Weft length measuring storage unit

A weft length measuring storage unit is characterized by comprising avoidance mechanism for setting said weft length measuring storage unit such that a weft is not measured its length or stored while maintaining operable one or more driven members which are driven by the main shaft of a loom to measure the weft or stored before the loom is at least inched or reversed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a weft length measuring storage unit of a shuttleless loom, and in more particular, to a weft length measuring storage unit suitable for a fluid jet loom such as a water jet loom.

2. Description of Related Art

As one of weft length measuring storage units of water jet looms, there is an art of measuring the length and storing a weft by winding the weft around the periphery of an immovable drum by a yarn winding tube which is rotated along the periphery of the drum with the rotation of the main shaft of a loom. In this conventional art, the loom is inched or reversed after it is stopped, with the weft length measuring storage unit disconnected from the main shaft, and then the loom is operated again after synchronizing the weft length measuring storage unit with the main shaft.

As another art, there is a weft length measuring storage unit comprising a length measuring section for measuring the length of a weft nipped between a pair of length measuring rollers to be rotated in synchronization with a main shaft, and a storage section for storing by an air current the weft fed from the length measuring section until weft insertion is started. In this conventional art, generally after a loom is stopped, the length measuring rollers are separated from each other so as not to feed the weft when the loom is to be inched or reversed, and then when operation is to be resumed, the so-called synchronization to bring the length measuring rollers into contact with each other is made with the weft of a predetermined length stored.

There is still another length measuring storage unit comprising a length measuring section for measuring the length of a weft nipped between a pair of length measuring rollers, and a storage section for storing the weft fed from the length measuring section with the weft wound around the periphery of an immovable drum by a yarn guide. In this conventional art, one roller and a yarn guide are connected to a main shaft and rotated by the main shaft. Also, when performing an operation to pass the weft through the weft length measuring storage unit, an engagement pin is separated from the periphery of the immovable drum, and the length measuring rollers are separated from each other by pressing a button.

However, in the first prior art, a mechanism for disconnecting the weft length measuring storage unit and the main shaft as well as a mechanism for driving the weft length measuring storage unit for synchronization of the weft length measuring storage unit with the main shaft, etc., are required, which makes the unit large-sized.

In the latter two prior arts, if the looms are inched or reversed while the operation to separate the length measuring rollers is inadvertently neglected, there will arise such problems as an undesirable length measuring action is made to cause a weft newly pulled out of a weft package to wind around the length measuring rollers or to be pulled back toward the side of a weft inserting nozzle to come off the nozzle. Once such problems arise, it will take much time to get rid of the problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to prevent a weft from winding around a weft length measuring storage unit and/or coming off a nozzle, which tend to occur in inching or reversing in the weft length measuring storage unit which is to be connected to the main shaft of a loom and driven.

The weft length measuring storage unit according to the present invention comprises an avoidance mechanism for setting the weft length measuring storage unit, before the loom is at least inched or reversed, such that the weft length is not measured nor stored while maintaining operable a driven member to be driven by the main shaft of the loom.

When a factor or a cause to stop the loom occurs, before inching or reversing, the driven member is maintained operable, but the weft length measuring storage unit is set such that the weft is not measured the length nor stored. By this, if inching or reversing is made while the loom is stopped, though the driven member is driven, such inconveniences as the weft winds around the weft length measuring storage unit in error or comes off the weft insert nozzle are prevented from happening.

The weft length measuring storage unit can comprise length measuring and storage machine for measuring the weft of the length of one pick during one turn of the main shaft and storing the measured weft until it is inserted.

The weft length measuring and storage machine can include: a pair of rollers for nipping to measure the length of the weft in cooperation, at least one of the rollers being rotated by the main shaft; an immovable drum immovably assembled into the loom; an engagement pin capable of advancing and retreating relative to the immovable drum so as to engage or disengage the weft; and a yarn guide rotated by the main shaft to wind the weft around the immovable drum. The driven member can include at least one of the two rollers and the yarn guide, and the avoidance mechanism can include means for separating both the rollers so as to release the nipped weft, and means for retreating the engagement pin so as to prevent the weft from being engaged.

In place of this, the weft length measuring storage machine may include a pair of rollers for nipping the weft in cooperation to measure the length thereof, at least one of the rollers being rotated by the main shaft; the driven member may include at least one of the two rollers; and the avoidance mechanism may include means for separating the rollers so as to release the nipped weft.

