Axially telescopic coil carrier

In an axially telescopic coil carrier comprising a plurality of parts for receiving threads or yarns, wherein carrier elements extending from a respective ring element extend lengthwise of the coil carrier, from a substantially cylindrical surface and are guided for displacement relatively to each other, reinforced sections are provided near the ring members in which adjacent carrier elements are connected to each other by circumferential supporting elements. The free ends of the carrier elements project axially beyond these reinforced sections. At least a part of the supporting element of each coil carrier part projects, at least in that zone of the reinforced section which is remote from the associated ring member, radially no more than into the surfaces on which the inner edges of the free ends of the carrier elements of the adjacent coil carrier part are disposed. The supporting elements thus form radially effective supports for these free ends of the carrier elements. The side faces of the carrier elements of one coil carrier part come to lie against the side faces of the carrier elements of the adjacent coil carrier part, at least each second of the circumferentially juxtaposed carrier elements of two coil carrier parts being provided with radial apertures (FIG. 1).

The invention relates to an axially telescopic coil carrier for receiving 
threads or yarns comprising a first and a second end ring and carrier 
elements which are secured with a respective one end to one end ring, form 
a substantially cylindrical surface, extend lengthwise of the coil carrier 
and are guided for displacement relatively to each other. 
Such a coil is already known (DE-GM No. 71 92 230) in which a plurality of 
carrier elements extending parallel to the axis of the coil carrier is 
uniformly distributed over the circumference of the one end ring, one 
longitudinal side of the carrier elements having a radially inwardly 
directed guide shoulder and the other longitudinal side a radially 
outwardly directed guide shoulder. The carrier elements secured to the 
other end ring are securely interconnected at the inside by a ring in the 
region of their free ends and are disposed between the carrier elements of 
the one end ring. The guide shoulders of the carrier elements secured to 
the one end ring co-operate with the guide shoulders of the carrier 
elements secured to the other end ring. 
In this known coil carrier, it is, inter alia, a disadvantage that the 
carrier elements secured to the two end rings are securely guided 
circumferentially as well as radially only in the region of the supporting 
ring. The ring constitutes reinforcement for the associated coil carrier 
part so that this coil carrier part exhibits different stability 
properties than does the other coil carrier part. Care must be taken that 
the ring in the initial position of the known coil carrier is disposed 
substantially centrally between the two end rings but that, with the coil 
carrier partially telescoped, the ring is disposed off-centre and the 
stiffness in the individual sections of the entire coil carrier thus 
depends on the degree to which the two coil carrier parts are telescoped. 
It is the problem of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of 
the known coil carrier and in particular to provide a coil carrier which, 
with a high degree of stiffness, ensures reliable guiding of the two coil 
carrier parts, the stability distribution of the entire coil carrier being 
in each position substantially symmetrical to the medial plane extending 
centrally between the end rings, whereby the strength is increased by 
telescoping the coil carrier parts. 
This problem is solved according to the invention in a coil carrier of the 
aforementioned kind in that reinforced sections are provided near the ring 
members, in which adjacent carrier elements are connected to each other by 
circumferential supporting elements and beyond which the free ends of 
these carrier elements project axially, that at least a part of the 
supporting elements of each coil carrier part projects, at least in that 
zone of the reinforced section which is remote from the associated ring 
member, radially no more than into the surfaces on which the inner edges 
of the free ends of the carrier elements of the adjacent coil carrier part 
are disposed and thus forms radially effective supports for these free 
ends of the carrier elements, and that the side faces of the carrier 
elements of each coil carrier part come to lie against side faces of the 
carrier elements of the adjacent coil carrier part, at least each second 
of the circumferentially juxtaposed carrier elements of two coil carrier 
parts being provided with radial apertures. 
This coil carrier has a high stability particularly in the region of its 
reinforced section, it being possible for the supporting elements to be 
formed by parts of a perforated outer wall or by individual webs. In any 
desired position, the stability distribution of this coil carrier remains 
symmetrical to the medial plane and the strength is increased during 
telescoping. The free ends of the carrier elements of the one coil carrier 
part are positively guided between the carrier elements of the other coil 
carrier part in the region of its reinforced section. Such a construction 
of coil carrier ensures that, after use, it can be returned to its 
starting position for re-use. 
All the carrier elements can be provided with radial apertures. However, it 
is also possible that, of every two circumferentially adjacent 
co-operating carrier elements, only one is provided with such apertures. 
The carrier elements not provided with apertures desirably have only 
relatively small dimensions in the circumferential direction. Every 
carrier element is reliably guided at its free end by the two 
circumferentially adjacent carrier elements of the opposite coil carrier 
part as well as by at least one supporting element. 
