Patent ID: 6081971
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: D01G

Abstract:
A traveling flats assembly forming part of a carding machine and cooperating with a main carding cylinder thereof; said assembly comprising(a) first and second end sprockets;(b) an endless belt trained about and supported by said first and second end sprockets; said endless belt having upper and lower flights;(c) a plurality of flat bars arranged in a series along the belt;(d) coupling means for connecting said flat bars to said belt for being carried by said lower flight through a working zone in which the flat bars cooperate with the main carding cylinder and for being carried by said upper flight through a return zone;(e) a supporting component having an arcuate supporting surface;(f) a first concave slide guide extending parallel to one part of a circumference of said first end sprocket for guiding and holding said flat bars as they travel about said first end sprocket;(g) a second concave slide guide extending parallel to one part of a circumference of said second end sprocket for guiding and holding said flat bars as they travel about said second end sprocket; and(h) a convex slide guide extending through said work zone and lying on said supporting surface of said supporting component; said convex slide guide having an upper, flat bar-supporting surface on which said flat bars are supported for a gliding motion; said convex slide guide being longitudinally shiftable relative to said supporting surface of said supporting component; said first and second concave slide guides and said convex slide guide being mutually separate components; said convex slide guide having opposite first and second terminal portions passing through respective said first and second concave slide guides.