The weft length measuring storage machine may comprise an immovable drum assembled immovably into the loom; an engagement pin capable of advancing and retreating relative to the immovable drum so as to engage and disengage the weft; and a yarn guide to be rotated by the main shaft to wind the weft around the immovable drum. The driven members may include the yarn guide, and the avoidance mechanism may include means for retreating the engagement pin so as to prevent the weft from being engaged.

Before the loom is at least inched or reversed, it is possible to make the avoidance mechanism set the weft length measuring storage unit such that the weft is not measured the length nor stored, while maintaining the driven member operable by the main shaft, during a period from generation of a loom stop signal attributable to occurrence of a cause to stop the loom till immediately before the loom is inched or reversed.

The above-mentioned period can be selected from a group including: when the loom is inertially rotating, when the inertial rotation is stopped, and when operation for inching or reversing is performed.

The avoidance mechanism can include: an avoidance instruction section for generating an avoidance instruction signal instructing to set the weft length measuring storage unit to be such that the weft is not measured the length nor stored, while maintaining the driven member operable by the main shaft; and one or more electric actuator for driving an avoidance member for setting the weft length measuring storage unit, upon receipt of the avoidance instruction signal, such that the weft is not measured the length nor stored.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, the weft length measuring storage unit10is used for a water jet loom which inserts a weft14extending from a weft package12into a warp shed from a weft insert nozzle16together with the water to be jetted from the weft insert nozzle16.

The weft length measuring storage unit10comprises: a length measuring section which feeds and measures the weft14from the weft package12in a state of being nipped between a pair of length measuring rollers20,22connected to a main shaft18of the loom and rotated synchronously with the main shaft18; and a storage section for storing the measured weft14by an engagement pin28until the next weft insertion with the measured weft14wound around the outer periphery of an immovable drum26by a yarn guide24connected and rotated synchronously with the main shaft18.

Rotation of the main shaft18is transmitted to a hollow shaft portion32by a pulley30connected to the main shaft18, a pulley34assembled into a shaft portion32of the yarn guide24, and an endless belt36stretched over both the pulleys, as well as to one of the rollers20by a pulley38engaged with the endless belt36.

In the illustration, the pulleys30,34and38are timing pulleys such as a timing gear, and the endless belt36is a timing belt. In place of each timing pulley, however, a sprocket, a flat pulley, a V-pulley or the like may be used, while in place of the timing belt, a chain, a flat belt, a V-belt or the like may be used.

One of the length measuring rollers20is connected to the pulley38which meshes with a belt so as to function as a drive roller to be rotated upon receipt of the torque of the main shaft18.

The other length measuring roller22is rotatably supported at one end of a lever40so as to function as a driven roller to be rotated following the rotation of the drive roller20. The lever40is supported at an intermediate portion in its longitudinal direction so as to oscillate about a pivot, i.e., a fulcrum42.

The lever40is also driven to make the driven roller22selectively contact or separate from the drive roller20so as to make the length measuring rollers20,22selectively nip or release the weft14.

The yarn guide24is supported at its shaft portion32so as to rotate around a support case46. The immovable drum26is attached to a cover49assembled into the support case46. The engagement pin28is disposed on the outer periphery of the immovable drum26so as to selectively engage and disengage the weft14and is selectively advanced or retreated by an electric actuator48such as an electromagnetic solenoid.

Each member of the weft length measuring storage unit10is supported on a frame not shown in such a state as mentioned above. Detailed explanation of the weft length measuring storage unit10is omitted here, because the structure thereof is described in the Official Gazette of Japanese Patent Appln. Public Disclosure (KOKAI) No. 2000-336551 or the like.

The weft14from the weft package12is nipped between the rollers20,22through a first fixed guide50and a fixed damper52, is measured to have the length of one pick by the rotation of the rollers20,22, and fed to the storage section. The first clamper52is intended to prevent the weft from moving from the weft package12to the length measuring section and is driven by an electromagnetic solenoid not shown so as to release the weft14when necessary such as during operation (weaving) or when threading into the weft length measuring storage unit10.

The measured weft14reaches the front end of the yarn guide24through the shaft portion32of the yarn guide24, wound around the periphery of the immovable drum26over the length of one pick by the rotation of the yarn guide24so as to be stored until the next weft insertion.