The two end rings can be so constructed that their circumferential surface 
is disposed in the cylindrical surface formed by the outer faces of the 
carrier elements. However, it is possible for the circumferential surface 
of the end rings to project beyond the cylindrical surface. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the side faces of the carrier elements are 
substantially disposed in planes extending radially with respect to the 
coil carrier axis. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the side faces of each carrier element of one of two 
co-operating coil carrier parts extend parallel to each other. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that each carrier element comprises, at least at one side 
face, radially inwardly or radially outwardly directed guide face 
co-operating with a radially outwardly or radially inwardly directed guide 
face provided at one side face of a carrier element of the adjacent coil 
carrier part. This achieves additional precision for mutual guiding of the 
carrier elements. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the supporting elements of the reinforced sections are 
each formed by at least two axially spaced ring segments extending between 
the carrier elements. At least that ring segment which is furthest from 
the associated end rings lies radially within the surfaces on which the 
inner edges of the free ends of the carrier elements of the oppositely 
disposed coil carrier part are arranged. Consequently, the carrier 
elements of the one coil carrier part can be axially pushed over at least 
one supporting element of the opposite coil carrier part. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the supporting elements between every two carrier 
elements are coupled by at least one substantially axially parallel slide 
web which continuously adjoins the outer faces of the supporting elements. 
These slide webs ensure that, if the coil carrier parts are slightly 
oblique to each other, the free ends of the carrier elements of one coil 
carrier part will be prevented from striking the supporting elements of 
the other coil carrier part. In addition, the slide webs can be so placed 
that they assist guiding of the carrier elements at both sides. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the outer faces of the carrier elements are set back 
radially inwardly at their free ends. In this way it is ensured that, upon 
telescoping the coil carrier parts, they move beneath and therefore do not 
damage the inner layers of the coil of yarn on the coil surface. At the 
same time, the free ends of the carrier elements thus formed are entirely 
or at least partially relieved by a radially inwardly effective pressure 
of the coil. This pressure is then received in the region of the free ends 
either entirely or at least predominantly by the reinforced section. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that at least at one of every two cooperating coil carrier 
parts at least one resiliently yielding snap element is provided which 
loosely co-operates in the initial position of the coil carrier with a 
counter-member of the other coil carrier part. When the coil carrier has 
been axially compressed, it can subsequently be returned to its initial 
position and there be correctly and loosely fixed by means of the snap 
element. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that each snap element is a spring tongue which is disposed 
between two carrier elements of one coil carrier part and which engages 
resiliently beneath a counter-member of the axially adjacent coil carrier 
part. It is possible to provide as many snap elements as there are carrier 
elements. 
However, it is also conceivable to provide fewer snap elements. Further, it 
is possible to provide the snap elements always at only one coil carrier 
part whereas the counter-members are disposed at the other coil carrier 
part. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier may be 
made in two parts and comprise two head portions provided with end rings. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
made in three parts. In this construction, in which the two head portions 
are desirably identical, it is possible to achieve a longer axial length 
for the coil carrier by using a longer central portion. As a result, only 
a single second mould is required. In contrast, for a two-part coil 
carrier two further moulds are required if it is to be produced in a 
different axial length. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the outer faces of the carrier elements are radially 
inwardly inclined near the end rings of the two head portions. This 
achieves that the coil of yarn is fixed at its points of reversal and the 
layers of yarn will not slip towards the axial centre. In addition, this 
ensures that a coil cannot be displaced beyond the end ring. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the ring member of the central portion is disposed 
substantially at the longitudinal centre thereof and adjoins carrier 
elements at both sides. Consequently, a throughgoing continuous annular 
face is created in the central zone of the coil carrier that can 
co-operate well with a spool drum. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the ring member of the central portion is of roller 
form. In this embodiment, co-operation of the coil carrier with a slotted 
spool drum is further improved. 
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the coil carrier can be 
so constructed that the ring member of the central portion is divided into 
a plurality of rings disposed in parallel planes.

The coil carrier shown in the drawings comprises two coil carrier parts 1, 
2. The coil carrier part 1 has an end ring 3 with a cylindrical inner 
surface 4 as well as a cylindrical outer surface 5. It is concentric with 
the longitudinal axis 6 of the coil carrier. Carrier elements 7 parallel 
to the coil carrier axis 6 are uniformly distributed over the 
circumference and extend from the end ring 1. Each carrier element 7 is 
formed by two substantially parallel side portions 8 which are 
interconnected at the free ends of the carrier elements 7 by a 
cross-member 9. The two side portions 8 of the carrier elements 7 have 
outer surfaces 10 which lie on a common cylindrical surface in which the 
outer surface 5 of the end ring 3 is also disposed in the described 
example. In the region of the connection to the end ring 3, these outer 
surfaces 10 are radially inwardly declined towards the end ring 3 at 11. 
