Gripper guide for double-gripper weaving machines

Abstract: Gripper guide for double-gripper weaving machines, comprising two bearing arms (5) and (5') running above one another and adjustable individually in the warp direction, an L-shaped guide strip (7), (7') fixed to each bearing arm (5), (5') so that it is adjustable in height, and in front of each guide strip (7), (7') a straight guide strip (8), (8') which with each first-mentioned guide strip (7), (7') forms a U-shaped channel for the gripper bars (4), (4'), so that the latter cannot swing, the straight guide strips (8), (8') being adjustable both in the warp direction and in height, and being easy and quick to remove from their guide position, for example through a hinged connection to the respective bearing arms (5) and (5'), which permits the upper guide strip (8) to flap up and the lower guide strip (8') to flap down, while at the level of the drive gear wheels (2), (2') on the guide strips (8) and (8') at least one roller (20), (20') is disposed on a vertical shaft (21), in order to guide the gripper bars (4), (4').

Description: The present invention relates a gripper guide for gripper weaving machines. In the case of a double-gripper weaving machines provision is made along both sides of the shed formed between the warp threads for a device for driving and a device for guiding two gripper bars lying one above the other. A gripper is situated on the end of each gripper bar. By driving the gripper bars - which are situated and move in pairs in line with each other along both sides of the weaving machine - to and fro, the grippers lying in line with each other are taken for each pick simultaneously along both sides of the fabric into the open shed, a weft thread being taken along by one of the grippers and in the shed passed on to the other gripper at the place where the two grippers meet, following which both grippers are pulled back out of the shed, so that the weft thread in the end is pulled from one side of the fabric to the other side, through the shed. This cycle is repeated each time a shed is formed, a weft thread being taken in each case from one side of the fabric to the other and woven with the warp threads. The drive of the gripper bars is preferably carried out by means of drive gear wheels which mesh with toothed sides of said gripper bars. Guide means also have to be provided for each gripper bar, so that the grippers cover the desired path during their to and fro movement. A gripper guide according to the preamble part of claim 1 is described in EP-A-0 312 031. The gripper bar is guided at its rear side facing to the drive wheel by the guide strip and at its front side by three rollers disposed in staggered relation in the longitudinal direcbon of the bar. The central one of these three rollers is arranged at the opposite side of the point of mutual engagement of the longitudinal toothing of the bar and the toothing of the drive wheel so as to guarantee proper engagement. The other two rollers restrict possible bending movements of the bar in the horizontal direction away from the guide strip. These bending movements are provoked by the drive wheel acting upon the bar to move it to and fro. This known arrangement allows rapid inspection and exchange of gnpper bars, which due to the high speed of modern gripper weaving machines are subject to considerable wear and therefore often have to be replaced. However, it has turned out that in operation the front and back side of the gripper bar become uneven and the bearings of the rollers become defective after quite a short period. The object of the invention is to provide a device for guiding the gripper bars of a gripper weaving machine, which, on the one hand, permits easy access to the gripper bars for inspection an exchange and. on the other hand, extends the period of proper operation. This object is solved by the features of claim 1. The slide strip at the front side of the gripper bar cooperating with the guide strip on the opposite side of the bar effectively as parts of a U-shaped guide charme extruding approximately from said drive wheel to the rearward end of said guide strip reduces not only simple bending movements of the gripper bar about a vertical bending axis in a plane containing the drive wheel axis. Both strips also further sharply reduce the higher order harmonic vibrations of the bar in a horizontal plane. This results in a considerable reduction of wear on the bar and an increase in the operational period of the roller bearing with the further advantage that it would be sufficient to have only one of the rollers, namely the central roller on the opposite side of the driver wheel. Due to the hinge connection the slide strip may be easily removed and reset. In this way easy inspection and rapid exchange of the gripper bar is possible. GB-A-2 200 657 provides a U-shaped guide rail for the gripper bar. However, this guide rail is open in a direction facing away from the drive wheel so as to ensure that the gripper bar can be easily lifted out of the guide rail. This prior art therefore does not restrict bending or vibrational movements of the gripper rod, in the vertical plane orthogonal to the drive wheel axis furthermore the roll at the upper side (= front side) of the gripper bar is subject to all quiding and gear reaction forces during operation. which means that there is high wear on the roll and damages caused by hot spots occur frequently. GB-A-2 004 925 mentiones the problem of rapid wear and excessive heat production. In order to overcome these problems it is suggested to provide at least one device for applying