The weft14further extends from the storage section through the second fixed guide54and the second damper56into a weft insert nozzle16. The second damper56catches hold of the weft14on the upstream side of the weft insert nozzle16and releases the weft14during the weft insertion, driven synchronously with the electric actuator58.

While weaving by the loom, the electric actuator44drives the lever40so as to nip the weft14between the length measuring rollers20,22, and the electric actuator48drives the engagement pin28so as to release the stored weft14at the start of the weft insertion and engage the weft14at the end of the weft insertion.

The weft14extending from the weft package12is measured the length, nipped between the length measuring rollers20,22, even during the weft insertion. Thus, while running, particularly in the latter half of the running, there occurs so-called constrained running in which the running of the weft14is constrained by the length measuring roller20,22, slackening of the weft is settled. Therefore, the weft length measuring storage unit10is advantageous for strong twisted weft fabric.

When a loom stop signal for stopping the loom is generated due to the occurrence of a cause to stop such as end breaking, the loom is stopped after inertial rotation, and thereafter, the loom is reversed or inched to solve the cause of the stoppage, that is, to proceed with reparation. When the cause of the stoppage is solved, the loom is restarted after a preliminary step for operation so as to resume the weaving motion.

Upon generation of a loom stop signal, the electric actuator44separates the driven-side roller22from the drive-side roller20, the electric actuator48retreats the engagement pin28from the immovable drum26, and the electric actuator58makes the second damper56hold the weft14.

The above-mentioned setting of the electric actuators44,48,58is done during the period from the generation of the loom stop signal until immediately before the loom is inched or reversed. Such a period can be selected from: during the inertial rotation of the loom, the stopped state of the inertial rotation, and the time of inching or reversing operation.

By this, the weft length measuring storage unit10is set such that, even if the loom is reversed or inched, length measurement and storing of the weft14is not performed. Such a setting can be done, based on a so-called loom control signal for controlling the loom stop signal, a signal by a push-button, an operation state signal, a timing signal, and the like.

Even if the electric actuators44,48,58are set as mentioned above, the drive-side roller20and the yarn guide24are connected to the main shaft18and, therefore, maintained to be rotatable by the main shaft. Consequently, when the loom is reversed or inched, the roller20and the yarn guide24are reversed or inched.

During the inching or reversing of the loom, however, even if the roller20and the yarn guide24are reversed or inched, since the driven-side roller40had been separated from the drive-side roller20and the engagement pin48is retreated; the length measuring and storage of the weft14are not performed; therefore, neither pulling the weft14out of the weft package12nor pulling back of the weft14from the weft insert nozzle16is carried out, thereby preventing such inconveniences as the weft14winds around the length measuring storage unit10in error or comes off the weft insert nozzle16.

Such a control of the weft length measuring storage unit10is performed by the controller60shown in FIG.2.

Referring toFIG. 2, the controller60receives at a timing signal generator64an output signal of an angle detector62which, by detecting the rotational angle of the main shaft18, generates a corresponding angle signal θ, and receives a loom stop signal S1attributable to a failure in weft insertion, end breaking or the like at a main controller66.

The timing signal generator64reads, on the basis of the angle signal θ to be inputted from the angle detector62, from the timing signal setter68set timing for driving the electric actuators48and58for the engagement pin28and the second clamper56in FIG.1and outputs as timing signals S2and S3to the drive unit70.

In the timing setter68, the timings for driving the electric actuators48and58are preset. For example, when beating timing is set at 0°, the timings for driving the electric actuators48and58can be respectively set at values to turn on between 100° and 230° as well as between 100° and 250°. Thereby, the engagement pin28disengages the weft14retreated from the immovable drum24and stored, and the second damper56releases the weft14extending to the weft insert nozzle16.

The main controller64is connected to a plurality of press button switches for manually inputting various instructions such as an operation preparation button72for making the loom prepare for operation, an operation button74for activating the loom, an inching button76for inching the loom, a reversing button78for reversing the loom, a stop button80for stopping the loom, etc.

The main controller66outputs various signals for operating or stopping the loom according to various preset data such as the loom stop signal S1, press button instruction, weaving parameters, etc., to a warp feeder, a cloth take-up controller, a main shaft controller, a picking device, a shedding device, etc., which are not shown. This brings each machine and device of the loom to an operation preparing state, an operating state (weaving state) or a stopped state.

