertion into the shuttle is preferably carried out at the same time.

In a modified embodiment of the invention, the measured length of weft thread is first blown into a storage means, and then blown from the storage means into the shuttle. In this embodiment, the dispensing device is preferably mounted on the frame of the shuttle, and connected with a nozzle by a flexible hose. In another embodiment, the dispensing device is mounted on the slay of the loom.

The start of the dispensing operation, and the start of the blowing of the weft thread by the nozzle, is controlled by a sensing means which detremine thearrival of an empty shuttle in the region of the nozzle.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The inveniton itself, however,'both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a loom according to one embodiment of the invention as seen from one side;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a shuttle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the shuttle;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the dispensing device as seen from the other side of the loom;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation illustrating the dispensing device in an operational position at the end of a dispensing operation;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation corresponding to FIG. 5, but illustrating another operational position of the dispensing device at the end of an operation withdrawing a part of the weft thread;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially in section, illustrating a detail of a weft inserting nozzle;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a modified shuttle;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the shuttle illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG.10 is a perspective view, partially in section illustrating the insertion of a weft thread into the shuttle;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation illustrating one side of a loom according to a modified embodiment in the operational position directly after the beat of the reed;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side elevation illustrating the loom of FIG. 11 as viewed from the other side, and in the same operational position;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the dispensing device used in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 is'a fragmentary, partially sectional view, illustrating a mechanism for winding up the spring-loaded dispensing device of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of a shuttle according to the present invention.

The drawings illustrate a basically conventional loom with two shuttle boxes on either side, which is adapted according to the present invention to operate with two shuttles of which one has its starting position in the upper left shuttle box, and the other has its starting position in the right upper shuttle box, the two shuttles traveling alternately to the lower right and to the lower left shuttle box, respectively, to change the weft color accordingto a 1:1 or 2:2 program. In accordance with the invention, the shuttles do not carry bobbins, but each shuttle is supplied with a measured length of weft thread suflicient for two picks, and consequently corresponding to twice the width of the woven fabric. At least a part of the weft required for the second pick is inserted into each shuttle while the same is on one side of the loom, while the length of weft required for the first pick, may be dragged by the shuttle, or supplied during the travel of the shuttle through the first shed. However, if the shuttles stay sufiiciently long on one side of the loom, as will be the case during a 2:2 weaving operation, the entire length of weft thread necessary for two picks will be deposited in the shuttle.

It is also possible to charge the shuttle with part of the weft thread, start the travel of the shuttle to the other side of the shed, and to supply the rest of the necessary length of weft thread during the travel of the shuttle through the first shed.

At the moment in which a shuttle arrives in its initial position, a measured length of weft thread is blown into the shuttle by a nozzle. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a weft thread 27 passes through a nozzle 5 mounted on a support and guide plate 67 and supplied with air under pressure from a

tubular connection

3, 65. As shown in FIG. 10, the nozzle 5 blows the weft thread into an opening 41 on the side of a hollow shuttle.

A dispensing device is provided for drawing the weft thread from a

spindle package

33 or 34 connected by a thread 35, and for dispensing a measured length of weft thread to the nozzle. When the weft has been inserted, it is cut off at the edge of the fabric by a cutting means 51, and the dispensing device is operated to pull back the dispensed thread a distance corresponding to the distance between the nozzle 5, see FIG. 1, and the cutting means 51, shown in FIG. 4, so that the end of the thread is located at the nozzle, and can be properly inserted into a shuttle during a following inserting operation.

FIGS. 1, 4, Sand 7 illustrate one embodiment of the invention in which the nozzle 5 is mounted on the upper shuttle box, and in which the dispensing devicewith the measuring drum 1 is mounted on the slay by means of a base plate 64. The pressure air is supplied to nozzle 5 by bellows 21 in a timed relation to the shuttle operation so that air is supplied to nozzle 5 at the moment in which a weft thread has been dispensed and is to be inserted or blown into the shuttle.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6, the dispensing device includes a turnable drum 1, which is conical for adjustment of the dispensed length of the thread, and which has a rubber cover 2. An adjustable thread guide 6, a pressure roller 8, a guide means 66 for the thread, adjustable on a holder 44, and a thread guide 4 are provided as also shown in FIG. 12.