solid lubncant to the gripper bar; in order to avoid excessive bending vibrations the guide rollers and are provided on both sides of the central guide roller opposing the drive wheel 11 (corresponding to the three rollers in EP-A-0 312 031). FR-A-1 555 432 shows a gripper guide with a horizontally extending flat guiding bar at the bottom side of the gripper bar and with two L-shaped guiding parts at both sides of the drive wheel which guide parts extend from that guiding bar over the side of the gripper bar facing away from the drive wheel to the bottom side of the gripper bars. These two guiding parts cannot prevent bending and vibrational movements in a horizontal plane. Furthermore. due to the relatively small contact surface excessive wear and hot spots will occur. FR-A-2 620 740 deals with the guiding of a flexible bend and therefore does not relate to the problem of reducing the wear and the preventing the development of hot spots on rigid gripper bars while permitting easy access and rapid exchange of the bar. According to claim 2 only one roller is provided within an interruption of the guide strip. Proper guiding of the gripper bar through the critical region of mutual engagement with the drive wheel is ensured by the guide strip extending on both sides at the moments of mutual engagement. When heavy loads are acting on the bar, particularly at the points of reversal of movement, the only one roller comes into effect as a backing for the gripper bar in order to avoid that the longitudinal toothing of the bar comes out of engagement with the toothing of the drive wheel. With such an arrangement the line contact between the roller and the bar, which is critical because of the small contact surface, is subjected to remarkable load only during the moments of reversal of movement. This considerably reduces the wear on the bar and prevents the only one roll from being overheating, which would lead to hot spots on the bar. Such hot spots would cause damage to surface of the bar made of thermoplastics material. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a gripper guide for double-gripper weaving machines, with a bearing housing in which drive gear wheels are disposed, and two horizontal bearing arms running above one another, each fixed so as to be adjustable in the warp direction, while at the front side of each of said bearing arms a guide strip with essentially L-shaped cross-section is fixed so that it is adjustable in height. This L-shaped guide strip is disposed in such a way that one of the angle-forming faces is fixed upright against a bearing arm, while the other angle-forming face extends forward from the bottom side of the upright face. These L-shaped guide strips end at one side where the drive gear wheels project from the bearing housing and at the other side where the bearing arms end. Along the edge of the bearing housing, past the projecting drive gear wheels and in line with each L-shaped guide strip, a short L-shaped guide piece which is adjustable in height and in the warp direction is fixed to a fixed part of the machine. The gripper guide according to a preferred embodiment of the invention also has the slide strip, disposed at a short distance before each L-shaped guide strip and parallel thereto at the same height, so that each L-shaped guide strip and the slide strip running before it form a U-shaped guide channel. According to a further embodiment of the invention Both slide strips are each individually fixed to their respective bearing arm with a hinge connection which permits easy and rapid removal of the slide strips to free the U-shaped channel along the front side. Each slide strip - or its connection devices to a carrier arm - can also be provided with one or more adjusting screws by which the distance between the respective L-shaped guide strips and the slide strip fixed before them can be adjusted individually. The gripper guide according to the invention can also be equipped with means for guiding the gripper bars even closer to the fabric edge. These means are in this case adjustable in warp direction, in weft direction and in height. The gripper guide according to a further embodiment of the invention also has in the slide strip at least one dry lubricating device which can lubricate the gripper bar during its sliding to and fro movement. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the slide strip has at the level of the gripper drive wheel a lower-lying part, on which one or more rollers are fixed on a vertical shaft, in such a way that they can guide the gripper bar with their cylindrical surface while they are rotating. The gripper bars are moved to and fro by the gripper gear wheels, so that they slide in the U-shaped guide channels situated above one another. In this case the bearing arms are individually adjustable in the warp direction, and the L-shaped guide pieces are also adjustable individually in height. The slide strips are also adjustable individually in the warp direction relative to the L-shaped guide strips. An advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the gripper bars are now also guided along the front side, which prevents swing of the gripper bars and limits the wear on various parts. Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that both the height of the guide and the play between gripper bar and drive gear wheel can be set for each gripper bar. Further advantages of the gripper guide according to the invention and of the weaving machine provided with such a gripper guide will emerge from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of such a gripper guide, without the invention being thereby limited to said possible embodiment. This description is illustrated with reference to the appended figures, in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective a gripper guide according to the invention, viewed along the rear side; Figure 2 shows in perspective a gripper guide according to the invention, viewed along the front side, in which the two component parts, for the upper and the lower gripper respectively, are moved apart along a certain distance in the vertical direction; Figures 3a and 3b show a top view of the gripper guide according to the invention, at the level of the drive gear wheel, according to the two preferred embodiments; Figure 4 shows a perpendicular cross-section of the gripper guide according to the invention, at a place where no lubricating device is provided; Figure 5 shows a perpendicular cross-section of the gripper guide according to the invention, at a place where a preferred lubricating device is provided; Figure 6 shows in perspective a gripper guide according to the invention, viewed from the side where the drive gear wheels are situated, the upper and lower component parts being moved apart along a certain distance in the vertical direction; Figure 7 shows in perspective a gripper guide according to the invention, viewed from the side as in Figure 6, provided with additional adjustable guide means, for guiding the gripper bars even doser to the fabric edge; Figure 8 shows in detail in perspective the additional adjustable guide means for guiding the gripper bars even doser to the fabric edge. A preferred embodiment of a gripper guide according to the invention is shown in perspective by means of Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, a rear view, a front view, and two side views respectively. The gripper guide is in each case shown with the drive unit to which it is attached. Situated along each side of the weaving machine is such a gripper guide with drive device extending in the weft direction towards the centre of the weaving machine, the arrangement along one side being such that it is the mirror image of the arrangement along the other side, relative to the centre of the weaving machine. The arrangement of Figures 1 and 2 is suitable for placing on the left side of the machine, at the level of the shed (viewed from the fabric side), while the arrangement of Figures 6 and 7 is suitable for placing on the right side. Since both the gripper guide according to the invention and the parts of the drive unit fixed thereto handle the guidance thereof or interact with two identical gripper bars, the gripper guide and the drive unit attached thereto are each composed of two parts which are attached to each other and are composed of the same components, each part handling the drive and guidance of one of the gripper bars (see Figs. 2, 6 and 7). If the weaving machine is viewed from the fabric side (the front side), a housing (1) is situated at the level of the place where the shed is formed, said housing being semi-cylindrical in shape, with the flat side facing forward, and in which two drive gear wheels (2) and (2') are disposed on a shaft (3) one above the other. The housing (1) is composed of two identical parts (1) and (1') which are fixed on each other, and each of which contains a drive gear wheel (2) and (2'). These drive gear wheels (2) and (2') project along the flat side partially out of the housing (1), in order to allow each of them to drive one of the two gripper bars (4), (4') which are guided along said flat side of the housing (1). The sides of the gripper bars (4) and (4') facing the drive gear wheels (2), (2') are provided with teeth for meshing with the drive gear wheels (2) and (2') over the distance needed to move the grippers situated on the ends of the gripper bars (4) and (4') into and out of the shed. An identical horizontal bearing arm (5) and (5') extending laterally in the weft direction towards the outside is fixed on the side wall of each part (1') and (1") of the housing (1) facing the outside of the weaving machine. The bearing arm (5) is in this case situated on top of the bearing arm (5'), and both bearing arms run together over the same length. Each bearing arm (5) and (5') is fixed individually to the wall of part (1') and (1") of the housing (1). The end of each bearing arm widens out for this purpose and is provided with an elongated aperture (6) and (6') extending in the warp direction (see Fig. 1). Two screws are screwed through each aperture (6), (6') into a hole in the wall of the part (1'), (1") respectively of the housing (1). Due to the fact that these screws sit through an elongated aperture (6), (6') in the bearing arm (5) and (5'), said bearing arms (5) and (5') are individually adjustable in the warp direction. An L-shape contoured guide strip (7) and (7') (Fig. 2 and Fig. 4) is now fixed at the front side of each bearing arm (5) and (5'), with the horizontal part along the bottom side. Said guide strip (7) and (7') with L-shaped cross-section lies with the vertical part against the front side of the bearing arm (5) and (5') respectively and thus runs together therewith along the entire length, along the side of the housing (1), ending just before the place where the drive gear wheel (2), (2') projects from the housing (1) to drive the gripper bar (4), (4'). The L-shaped guide strips (7) and (7') are fixed to the bearing arms (5) and (5') respectively in such a way that said strips are individually adjustable in height, through the fact that vertical apertures (5") are provided in said bearing arms (5) and (5'), through which