Among the various signals to be outputted from the main controller66, the stop signal S4and an operation preparation signal S5are fed to an avoidance instruction section82, while an operating state signal S6is fed to a drive unit70.

The stop signal S4is, as shown in FIG.3(A), an instruction signal for actually stopping the loom is turned on for a short time by inputting of the loom stop signal S1to the main controller66or pressing down of a stop button80. When the stop signal S4for “ON” is generated, the loom and its respective machines and devices are stopped after inertial rotation.

The operation preparation signal S5is an instruction signal which is, as shown in FIG.3(E), turned on when the cause of the stoppage is repaired and an operation preparation button72is pushed down to be kept ON until a predetermined time T1elapses after the generation of the stop signal S4. Concretely, the operation preparation signal S5turns on during preparation for operation and during operation, and turns off after the loom is stopped. When the operation preparation signal S5for ON is generated, each machinery of the loom resumes its operation to prepare for weaving so as to reactivate the loom.

The operating state signal S6is a signal for indicating whether the loom is in the operating state or the stopped state, and as shown in FIG.3(C), is kept ON while the loom is operating (in weaving state) and OFF while it is stopped. That is to say, the ON output of the operating state signal S6corresponds to the operating state of the loom, while the OFF output thereof corresponds to the stoppage of the loom.

An avoidance instruction section82receives the stop signal S4in a pulse generator84and the operation preparation signal S5in a pulse generator86. The pulse generator84, as shown in FIG.3(D), being triggered upon rising of an input signal, generates a signal S7which is kept on for a predetermined time. The pulse generator86, as shown in FIG.3(F), being triggered upon rising of the input signal, generates a signal S8which is kept on until the operation preparation button72is pushed down.

The output signal S7of the pulse generator84is fed to a set input terminal of a flip-flop88, and the output signal S8of the pulse generator86is fed to a reset input terminal of the flip-flop88. Therefore, the flip-flop88is, as shown in FIG.3(G), set by the generation of the stop signal S4and reset by pushing down of the preparation button72.

A Q-output (set output) of the flip-flop88is fed to a drive unit70and a drive circuit90as an avoidance instruction signal S9for setting the weft length measuring storage unit10such that the weft is not measured the length or stored. The avoidance instruction signal S9is kept ON while measurement of the weft length by the length measuring rollers and the engagement of the weft by the engagement pin should be prevented.

While the avoidance instruction signal S9for ON is inputted, the drive circuit90drives the electric actuator44for the driven roller to separate both length measuring rollers. This makes the weft extending from the weft package released from the length measuring rollers, so that the measurement of the weft length is hindered, thereby to prevent the weft from winding around the immovable drum and being stored.

The drive unit70receives the timing signal S2for driving the engagement pin at one of the input terminals of an AND circuit92, receives the timing signal S3for driving the second damper at one of the input terminals of an AND circuit94, and receives the operating state signal S6at the other input terminals of both the AND circuits92,94.

The AND (logical product) output signals of the AND circuits92and94are respectively fed to one of input terminals of OR circuits96and98. The OR circuits96and98receive the avoidance instruction signal S9at the other of the input terminals and output OR signals of both the input signals respectively to drive circuits100and102.

The drive circuit100drives the electric actuator48for the engagement pin while the input signals are ON to retreat the engagement pin from the immovable drum. The drive circuit102drives the electric actuator58for the second damper while the input signals are ON and releases the weft from the second damper.

In the following is explained the motion of the controller60in the case where, by the timing as shown in FIG.3(A), the stop signal S4is generated and the reversing button, the operation preparation button and the operation button are respectively pushed down.

When weaving, the operation state signal S6is ON and the avoidance instruction signal S9is OFF. Therefore, the drive circuit90drives the electric actuator44for the length measuring rollers so as to have the length measuring rollers nip the weft. By this, the weft extending from the weft package is measured the length by the length measuring rollers and wound around the immovable drum.

Further, the drive circuits100and102respectively make the electric actuators48and58drive at predetermined timings as set in the timing setter68. Thereby, the engagement pin engages and disengages the weft, as shown in FIG.3(H), according to the timings set in the timing setter68, and the second damper performs holding and releasing of the weft according to the timings set in the timing setter68.

Upon generation of the stop signal S4, the operation state signal S6turns off as shown in FIG.3(C), and the output signal S7of the pulse generator84is kept ON for a short time as shown in FIG.3(D), so that the flip-flop88is set and the avoidance instruction signal S9obtained by its Q-output turns on as shown in FIG.3(G).