A spring motor drives the dispensing device and includes a spring housing 43 with a main spring 52 which is intermittently wound up. A winding lever 49 is secured to a pulley 76 mounted freely turnable on shaft 78 and having a bracket 77 carrying a ratchet pawl 7, as best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14. During reciprocation of the slay, lever 49 runs against roller 50 on the breast beam of the loom and is angularly displaced in clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 14. A band 79 is secured to pulley 76 by a screw 76a and also to a wind-up spring 46 so that the same is tensioned during the clockwise stroke of lever 49. A ratchet 75 is secured to shaft 78 to which main spring 52 is attached, and prevented from turning in clockise direction by a locking pawl 75a. When lever 49 separates from roller 50, spring 46 turns lever 49 in counterclockwise direction so that pawl 7 turns ratchet 75 with shaft 78 and main spring 52 to wind up the main spring, unless the latter is tensioned so highly that the force of wind up spring 46 is insufiicient to turn shaft 78, in which event lever 49 remains in its Wound up position, until the main spring has run down.

Main spring 52 is secured to a journal shaft at 52a, and to spring housing 43 at 52b.

The spring housing 43 is turned by main spring 52 a single revolution during each operation, and is connected by gear means 61 and 62 with the measuring drum 1 so that the same performs the number of revolutions necessary for dispensing a certain length of weft thread. The dispensing device has control means, as follows:

A stop 55 is provided on the spring housing 43 and includes a stop roll 74 cooperating with a stop book 57 as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 13. Stop hook 57 is pivotally connected with one arm of a double-armed lever 53 whose other end is attached to the catch and return spring 45.

Stops

58 and 60 limit the movement of the double-armed lever 53, the upper stop 58 determining the terminal stop,

position of stop hook 57 for each dispensing operation, while the lower stop 69 determines the position of stop hook 57 before stopping a dispensing movement.

FIG. 6 illustrates a dispensing device and its control means in an intermediate position which is at the same time the starting position before the beginning of a dispensing operation. Stop hook 57 holds stop roll 74 and spring housing 43 against the action of main spring 52. When release rod 56 is operated in the direction of the arrow, stop hook 57 releases stop roll 74 so that doublearmed lever 53 with stop hook 57 are turned by spring 45 to engage stop while spring housing 43 is driven by main spring 52 to cause a rapid rotation of measuring drum 1 through

gears

61 and 62. Return stop arm 54 is pushed aside by roll 74.

After a little less than one revolution of the spring housing, stop hook 57 is again engaged by roll 74 and is taken along due to the inertia of the measuring drum which is braked, until engages stop 58 of double-armed lever 53 whereby the spring housing and thereby the measuring drum 1 are stopped, while arresting lever 59 snaps .under stop 55, due to spring 59a, as shown in FIG. 5. In this position, the return spring 45 is tensioned, and a measured length of weft thread has been dispensed, including a piece of weft thread extending from nozzle 5 to the edge of the fabric.

When the weft has been beaten into the fell of the fabric, the weft thread is cut off at the edge of the fabric and at the outermost warp thread by cutting device 51, shown in FIG. 4. A guide thread 71, which is controlled by a loom part, guides the weft thread to the cutting de vice 51.

When the slay performs its return movement arresting lever 59 is pulled off stop 55 by a release hook 48 displaced by a small roll 47 on the breast roll, so that return spring 45 turns the dispensing device and drum 1 against the action of the main spring 52 in the opposite direction until stop 55 abuts the spring-loaded return stop arm 54. Due to this opposite rotation, measuring drum 1 draws the cut off end of the dispensed weft thread from cutting means 51 and the edge of the fabric back to the nozzle outlet. At the same time, release hook 48 is raised out of the region of roll 47 so that the dispensing device is again in its initial position shown in FIG. 6.

The distance which the Weft thread is retracted toward the nozzle, can be adjusted by adjustment of the return stop arm 54 toward or away from stop 55.

As long as the weft thread has not been retracted, the dispensing device is locked by a stop screw 73 shown in FIG. 5 against which the stop hook 57 abuts to prevent an undesired release of the dispensing device at this moment.

