Patent ID: 6772972
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A yarn feed assembly comprising:an end protector having an outer ring and a mount thereon, said outer ring having an outer surface; a tube holder with a feeding end, said feeding end of the tube holder connected to the mount of the end protector; a tube having an inner bore disposed about the tube holder and a feeding end, said outer ring of said end protector extending a distance beyond the exterior surface of the tube in a normal configuration, and said outer ring deflectable to pass through the bore in a deflected configuration and then return to the normal configuration after passing the tube; a line wrapped about the tube, said line directed toward the feeding end of the tube holder from the tube in the normal configuration, said line at least intermittently contacting at least a portion of the outer surface of the outer ring as the line is unwrapped from the tube and fed forwardly from the tube past the feeding end of the tube holder; and the outer ring of the end protector contacting the feeding end of the tube in the normal configuration.