As a result of the above, the drive circuit90drives the electric actuator44for the length measuring rollers such that the length measuring rollers do not nip the weft. For this reason, the weft extending from the weft package is released from the nipped state by the measuring rollers not to be measured the length.

Further, when the avoidance instruction signal S9turns off, both AND circuits92,94are closed, so that the drive circuits100and102drive the electric actuators48and58respectively by the avoidance instruction signal S9for ON to be inputted through the OR circuits96and98so as to have the weft disengaged from the engagement pin and held by the second clamper. By this, the engagement pin turns off and disengages the weft as shown in FIG.3(H), and the second damper releases the weft.

When the reversing button78is pushed down in the above-mentioned state, the main shaft18is reversed while the reversing button72is pushed down. When the inching button76is pushed down in place of the reversing button78, the main shaft18is normally rotated or reversed by a predetermined angle every time the inching button76is pushed down.

Since the weft extending from the weft package is not held by the length measuring rollers even when either the reversing button78or the inching button76is pushed down, the weft is not pulled out of the weft package nor wound around the immovable drum, nor pulled back from the weft insert nozzle.

A cause for stopping is solved by an operator, reversing or inching the loom by manually operating a predetermined button as mentioned above. Since at this time the drive roller and the yarn guide are rotated by the main shaft18, there is no fear that the phase of the drive roller and the yarn guide with respect to the main shaft would change, thereby facilitating the work for repairing the cause for stopping.

When the cause for stopping is solved and the operation preparation button72is pushed down, the output signal S8of the pulse generator86is kept ON for a short time as shown in FIG.3(F), so that the flip-flop88is reset, and the avoidance instruction signal S9obtained by its Q-output turns off as shown in FIG.3(G).

By this, the drive circuits100and102respectively drive the electric actuators48and58by predetermined timings set in the timing setter68. By this, the engagement pin performs engaging and disengaging the weft as shown in FIG.3(H) by the timings set in the timing setter68, and the second damper performs holding and releasing the weft by the timings set in the timing setter68. Since at this time the phase of the drive roller and the yarn guide with respect to the main shaft is not changed, there is no need to synchronize them.

The electric actuator58can be driven so that, while the loom is reversed or inched, the second damper may release the weft. This facilitates threading into the length measuring storage unit10. However, if the weft comes off the nozzle because of being released, the held state may be kept until released manually as heretofore.

As mentioned above, by using the avoidance instruction signal S9from when the stop signal S4turns on (during the inertial rotation) till when the operation preparation button72is pushed down, it is possible to prevent the length measuring, winding and coming off the nozzle of the weft even during the inertial rotation of the loom.

However, in place of making the avoidance instruction signal S9such as above, it is possible to turn the operation instruction signal S5on from its rising (after the loom stops) till the operation preparation button72is pushed down, as shown in FIG.3(I). In this case, the flip-flop88is set at the start of the operation preparation signal S5and reset by pushing down of the operation preparation button72.

Also, as shown in FIG.3(K), the avoidance instruction signal S9may be a signal to be kept ON from when the reversing button78(or inching button78) is pushed down till when the operation preparation button72is pushed down. In this case, the flip-flop88is set by a reversing pulse S10(or inching signal) shown in FIG.3(J) because the reversing button78(or inching button78) is pushed down first and reset by pushing down the operation preparation button72. However, such avoidance instruction signal S9may be generated without using the flip-flop but by logically reversing the operation preparation signal S5.

Further, as shown in FIG.3(L), the avoidance instruction signal S9may be a signal which is kept ON while the reversing button78is pushed down and the main shaft18is reversed (or inched). In this case, the flip-flop88is set by the reversing pulse S10(or inching signal) shown in FIG.3(J) due to pushing down of the reversing button78(or inching button78), and reset when the loom is stopped. Such avoidance instruction signal S9, however, may be generated without using the flip-flop but by utilizing the reverse signal or inching signal outputted from the main controller66.

The timing to turn off the avoidance instruction signal S9is not limited to such a timing as mentioned above but can be an arbitrary timing from termination of the reversing or inching till the operation is resumed.

The motion of the weft length measuring storage unit10during the reversing of the loom is shown in FIG.4. InFIG. 4, the second damper56is not holding the weft14.