The start of a dispensing operation by the forward rotation of the drum 1, takes place simultaneously with the operation of the bellows 21 which is tensioned by a spring 16 acting on a member 17 pivoted at 19. In the initial position, compression of the bellows 21 is prevented since a locking lever 13 engages roll 18 on member 17.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the entire device is mounted on the slay, and reciprocates with the same. An actuating hooli. member 14 is turnably mounted on pivoted member 17, and cooperates with a bolt 15 mounted on the frame of the loom so that the bellows 21 is again expanded when the slay moves forward and member 14 is hooked to bolt 15 and prevents movement of member 17 with the slay. The outlet means 22 of bellows 21 is connected by a hose 3 and a sleeve with nozzle 5, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The guide sheet 66 controls and guides together with plate 67 the weft 27 to prevent entanglement in the event that the weft thread is supplied too rapidly.

A starting impulse is given by a shuttle 72 arriving at the shuttle box and displacing a tongue 109 on which a forked part 12b on one end portion of a sensing lever 12 rests so that lever 12 is angularly displaced about pivot 12a of a universal joint. An adjustable abutment member 10 is provided which shifts a hook member 9 to start thedispensing device through a lever and the release rod 56 as described with reference to FIGS. and 6, when shifted by the displaced tongue 109. The other end of the turned sensing lever 12 raises through lever 20, link 23, lever 25 and link 24 the actuating hook member 14 of the bellows to release bolt 15 so that pivoted member 17 is released, and the bellows 21 blow air into nozzle 5. The end of lever 12 also engages the vertical arm of the bellcrank lever 13 and turns the same about pivot 13a so that the horizontal locking arm of lever 13 is raised out of the path of roller 18.

Since sensing lever 12 moves up and down with the shuttle boxes, it is mounted in a universal joint, and has part-circular end portions.

A handle 11 is provided for turning the pivoted forked part 12b of sensing lever 12 to an inoperative position which permits the manual insertion of a shuttle into the upper shuttle box without actuation of the dispensing device and air pressure supplying means 21. The operation is started after insertion of the shuttle into the shuttle box, by turning the end portion of sensing lever 12 back to its sensing position embracing tongue 109.

When the dispensing device is stopped, it is necessary to maintain the weft thread in tensioned position, and to prevent the feeding of an additional length of thread due to inertia. The portion of the weft thread between the supply spindle package 33 and the dispensing drum 1 is loaded by a ring-shaped weight 29. This weight is also operative to take up slack when the measuring drum 1 performs a turning movement for withdrawing the weft thread. A U-shaped member 28 is mounted on the frame portion 31 and supports two rods 30 extending at a very small angle to each other. Ring 29 surrounds rods 30, and slides along the same due to the action of gravity. The weft thread 27 from

spindle packages

33 or 34, passes through an eye of a holder 32, over the thread brake 26, between rods 30 and through ring 29 to the dispensing device so that the weft thread is guided in a direction transverse to the direction of oscillation of the slay which results in the least influence of the reciprocating slay on the thread letoff from the

spindle package

33 or 34.

Referring now to the loom illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 15, a dispensing device is provided on the left side and on the right side of the loom, and the dispensing devices are mounted on the frame. Since the shuttle boxes oscillate with the reciprocating slay, a flexible hose 100 connects the stationary dispensing devices with the nozzle 89 which is mounted on the shuttle box. The weft thread dispensed from the dispensing device is stored temporarily in hose 100 which thus constitutes a storage device for the thread. An axiliary nozzle 88 is arranged at the dispensing device, and blows the weft thread into the hose 100 which is provided with perforations permitting the air to escape, while the weft thread is transported to the main nozzle 89, and from there inserted into the empty shuttle arriving at the shuttle box. The part of the weft thread which is still in the hose when the shuttle travels through the shed, is pulled out of the hose by the shuttle.

- FIG. 11 shows a stored thread portion 101 in hose 100. Nozzle 88 inserts an additional thread portion into the hose until the measuring drum stops, while nozzle 89, which started to blow 1% turns of the main shaft later, has started to blow the weft thread into the shuttle, and at the same time pulls the weft thread out of the hose so that the amount of thread stored in the hose decreases although additional thread is supplied from the dispensing device. Consequently, during the pick, the entire stored weft thread is drawn out from the hose, unless the measshaft.

uring drum stops before that. Nozzles 88, 89 are constructed as shown for nozzle 5 in FIG. 7 and have inner thread-guiding parts and outer annular air passages communicating with an air supply pipe 99.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the measuring of the weft thread is not started at the beginning of the insertion of the weft thread into the shuttle, but al ready when the cut off end of the weft thread is withdrawn, and directly after the beat of the first picked weft of the length of weft thread previously measured and dispensed.