The outer surfaces 10 of the carrier elements 7 are set back radially 
inwardly at 12 in the region of their free ends. 
The two side portions 8 are, in addition to the cross-member 9, connected 
by a row of circumferential webs 13-19. The side faces extend 
substantially radially of the coil carrier axis 6. 
The two side portions 8 of each carrier element 7 have circumferentially 
projecting guide shoulders (FIG. 6) of which the shoulder 20 of the one 
side portion 8 is directed radially inwardly and the shoulder 21 of the 
other side portion 8 radially outwardly. 
Circumferentially adjacent carrier elements 7 are rigidly interconnected in 
a reinforced section 22 near the end ring 3 by axially spaced 
circumferentially extending annular supporting elements 23-26. The 
supporting elements 23-26 are circumferentially aligned with the webs 
13-16 between the side portions 8 of the carrier elements 7. This aligned 
arrangement results in rings and, in conjunction with the carrier 
elements, in a stiff cage. Although such an arrangement is advantageous, 
the aligned arrangement of these elements is by no means essential. 
The carrier elements 7 project beyond the reinforced section 22 defined by 
the supporting elements 23-26. The inner edges 27 of the free ends of the 
carrier elements 7 are disposed in the same surfaces as are the outer 
faces of the supporting elements 23-26 or are slightly outwardly offset 
with respect thereto so that additional guiding is provided at this 
position. The web 19 near the free ends of the carrier elements 7 is 
arranged furthest radially inwardly. The webs 17 and 18 are radially 
outwardly offset in relation thereto. 
Solely for reasons of moulding technique, it may be desirable to offset the 
webs 13-19 radially with respect to each other. The same may apply to the 
supporting elements 23-26. 
In the coil carrier part 1, a spring tongue 28 projects radially between 
two carrier elements 7. It has a slide face 29 which, starting from its 
free end, rises gradually and is set back abruptly in a recess 30, again 
rises radially outwardly and then converges gradually radially inwardly. 
The spring tongue 28 can be elastically deformed radially inwardly by 
applying a suitable pressure. 
Only one spring tongue 28 is shown for the coil carrier part 1 in FIG. 1. 
It is possible to provide further such tongues. 
The coil carrier part 2 has substantially the same construction as that of 
the coil carrier part 1. Thus, it has carrier elements 35 with webs 36-42 
which connect the side portions of the carrier elements, and an end ring 
51a. The connection between adjacent carrier elements 35 is ensured by 
supporting elements 44-47. A spring tongue 50 of the described kind is 
securely connected to one supporting element 47. 
The side portions of the carrier elements 35 are, in the same way as 
described for the carrier elements 7, provided with a radially inwardly 
directed shoulder 48 or with a radially outwardly directed shoulder 49 
(FIG. 7). The circumferential spacing of the carrier elements 7 of the 
coil carrier part 1 is such that a carrier element 35 can engage between 
two carrier elements 7, one radially outwardly directed shoulder of the 
one carrier element co-operating with a radially inwardly directed 
shoulder of the other carrier element. Of course the same applies to the 
spacing between the carrier elements 35 of the second coil carrier part 2. 
In the construction as particularly shown in FIG. 9, a spring tongue 50 of 
the coil carrier part 2 engages under the web 19 of a carrier element 7 of 
the first coil carrier part 1. If, now, pressure is exerted in the axial 
direction on one of the two coil carrier parts 1, 2, the spring tongues 
28, 50 as well as any further spring tongues provided on one or both coil 
carrier parts 1, 2 are deformed radially inwardly and therefore escape the 
web 19 so that the two coil carrier parts 1, 2 can be axially telescoped. 
In the original position, the inner edges 27 of the carrier elements 7, 35 
of the coil carrier parts 1, 2 are disposed with their ends directly 
radially beyond the supporting element 26 which in this zone in 
conjunction with the side portions of the carrier elements 7, 35 thus 
produces a reliable guide between one carrier element of one coil carrier 
part and two carrier elements of the oppositely disposed coil carrier 
part. If, now, the two coil carrier parts 1, 2 are pushed into each other, 
the free ends of the carrier elements 7, 35 slide over the supporting 
elements 26-23 or 47-44. However, the supporting elements adjacent the 
respective end ring 3, 51a may also project into the path of the free ends 
of the carrier elements 7, 35 and thereby define the extent to which the 
two coil carrier parts 1, 2 can be telescoped. The tongues are likewise 
disposed radially outwardly of these supporting elements. If, now, this 
coil carrier is to be returned to its starting position after one working 
operation, it is merely necessary to pull the two coil carrier parts 1, 2 
apart until the spring tongues 28 or 50 re-engage the webs 42 or 19 and 
limit drawing-apart of the two coil carriers. 
