SEPARATOR STRUCTURE FOR GUIDING WEAVING LOOM FRAMES

Abstract: The separator structure (1) for guiding weaving loom frames comprises a pair of spaced-apart parallel plate-like elements (2, 3) joined to one another by at least one border (4) which affects a portion of the periphery of the plate-­ like elements (2, 3). Coupling formations (5, 13) are furthermore provided to stably join the plate-like elements (2, 3) and the border (4).

Description: The present invention relates to a separator structure for guiding weaving loom heddle frames. As known, separators are applied to weaving loom heddle frames and have the function of preventing the frame from bending when it is raised with respect to the other frames so that no interferences occur when it descends. Frame separators have a substantially flattened configuration so as to define the actual guiding body and have two substantially plate-like portions which are arranged astride the frame so as to guide them in position. Said separators must be very light and mechanically sturdy, and therefore used to be made of special woods with considerable constructive complications. Wooden separators, however, have the disadvantage of being subject to rapid wear, with the consequent need to frequently replace them. In order to try to obviate this disadvantage, separators have already been marketed which are substantially constituted by a pair of opposite plate-like elements, made of laminated plastic material, which are glued at one end to a body which is arranged at the guiding body and is made of rigid polyurethane or other plastic materials. Such paired plate-like separator elements are disclosed for example by the document DE-A-3 440 518, in which one of the plates is in plastic material while the other is metallic. With respect to wood, such separators have greater resistance to wear, but they are very heavy, due to the mass of synthetic material which defines the guiding body, and are furthermore expensive to manufacture, since they entail a plurality of operative steps for assembling the laminated-plastic plate-like elements on the synthetic-material body. Another disadvantage furthermore resides in the fact that as they are obtained by mutually gluing a plurality of component elements their degree of surface finish is generally not particularly high. The aim of the present invention is indeed to eliminate the above described disadvantages by providing a separator structure for guiding loom frames having a very high resistance to wear, since the plate-like elements which in practice define the surfaces of possible mutual scraping are made of laminated plastic but have, at the same time, considerable lightness characteristics. Within the scope of the above described aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide a separator structure in which the stable coupling between the plate-like elements and the body can be provided at the guiding body in an effective and rapid manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a separator structure which has perfectly smooth and finished outer surfaces, thus contributing to an improved functionality of the assembly as well as to an improvement in its aesthetic characteristics. Not least object of the present invention is to provide a separator structure which is simplified in manufacture and is furthermore competitive from a merely economical point of view. The above described aim, the objects mentioned and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a separator structure for guiding loom heddle frames comprising a pair of plate-like elements , according to the invention, characterized in that said plate-like elements, parallel and spaced-apart are joined by at least one separate border element affecting a portion of a periphery defined by said plate-like elements, coupling means being furthermore provided to stably couple said plate-like elements and said border. Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a separator structure for guiding loom frames, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a schematic view of the separator structure according to the invention; figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines I-I of figure 1; figure 3 is a schematic view of the application of the separators to the frames of weaving looms; figure 4 is a schematic partially exploded perspective view of the separator structure according to the invention; figure 5 is a partially cutout perspective view of the plate-like elements; figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of figure 5. With reference to the above described figures, the separator structure for guiding weaving loom frames, according to the invention, is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 and comprises a pair of plate-like elements 2 and 3 advantageously made of laminated composite material, preferably constituted by woven material and resin, by papers and by other materials, or even by a lamination of the type commercially known by the trade-name "Formica". The plate-like elements 2 and 3 advantageously have a substantially elongated rectangular shape with rounded corners. Said plate-like elements 2 and 3 are arranged parallel and opposite each other in spaced-apart relationship and are joined by means of an element made of plastic material which is inserted by injection molding and is constituted at least by one border element generally indicated by the reference numeral 4. Dividing elements 7 may furthermore be advantageously provided; said elements divide the open cavity defined by the border 4 and by the plate-like components 2 and 3 into reduced-volume chambers. Said dividing elements 7 taper along their longitudinal extension to facilitate their separation from the mold, and their transverse cross sections define concave surfaces 11 and 12 to reduce weight while preserving a large surface for coupling to said plate-like elements. As is evident from the drawing, the border portion 4 only affects a part of the plate-like elements, so that said plate-like elements are mutually disengaged for a certain part of their longitudinal extension, i.e. starting from the edge 8, and define in practice the region for coupling to the frames of the weaving loom, which are indicated by the reference numeral 10 in figure 3. Mutual coupling means are provided to stably connect the plate-like elements and the border 4, and according to what is illustrated in the drawings they are constituted by a