For this purpose, the stop book 57 carries a roll 81 which urges through a member the stop hook 57 away from roll74 when the thread is pulled back, so that directly after abutment of stop 55 on the return stop arm 54, the dispensing operation is started. Consequently, the rearward movement of the dispensing drum 1, which has just started in the position of FIG. 12, will immediately be followed by the next dispensing and measuring operation.

The dispensing device illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 operates in substantially the same manner as the dispensing device described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6,, 13 and 14. The wind-up spring 46 is tensioned by a band 79 guided over a pulley 76, see FIGS. 13 and 14, which may be pulled in downward direction by an arm, not shown, mounted in the region of the turning axis of the slay when the slay moves forward. During the return movement of the slay, the arm is released so that spring 46 turns the belt pulley 76 with bracket 77 and pawl 7 which shifts ratchet wheel 75 to wind-up the main spring 52 which is hooked at one end into the hollow shaft 78 of ratchet wheel 75.

The retraction of the weft thread from the cutting device to the nozzle, which starts the next dispensing operation, is controlled by a cam 98 from the crank- Cam 98 acts through levers 97 and 96 on the small lever 85. However, the upper end of lever 96 reaches lever only after the shuttle has left its initial position. As long as a shuttle is in shuttle box, it urges the tongue 109' outwardly to a position in which the tongue extension 10% blocks sensing lever 94, as shown in FIG. 11, and does not permit spring 96a, which engages a flange on pin 93, to move pin 93 to an operative position, since sensing lever 94 is connected by a Bowden :cable to stop pin 93. When the shuttle box is empty, tongue 109' can move inwardly when spring 96a moves pin 93 to the operative position shown in FIG. 12.

Tongues 109' are mounted in windows 1090 of the shuttle boxes for pivotal movement on a pivot pin 109a. The small lever 85 which is pivotally connected to arresting lever 59, is connected by link 84 through doublearmed lever 53 with stop hook 57 so that it can assume an operative position only if the preceding dispensing operation has been completed.

The position of the elements in FIG. 12 corresponds to the moment in which the arresting lever 59 has been pushed away from the stop 55 of the spring housing 43 so that the return spring 45 starts to turn the device in rearward direction through double-armed lever 53 and hook member 57.

The position of FIG. 11 shows the last part of the operation of the dispensing device, shortly before stop roll 74 has moved into the region of the stop hook 57. Lever 85 is in an inoperative position, and the shuttle is still in the initial position so that the abutment pin 93 is retracted, so that no operation can be started in this position. Consequently, the operation can only be started when the preceding operation has been fully completed, and the shuttle with the measured length of dispensed weft thread has moved out of the starting position.

The pressure air is taken through a hose 99 from a source of compressed air having a pressure of between 0.01 and 0.1 mm. Suitable valves are provided in hose 99, and a pump may produce the compressed air.

' may be obtained by a suitable vibrating valve.

The control of the valve 86 for the nozzle 88 is effected by a control portion 83 cooperating with the doublearmed lever 53 which opens valve 86 at the start of the rotation of the measuring drum. When the measuring drum stops, valve 86 is closed. Member 83 includes a brake part 82 which brakes double-armed lever 83 in its end positions shortly before engagement with

stops

58 and 60.

Valve 87 for nozzle 89 is opened by a sensing portion 90 engaged by portion 91 of the shuttle when the same arrives at the shuttle box and is stopped. A spring closes valve 87, in an action which is delayed by small pneumatic cylinder and piston means 92, so that the time during which insertion of the weft thread into the shuttle takes place can be adjusted.

The force of the nozzle may be increased, if the pressure air is supplied in a vibrating or pulsating condition, Wlgilgl] e shock waves in the air act in the nozzle like the pistons of a cylinder which drive air out of a tube and produce suction between the pressure waves so that a greater force is exerted on the thread.