A further embodiment of the coil carrier according to the invention will 
now be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 18. This embodiment differs 
from the previously described one particularly in that the coil carrier is 
here constructed of three parts. It comprises an upper head portion 51, a 
lower head portion 52 as well as a central portion 53. The two head 
portions 51, 52 are identical and can therefore be made in a single mould. 
The head portions substantially correspond in their construction to the 
coil carrier parts 1 or 2 of the previously described embodiment. They 
each have an end ring 54 from which uniformly circumferentially 
distributed carrier elements 55 extend parallel to the axis of the coil 
carrier as previously described. Near the end ring 54, both head portions 
51, 52 have reinforced section 56 in which adjacent carrier elements 55 
are interconnected by supporting elements 57, 58, 59. These supporting 
elements are in the form of ring elements. The supporting elements 57, 58, 
59 are intercoupled by a slide web 80 which is substantially parallel to 
the carrier elements 55 and continuously adjoins the outer faces of the 
supporting elements. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide web 80 is 
disposed directly at the side of one carrier element 55 at which the guide 
web 62 is located. It therefore contributes to improving the mutual 
guiding of the carrier elements 55, 67. 
At one side, the carrier elements 55 have outwardly directed guide shoulder 
60 which extends over the entire length of the carrier elements 55 and 
exhibits a lug 61 near the end of the carrier elements. This lug gradually 
rises as viewed from the free end of the respective carrier element 55 and 
is then abruptly set back radially inwardly. 
On the other side, each carrier element 55 has a circumferentially 
projecting guide web 62 with a radially inwardly directed guide shoulder 
63. The guide web 62 extends from the free end of the carrier element 55 
and terminates at a spacing from the reinforced section 56. The side faces 
of each carrier element 55 of the head portions are parallel in the case 
of the described embodiment. 
At its axial centre, the central portion 53 has two rings 64, 65 which are 
concentric with the coil carrier axis and of which the external diameter 
is equal to the external diameter of the end rings 54 of the head portions 
51, 52 in the illustrated example. The two rings 64, 65 are rigidly 
intercoupled by webs 66. 
Identical carrier elements 67 extend from both sides of the ring member 
formed by the rings 64, 65. Near the ring member, circumferentially 
adjacent carrier elements 67 are rigidly coupled by supporting elements 
68, 69, 70 also in the case of the central portion 53, so that reinforced 
sections 75 are here created. 
Each carrier element 67 has a radially outwardly directed guide shoulder 71 
at one side. Near the free end of each carrier element 67, a lug 72 is 
provided on the shoulder. The guide shoulder 71 extends over the entire 
length of the respective carrier element. It substantially corresponds to 
the guide shoulder 60 of the head portions 51, 52. On the other side, each 
carrier element 67 of the central portion 53 has a guide web 73 which 
forms a radially inwardly directed guide shoulder 74. The guide web 73 of 
each carrier element 67 extends from the free end up to near the 
reinforced section 75 formed by the supporting elements 68, 69, 70. It is 
comparable with the guide web 62 of the carrier elements 55. 
The spacings between two circumferentially adjacent carrier elements 67 are 
such that a carrier element 55 of the head portions 51, 52 can be 
guidingly engaged between these carrier elements 67 of the central portion 
53, in which case the outwardly directed guide shoulder 60 of the carrier 
element 55 of the head portions 51, 52 will then co-operate with the 
radially inwardly directed guide shoulder 74 of the carrier elements 67 of 
the central portion 53. In an analogous manner, the radially inwardly 
directed guide shoulder 63 of the carrier elements 55 of the head portions 
51, 52 will co-operate with the radially outwardly directed guide shoulder 
71 of the carrier elements 67 of the central portion 53. In addition, the 
supporting elements 57, 58, 59 or 68, 69, 70 will provide a further guide 
for the free ends of the carrier elements 67 or 55, respectively. 
In FIG. 10 starting position of the coil carrier, the free ends of the 
carrier elements 55 of the head portions 51, 52 lie on the supporting 
elements 70 of the central portion 53 whilst the free ends of the carrier 
elements 67 of the central portion 53 similarly rest on the supporting 
elements 59 of the head portions 51, 52. The lugs 61 and 72 of the carrier 
elements 55, 67 in this position engage behind that end of the guide webs 
62, 73 which faces the ring member 64, 65 of the central portion 53 and 
thus prevent unintentional separation of the three parts of the coil 
carrier. 
In a departure from the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 
18, the central portion can be constructed so that the carrier elements on 
the one side of the ring member are adapted to the guide slot formed 
between the carrier elements on the other side of this ring member. It 
follows that, when this part is separated at the longitudinal centre, two 
telescopable coil carrier parts are created. Starting with this part which 
can be made in one mould, two-part and multi-part coil carriers can thus 
be produced without the need for an additional mould.