bevel 5 which is provided on the outer edge of the plate-like elements and prevents the uncoupling of the plate-like elements by mutual spacing, while the divarication of the border 4 is prevented by channels or grooves 14 defined on the opposite faces of the plate-like elements 2 and 3. Through holes 13 may furthermore be provided on the plate-like elements to increase the locking of the border proximate to its free ends; said holes provide firm locking points as they are filled by the plastic material. A series of holes may furthermore be provided, for example instead of the grooves 14, affecting the periphery of the plate-like elements at region affected by the border so that the introduction of the plastic material therein constitutes a divarication-preventing element. As previously mentioned, the border portion 4 and the dividing elements 7 are provided by means of a molding of plastic material, and the plate-like elements must therefore be positioned precisely in the molds; two holes, indicated by the reference numeral 6, are provided for this purpose and are engaged by centering elements constituted by pins or dowels correspondingly provided in said mold. The use of the channels or grooves 14 on the plate-like elements 2 and 3, as better illustrated in the detail transverse sectional view of figure 6, allows to reduce or eliminate the holes 13 on the plate-like elements 2 and 3, facilitating manufacturing operations to a considerable extent. Said dividing elements 7, besides giving further stability to the separator structure by virtue of the adhesion of the injection-molded plastic material to the grooved surface of the plate-like elements, provide a simplified and effective means for reducing the noise produced by mutual impacts during the movement of the frames without having to introduce sound-absorbing material, thus contributing to a further reduction and simplification of the manufacturing steps. From what has been described above it can thus be seen that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that a separator is provided in which the plate-like elements are obtained with a plastic lamination, therefore with a highly wear-resistant material, and that the guiding body is delimited by the border which affects the periphery and is connected to the dividing elements, which have a very small cross section, with the consequent advantage of obtaining a separator having a very low weight. Another important aspect resides in the fact that the coupling between the plate-like elements and the border is not provided by glueing but by molding the border directly on the plate-like elements, which are correctly positioned inside the molds. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Separator structure for guiding weaving loom heddle frames, comprising a pair of plate-like elements (2, 3) characterized in that said plate-like elements (2, 3), parallel and spaced-apart, are joined by at least one separate border element (4) affecting a portion of a periphery defined by said plate-like elements (2, 3), coupling means (5, 13, 14) being furthermore provided to stably couple said plate-like elements (2, 3) and said border element (4). Separator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate-like elements (2, 3) define, in co-operation with said border element (4), an open cavity in which means (7) are provided to divide said cavity into a plurality of reduced-volume chambers. Separator structure according to claim 2, characterized in that said means adapted to divide said cavity into a plurality of chambers are constituted by dividing elements (7) which extend longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal extension of said plate-like elements (2, 3). Separator structure, according to claim 2, characterized in that said border element (4) is concave on its inner side, said dividing elements (7) having concave lateral faces (11, 12). Separator structure according to claim 2, characterized in that said means to divide said cavity comprise dividing elements (7) taper along their longitudinal extension. Separator structure, according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for mutually coupling said plate-like elements (2, 3) and said border element (4) have interlocking means (13, 14), adapted to prevent relative movement of said plate-like elements (2, 3) with respect to said border element (4) in planes which are essentially parallel to the planes in which said plate-like elements are arranged, and means (5) adapted to prevent movement of said plate-like elements (2, 3) along a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane in which said plate-like elements are arranged. Separator structure according to claim 6, characterized in that said means adapted to prevent movement of said plate-like elements (2, 3) along planes essentially parallel to the planes in which said plate-like elements are arranged are constituted by channels (14) provided on opposite faces of said plate-like elements and engaged by complementary protrusions provided on said border element (4) and on said dividing elements (7). Separator structure, according to claim 6, characterized in that said means adapted to prevent the movement of said plate-like elements (2, 3) in planes essentially parallel to the planes in which said plate-like elements are arranged comprise holes (13) which are defined at least along a portion of the periphery of said plate-like elements and are engaged by protrusions provided on said border element (4). Separator structure, according to claim 6, characterized in that said means adapted to prevent the movement of said plate-like elements (2, 3) relatively to said border element (4) along a direction substantially perpendicular to the planes in which said plate-like elements are arranged are constituted by a lip (9) defined by said border element (4) and engaging a bevel portion (5) defined perimetrally by said plate-like elements. Separator structure, according to claim 2, characterized in that said border element (4) and said means (7) to divide said cavity are obtained by molding plastic material on said plate-like elements (2, 3) arranged in a mold. Separator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises centering holes defined on said plate-like elements (2, 3) to act as locator elements in said mold.

Inventors: CARRARA, ELIO
Applicants: LAMIFLEX S.P.A.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: D03C9
IPC codes: D03C9, D03C13