The thread brake before the ring weight 29, and its guides 30, is constructed as a V-shaped grid-like structure which, together with ring 29 compensates differences in tension of the thread which may be caused by empty or full spindle packages. In accordance with the tension of the thread, ring 29 pulls the thread more or less down between the crossing fingers of the thread brake 26', and when the thread is greatly tensioned at the beginning of the dispensing operation, it is raised above the thread brake so that the same is not effective.

When the measuring drum stops, the ring weight 29 pulls an excess of the weft thread into the weft brake 26' so that no additional thread can be drawn from the spindle package during the return movement of the measuring drum when the'ring weight 29 drops lower.

The cutting devices which are necessary at both edges of the fabric for cutting the weft threads, each compr se a cutting knife 102, and a pressure member 103 which are mounted on a common shaft directly behind the upper edge of the reed, and on the slay. The cutting devices are advanced to an operative position only when the reed performs the beating operation, which is accomplished by a suitable small chain 108 whose length can be adjusted. The presser member 103 presses the thread against a leather abutment 104 which is mounted onthe fabric holder so that the knife 102 cuts the thread held between pressure member 103 and fabric edge in a groove 104 of the fabric holder, or tears the thread.

The weft threads connected to the shuttle carrying thread for the return pick, are guided downward by a guide thread 106, appearing as a dot in the drawing, and consequently guided away from the knife 102 and the pressure member 103. The guide thread 1061s raised and lowered by a suitable shaft, not shown, or by the motion of the shuttle box. A weft thread 107 is shown which has just been beaten up and woven into the fabric, while a shed just opens.

FIGS. 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 and illustrate embodiments of shuttles which are advantageously used in the loom of the present invention for carrying out the method of the present invention. The shuttle shown in FIG. 3 has an insert with a channel 40 whose inner front wall is constructed as a brush for the thread, while the opposite wall is smooth and curved in such a manner that the weft thread, when blown into the shuttle, slides along the smooth surface due to the action of the centrifugal force without engaging the brush surface. On the other hand, when the weft thread is drawn out during the travel of the shuttle, -it is smoothed by engagement with the brush wall. The bottom of the channel 40 is particularly at one end higher than the bottom of the shuttle 38, which is constructed as a sieve or grid, so that portion 37 of the thread storage chamber is located directly below the end of the inlet channel end, whereby an ejection of the thread due to the shock of the shuttle arriving in the shuttle box is prevented. The inlet channel is covered by downwardly bent cover of plexiglass. A shuttle eye 39 guides the thread. A sieve 36, or a grid, closes the thread storage chamber on top. On the left and right side of the inlet opening 41, thread brushes 42 are provided.

FIG. 9 shows a modified shuttle in which sufficient space is provided for the weft thread, so that layers of the thread slip the to the shock of the stop shuttle in such a manner that the pulled out thread is alternately drawn into the two thread brake slots 68 to which slanted guide edges 69 lead located on opposite sides of the inlet opening 41 in the front double wall 70. FIG. 8 is a section of the shuttle shown in FIG. 9, clearly showing the sieve-like or grid-like bottom 38. FIG. 10 illustrates the cross section of the shuttle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 illustrates a shuttle capable of receiving the inserted thread in such a manner that the thread cannot become entangled, and is easily pulled out without forming any loops.

This is accomplished by an inlet channel having the form of a fiat tapered elongated spiral and having a narrow portion 115 partly surrounding an air permeable sieve-like wall 113 which extends around an elongated outlet 112. The leading thread end is lightly clamped in the narrow portion when blown in, and is pulled out again after the portion of the thread located in the wider chamber 114 has been pulled out in smooth and straight condition.

The inlet channel with the thread storage chamber 114 is closed by a plexiglass cover 111 which is attached by screws 110. The upper air outlet opening 112 is opened in the plexiglass cover. Behind the inlet opening of the shuttle, and on the inner side of the wider portion of the inlet channel, a self-threading thread guide 116 is provided into which the thread is always safely threaded during the first pick, and where the thread is braked and stretched when pulled out during the second pick due to the portion thereof curving about the thread guide 116 and the wall 118. A self-threading thread guide eye 117 assures that even the outermost end of the thread runs out in smooth and stretched condition during the second pick. The dotted line (a) indicates the path of the thread leaving the shuttle during the first pick, and the line (b) illustrates the path of the thread during the second pick.