While the loom is reversed, the rollers20,22are separated and the engagement pin28does not engage the weft14, so that, even if the drive roller20and the yarn guide24are reversed together with the main shaft, the weft is not returned to the side of the first damper50, nor pulled back from the weft insert nozzle, nor fed to the side of the storage section, nor wound around the drive roller20and/or the immovable drum.

For the same reason as above, when the loom is inched, even if the drive roller20and the yarn guide24are inched together with the main shaft, the weft is not measured the length, nor wound around the drive roller20and the immovable drum, nor pulled back from the weft insert nozzle.

In the weft length measuring storage unit10, the drive roller20and the yarn guide24to be rotated and driven by the main shaft18act as driven members, while the driven roller22and the engagement pin28act as avoidance members.

However, it is possible to omit the length measuring rollers20,22, in the length measuring storage unit10, and have the yarn guide24act as a driven member and have the engagement pin28act as an avoidance member. In this case, the yarn guide24and the immovable drum26cooperate to work as a length measuring section and a storage section.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, it is possible to omit the length measuring rollers20,22, and to measure the length of the weft14and store the weft14by winding around the outer periphery of the drum26by the rotation of the yarn guide14.

Also, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, a clutch may be interposed between the main shaft and one of the drive systems, i.e., the rollers and the yarn guide to be driven by the main shaft, whereby the clutch, when turned off before the loom is inched or reversed, works as avoidance mechanism which does not make the loom actuate. In other words, in case there are a plurality of members to be driven by the main shaft within the length measuring storage unit, it is possible to constitute at least one member as a driven member to be driven by the main shaft and the other members as avoidance mechanism.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, a weft length measuring storage unit110uses a rotating drum type storage section in place of an immovable drum type storage section.

The rotating drum type storage section includes: a rotating drum112assembled rotatably into the loom; a cover114surrounding the circumference of the rotating drum112; and an air current generator118such as a blower to blow the air into an annular flow path118between the outer periphery of the rotating drum112and the inner periphery of the cover114.

The rotating drum112is assembled into a shaft portion120to be rotated by the main shaft of the loom and, therefore, is rotated together with the main shaft. The cover114and the air current generator116are supported on the frame of the loom.

The drive roller20in contact with the outer periphery of the rotating drum112is driven by the rotation of the rotating drum112, and measures the length of the weft14in cooperation with the driven roller22. The driven roller22is rotatably supported at the front end of a support arm122advanced or retreated by the electric actuator44, and separated relative to the drive roller20by the electric actuator44.

The rotating drum type storage section generates by the air current generator118whiling air current whirling in the same direction as the rotating drum112in an annular path116between the rotating drum122and the cover114and stores the weft14along the outer periphery of the rotating drum112by this annular air current.

The stored weft14, whose front end is ejected from the weft insert nozzle16together with fluid, is pulled out through the opening124of the cover114. The second damper56holds the weft14while storing it and releases the weft during weft insertion.

Since the structure of the weft length measuring storage unit110using the rotating drum type storage section is also described in Japanese Patent Appln. Public Disclosure (KOKAI) No. 2000-336551, detailed description is omitted here.

In the weft length measuring storage unit110, the rotating drum112and the drive roller20act as driven members, and the driven roller acts as an avoidance member.

Also in the weft length measuring storage unit110, when a cause of stoppage occurs to the loom, the rotating drum112and the drive roller20are maintained operable before the loom is inched or reversed, and the driven roller22is separated from the drive roller20. By this, the weft length measuring storage unit110is set such that the weft14is not measured the length or stored.

As a result of the above, in the weft length measuring storage unit110, too, if inching or reversing occurs while the loom is stopped, even though the driven member is driven, such troubles as the weft winds around the length measuring storage unit or comes off the weft insert nozzle by accident are prevented.

In the present invention, instead of using the electric actuator such as a solenoid, another actuator such as a mechanism to be mechanically driven to advance and retreat may be used.

The present invention can be applied not only to a device for winding a weft around a drum to store but also to a device storing a measured weft by carrying it on linear air current for storage in a linear storage section, such as a device described in Japanese Patent Appln. Public Disclosure (KOKAI) 49-48956.

The present invention can be applied not only to a water jet loom but also to an air jet loom. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to a weft insert loom for a single color but to a multicolor weft insert loom. When applying the present invention to a multicolor weft insert loom, a weft storage device having avoidance mechanism is provided for each kind of yarn.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but can be modified variously without departing from its spirit.