Looms according to the present invention can be operated with comparatively small and flat shuttles, and can consequently be equipped with shorter shaft motions, slay motions and shuttle box motions, which permits the operation of the loom at a number of picks which cannot be attained by conventional looms.

When the loom of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is operated at the maximum number of revolutions, during the 3.5 revolutions of the crankshaft which are available for the dispensing operation, the dispensing operation can still be carried out in a manner which will not fray or damage the weft thread, or wear out the dispensing device.

The pneumatic insertion of the weft thread into the shuttle can be very rapidly accomplished without any wear on the weft thread, particularly since the stored thread portion in hose is always laid in tight loops and curves in the vicinity of nozzle 89 so that even highly twisted yarns have no space to untwist and to become entangled.

Furthermore, only a little more than half of the measured length of weft thread has to be inserted into the shuttle, since the part of the weft thread which has not been inserted into the shuttle, is blown out of and through the storage hose 100 until the weft thread extends in stretched condition through nozzle 89 and hose 100 to the measuring drum, which has been stopped in the meantime to determine the measured length of the 'dispensed thread portion.

When the measured weft length is placed in the shed during the travel of the shuttle, the weft thread is not Worn or unduly tensioned, since only a very small tension under uniform conditions is applied to the weft, without the great differences in the tension and weight which are unavoidable when shuttles are operated in conventional looms. Due to the fact that the condition of shuttle travel remain always the same, the loom can be operated at higher speed.

The weft inserting method of the present invention I permits the weaving with threads having two different colors, for example a black and a gray weft can be alternately inserted, or two gray Wefts may follow two black wefts. It is also possible to alternate one gray, one black with two gray and two black wefts. It is also possible to weave into the fabric an extra thread of a particular bright color in which event on either side of the loom a third shuttle box is provided for one or two other shuttles.

A four col-or weave of the basic fabric is accomplished by providing on either side of the loom two dispensing devices with corresponding nozzles for the weft insertion.

Since a weft thread is inserted through two sheds, portions of alternating wefts are located alternately on the edges of the fabric, so that a sufficiently strong ,selvedge is formed.

An apparatus according to the present invention forms a a complete unit which can be mounted on a conventional loom with shuttle boxes without any exchange of parts. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, only two hoses, a belt, a Bowden cable, and a light red to the control cam have to be provided.

If a loom is built in accordance with the present invention, standard parts of conventional looms can be used during the manufacture. However, it is advantageous to construct the loom in such a manner that very flat and comparatively small shuttles can be used, since the shuttle transports only a length of weft as required for two picks. Corresponding shorter slay and shuttle box movements can be provided. Looms which do not perform more than 150 cycles per minute, do not require the premeasuring and the storing in the hose 100, and consequently one nozzle can be eliminated, and only the nozzle 88.is required from which a non-perforated hose leads to the shuttle box in which the shuttle blow 'line terminates. In this embodiment, the thread end can be drawn deeply into the hose. When the thread is blown into the shuttle, the preceding thread end has already a higher speed when entering the narrowed portion of the shuttle channel, which facilitates an improved reinsertion.

In order to make use of this advantage also in the construction of FIGS. 11 and 12, where the thread is stored in the hose, the nozzle pipe of nozzle 89 is preferably made longer than the tubular end portion of nozzle 88, in which event the return stop arm 54 of the dispensing device can be omitted, since it is not necessary to control the rearward movement of the drum in such an exact manner.

The dispensing device may also be constructed to be driven by an electric motor instead of by a spring motor, in which event the shaft 78 serves only as a control shaft which effects the connection and disconnection of the drive motor, whereas the return rotation is accomplished by the return spring which is tensioned as explained above. The control of the dispensing device may also be carried out by electromagnetic means.

The thread guide of the dispensing device may be oscillated by a cam provided on the spring housing, not shown, so that the thread moves in axial direction along the surface of the measuring drum to prevent the formation of a groove in the surface coating of the measuring drum.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of weft inserting arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a weaving method according to which the shuttle carries only a predetermined length of the weft thread, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior :art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A weaving method comprising the steps of dispensing from a supply of weft thread located on ane side of a warp shed a measured length of weft thread corresponding to twice the width of the warp shed; blowing the measured length into a storage means to store the same, and then blowing atleast a part of the stored measured length of the weft thread into a hollow shuttle; moving the shuttle from said one side of the shed to the other side of the shed while holding said weft thread on said one side of the shed so that the portion of said measured length still stored in said storage means forms a pick in said shed; cutting said weft thread on said one side; and moving the shuttle through a warp shed from said other side to said one side so that said part of said measured length is drawn out of the shuttle and forms another pick in another shed.

2. A pneumatic loom comprising a dispensing device for dispensing a measured length of weft thread, when actuated including an intermittently rotating measuring drum, and thread supply means for supplying thread to said drum so that a thread is wound up on said drum and a measured length of thread is dispensed during turning movement of said drum; a hollow shuttle; pressure nozzle means for blowing at least part of the measured length into said shuttle, said shuttle having a tapered perforated channel for holding the end of the thread; means for guiding the measured length of thread from said drum to said nozzle means; means for supporting said dispensing device, said nozzle means, and the shuttle on one side of the loom and of warp sheds formed on the loom; and means for sensing an empty shuttle at said one side of the loom, and operatively connected to said dispensing device to actuate the same when sensing an empty shuttle.

3. A pneumatic loom comprising a dispensing device for dispensing a measured length of weft thread, when actuated including a rotary measuring drum, and means 7 for supplying a thread to said drum; a hollow shuttle;

pressure nozzle means for blowing part of the measured length into said shuttle; cutting means for cutting a thread carried by said'shuttle during a pick and spaced a predetermined distance from said nozzle means; control means for first turning said drum in one direction for dispensing a measured length of the thread to said nozzle and shuttle, and for then turning said drum in the opposite direction for winding back a part of said thread having a length substantially equal to said distance so that the thread end is located at said nozzle pressure air supply means for supplying air under pressure to said nozzle means; means for supporting said dispensing device, said nozzle means, and the shuttle on one side of the loom and of warp sheds formed on the loom; and means for sensing an empty shuttle at said one side of the loom, and operatively connected to said control means of said dispensing device, and operatively connected to said pressure air supply means to actuate the same when sensing an empty shuttle.

4. A pneumatic loom comprising a dispensing device for dispensing a measured length of weft thread, when actuated including a rotary measuring drum, and means for supplying a thread to said drum; a hollow shuttle; pressure nozzle means for blowing at least part of the measured length into said shuttle; cutting means for cutting a thread carried by said shuttle during a pick and spaced a predetermined distance from said nozzle means; control means for first turning said drum in one direction for dispensing a measured length of the thread to said nozzle and shuttle, and for then turning said drum inthe opposite direction for Winding back a part of said thread having a length substantially equal to said distance so that the thread end is located at said nozzle; a reciprocating slay; bellow means operated by said reciprocating slay; conduit means including valve means connecting said bellow means with said nozzle means for supplying air under pressure to said nozzle means; means for supporting said dispensing device, said nozzle means, and the shuttle on one side of the loom and of warp sheds formed on the loom; and means for sensing an empty shuttle at said one side of the loom, and operatively connected to said control means of said dispensing device, and operatively connected to said valve means, and operatively connected to said bellow means to actuate the same when sensing an empty shuttle.

5. A pneumatic loom comprising a dispensing device for dispensing a measured length of Weft thread, when actuated including a rotary measuring drum, and means for supplying a thread to said drum; a hollow shuttle; pressure nozzle means for blowing at least part of the measured length into said shuttle; cutting means for cutting a threadcarried by said shuttle during a pick and spaced a predetermined distance from said nozzle means; control means for first turning said drum in one direction for dispensing a measured length of the thread to said nozzle and shuttle, and for then turning said drum in the opposite direction for winding back a part of said thread having a length substantially equal to said distance so that the thread end is located at said nozzle; frame means for supporting said dispensing device on one side of the loom; reciprocating slay means for supporting said nozzle means and the shuttle on said one side of the loom and of warp sheds formed on the loom; hose means connecting said dispensing device with said nozzle means for guiding and storing a part of the measured length of thread; and means for sensing an empty shuttle at said one side of the loom and operatively connected to said control means of said dispensing device to actuate the same when sensing an empty shuttle. I

6. A pneumatic loom comprising a dispensing device for dispensing a measured length of weft thread, when actuated including an intermittently rotating measuring drum, and thread supply means for supplying thread to said drum so that a thread is wound up on said drum and a measured length of thread is dispensed during turning movement of said drum; a hollow shuttle; pressure nozzle means for blowing at least part of the measured length into said shuttle; means for guiding the measured length of thread from said drum tosaid nozzle means; frame means for supporting said dispensing device on one side of the loom; reciprocating slay means for supporting said nozzle means and the shuttle on said one side of the loom and of warp sheds formed on the loom; hose means connecting said dispensing device with said nozzle means for guiding and storing the measured length of thread; other nozzle means for blowing the weft thread into said hose means; and means for sensing an empty shuttle at said one side of the loom and operatively connected to said dispensing device to actuate the same when sensing an empty shuttle.

7. A pneumatic loom as set forth in claim 3 wherein said dispensing device includes a spring-motor; said measuring drum being driven by said motor, said motor including a spring housing mounted for turning movement; and said control means having a stop, a stop hook cooperating with said stop, a return stop arm cooperating With said stop, a spring-loaded double-armed lever pivotally connected with said stop hook, and means for moving said stop hook away from said stop.

8. A pneumatic loom comprising a dispensing device for dispensing a measured length of weft thread, when actuated, said dispensing device including a rotary measuring drum, means for turning said drum in one direction to dispense a measured length of weft thread corresponding to two picks and an additional piece of weft thread extending between said nozzle means and the edge of the fabric; cutting means for cutting the Weft thread at the edge of the fabric; means for effecting turning of said drum in the opposite direction to draw said additional piece of weft from said cutting means to said nozzle; a shuttle pressure nozzle means for blowing at least part of the measured length into said shuttle; means for guidingthe measured length of thread from said drum to said nozzle means; means for supporting said dispensing device, said nozzle means, and the shuttle on one side of the loom and of warp sheds formed on the loom; and means for sensing an empty shuttle at said one side of the loom and operatively connected to said dispensing device to actuate the same when sensing an empty shuttle.

9. A shuttle having a channel in the form of an elongated spiral adapted to hold a length of weft thread, said channel gradually tapering from a wider outer portion to a narrower inner portion, and being partly formed by air-permeable walls permitting escape of air When a weft thread is blown into said channel whereby the thread is wedged in said gradually tapering channel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 795,250 7/1905 Cox 139-127 1,721,9 0 7/1929 Ballou 139-127 2,668,560 2/1954 Svaty 139-127 2,770,261 11/1956 Turner 139--126 2,902,058 9/1956 Walton 139126 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,237,034 6/ 1960 France. 1,261,463 4/1961 France.

860,167 2/1961 Great Britain.

174,387 2/1961 Sweden.

DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner.

RUSSELL C. MADER, Examiner.

J. KEE CHI, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A WEAVING METHOD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF DISPENSING FROM A SUPPLY OF WEFT THREAD LOCATED ON ONE SIDE OF A WARP SHED A MEASURED LENGTH OF WEFT THREAD CORRESPONDING TO TWICE THE WIDTH OF THE WARP SHED; BLOWING THE MEASURED LENGTH INTO A STORAGE MEANS TO STORE THE SAME, AND THEN BLOWING AT LEAST A PART OF THE STORED MEASURED LENGTH OF THE WEFT THREAD INTO A HOLLOW SHUTTLE; MOVING THE SHUTTLE FROM SAID ONE SIDE OF THE SHED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SHED WHILE HOLDING SAID WEFT THREAD ON SAID ONE SIDE OF THE SHED SO THAT THE PORTION OF SAID MEASURED LENGTH STILL STORED IN SAID STORAGE MEANS FORMS A PICK IN SAID SHED; CUTTING SAID WEFT THREAD ON SAID ONE SIDE; AND MOVING THE SHUTTLE THROUGH A WARP SHED FROM SAID OTHER SIDE TO SAID ONE SIDE SO THAT SAID PART OF SAID MEASURED LENGTH IS DRAWN OUT OF THE SHUTTLE AND FORMS ANOTHER PICK IN ANOTHER SHED.