apertures the fixing screws project when screwed into the respective L-shaped guide strips (7) and (7'). Each L-shaped guide strip (7) and (7') is fixed in this way with several screws, which are distributed over the length of the guide strip (7) and (7'). Situated along the front side of each of the two L-shaped guide strips (7) and (7') is a slide strip (8) and (8'), parallel to and at the same height as the respective guide strips (7) and (7'), and at a distance in front of the upright flank of said L-shaped guide strips which - apart from a slight play - corresponds to the width of the gripper bars (4) and (4') (see Fig. 4). Through each L-shaped guide strip (7) and (7'), combined with the slide strip (8) and (8'), a U-shaped guide channel is obtained in this way for the gripper bars (4) and (4'). The straight slide strips (8) and (8') are hingedly fixed as follows relative to the bearing arms (5) and (5'). Fixed at the top side of the upper bearing arm (5) at one side - on the one end - is the fixed part of a hinge (9), the hinged part of which is fixed to the front flank of the top slide strip (8). At the other side - on the other end - the fixed part of a hinge (10) is fixed to the housing (1), extending above the top U-shaped guide channel, while the hinged part of said hinge (10) is fixed to the slide strip (8). Each of said hinges (9) and (10) is also equipped with at least one buffer block or similar part which is integral with the fixed part, and against which the hinged parts knock when the slide strip (8) is situated opposite the L-shaped guide strip (7), ready for guiding the upper gripper bar (4). The correct position of the slide strip (8) is determined in this way. For each hinge (9) and (10) the hinged part can be fixed by means of screws (11) to the buffer block or similar component of the fixed part. The fixing of the hinge (9) to the front flank of the slide strip (8) is by means of a screw (12). The slide strip (8) can be flapped up after loosening of the screws (11). The fixing of the fixed part of the hinge (9) is by means of two screws (26) sitting through elongated apertures in said hinge (9). Said apertures extend in the warp direction, so that with the screws (26) the slide strip (8) can be set at the level of the hinge (9) closer to or further away from the L-shaped guide strip (7). At the level of the bearing housing (1) the slide strip (8) is adjustable in the warp direction by means of two screws (27) which sit through elongated apertures extending in the warp direction through hinge (10). The setting in height can take place by the insertion of plates between the hinge (10) and the slide strip (8) fixed thereto. Fixed at the bottom side of the lower bearing arm (5') are two hinges (13) and (14), the hinged parts of which are fixed to the slide strip (8'). The place and the manner of fixing are the same as the place and manner of fixing of the upper slide strip (8) relative to the upper bearing arm (5), as described above. The hinges (13) and (14) are now, however, fixed to the bottom side of the bearing arm (5'), so that the slide strip (8') can now be flapped downwards. In the raised position the slide strip (8') lies directly opposite the L-shaped guide strip (7'), while the hinged part comes to rest against a buffer block or similar component of the fixed part, to which it can be fixed with screws (15). The fixing of the hinged part of the hinge (13) to the front flank of the slide strip (8') takes place by means of a screw (16) with which the slide strip (8') can be adjusted in height, as described above forslide strip (8) with screw (12). The adjustment in the warp direction of the slide strip (8') at the level of hinge (13) also takes place by means of two screws (26) (not visible in the figures) which sit through elongated apertures extending in the warp direction through the hinge (13). At the level of hinge (14) the adjustment in the warp direction and in height of the slide strip (8') can take place in the same way as that of slide strip (8) at the level of hinge (10), with screws (27) (not visible) and through the interposition of plates respectively. Along the rear side of the bearing arm (5) and (5') (see Fig. 1) a short L-shaped supporting section (17) is fixed to the frame of the weaving machine. The horizontal part of said supporting section (17) is at the correct height for supporting the lower bearing arm (5'). Said supporting section (17) is fixed to the weaving machine in a manner which is adjustable in height, by providing the fixing flank of said supporting section (17) with an aperture extending in the vertical direction, through which the fixing screws project and are screwed into the frame of the machine. The preferred embodiment of the gripper guide according to the invention is also equipped with a short section (18) and (18') (see Fig. 6) with L-shaped cross-section in line with each L-shaped guide piece (7) and (7') fixed to the housing (1) or another fixed part of the weaving machine. Said sections (18) and (18') are provided for guiding the gripper bars (4), (4'), past the place where the drive gear wheels (2), (2') project from the housing (1). Their fixing to the housing (1) or another fixed part (see Fig. 6) is such that the arrangement can be altered both in height and in the warp direction. For this, each section (18) and (18') has a horizontal arm which is provided with an elongated aperture, extending in the warp direction, for fixing with a screw, bolt and nut, or similar means. Through this elongated aperture, each section (18) and (18') is adjustable in the warp direction. Both sections (18) and (18') are fixed to an L-shaped fixing piece (19), (19') respectively which are adjustable in height, one leg of the fixing piece (19) and (19') being fixed against the horizontal arm of the section (18), (18') respectively, while the other angle-forming leg is fixed to a fixed part of the weaving machine by means of a screw, a bolt and nut, or similar connecting device which sits through an elongated vertically extending aperture of the fixing piece (19), (19') respectively, as a result of which said fixing pieces (19) and (19'), and consequently also the sections (18), (18') respectively fixed thereto, are adjustable in height. The preferred embodiment of the gripper guide according to the invention is also characterised in that a roller (20) and (20') is disposed on the top side of each slide strip (8) and (8'), at the same width for both slide strips (8) and (8'), at the level of the drive gear wheels (2), (2') respectively. These rollers (20) and (20') are situated on a vertical shaft (21) and are disposed in such away that with their cylindrical surface they can guide the gripper bars (4), (4') respectively which slide to and fro behind the slide strips (8) and (8'). Each slide strip (8) and (8') preferably also contains a dry lubricating device, shown in a preferred embodiment in Figure 5. Each slide strip (8) and (8') there is crossed locally in the horizontal direction by a hollow space or bore. Along the front side said aperture in the wall of each slide strip (8), (8') can be shut off by means of a cover, screw cap or similar means (22). Resting against the inside of said screw cap (22) is a spring (23), whose other side presses against a teflon stick (24). The end of said teflon stick (24), or the part which is fixed on said end, against which the spring (23) presses, is provided with a widened part (25). The other end of the teflon stick (24) projects out through the aperture in the wall of the slide strip (8) or (8') and presses against the gripper bars (4), (4') respectively. The widened part (25) is of such dimensions relative to the aperture through which the stick (24) projects that it is impossible for the teflon stick (24) to come completely out of the slide strip (8) or (8'). The screw cap (22) or cover can be screwed as desired further or less far into the internal screw thread which is provided in the hollow space or bore through the slide strip (8), (8'), so that the spring (23) exerts more or less pressure on the teflon stick (24) which is pressed against the front flank of the gripper bar (4) or (4'). The vertical flanks of the slide strips (8) and (8') along the edge of the gripper bars (4), (4') are provided with an anti-friction surface coating. The housing (1) of the drive gear wheels (2) and (2') is also provided with means for fixing a suspension bar to which then - corresponding to Belgian Patent No. 8,701,166 - adjustable guide means are fixed, for guiding the gripper bars (4) and (4') even closer to the fabric edge. In a preferred embodiment of these additional guide means, the housing (1) of the drive gear wheels (2), (2') is provided (see Figure 1) with a horizontally extending U-shaped recess (28) along the top side of the upper part (1') of the housing (1), and with an identical recess (not visible in the figures) along the bottom side of the lower part (1") of the housing (1). A suspension bar (29), (29') extending further than the housing (1) in the direction of the fabric, in the weft direction, is fixed in these second slits (28). These suspension bars (29), (29') each have a part (30), (30') which can slide out in line with them in the direction of the fabric, and which can be adjusted at any desired extended length and fixed by means of a clamping screw or similar device. Aguide piece (31) extending vertically downward is fixed on the end of the telescopic part (30) of the upper suspension bar (29). Said guide piece (31) has a lower part which is essentially C-shaped, the open side being situated along the front side. The space enclosed by the C-shaped part has a cross-section which, apart from a certain play, corresponds to the cross-section of the gripper bar (4), in such a way that said gripper bar (4), extending from the gripper guide, can extend through said space endosed by the C-shaped part, resting on the lower horizontal internal face of said C-shaped part. The gripper bar (4) is consequently guided by the guide piece (31) along the bottom side, the top side and the rear side. Said guide piece (31) is fixed so that it is adjustable in height - by means of a screw (31') sitting through an elongated aperture extending vertically - to the part (30) of the suspension bar (29). Due to the fact that the part (30) is telescopic, the guide piece (31) is also adjustable in the weft direction. In addition, the guide piece (31) is adjustable in the warp direction. For this, a micrometer screw (31") is provided (see Figure 8), by means of which a displacement in the warp direction of the part (30), and thus of the guide piece (31), relative to the suspension bar (29) can be obtained. Before this adjustment is carried out, a screw (31") must be loosened. After the correct adjustment, said screw (31") is tightened again. An L-shaped guide piece (32) is fixed on the end of the telescopic part (30') of the lower suspension bar (29'), with the one angle-forming part parallel to the horizontal top face of the telescopic part (30'), and with the other angle-forming part, at right angles thereto - on the rear edge thereof - directed upwards, the upright part extending parallel to the lengthwise direction of the suspension bar (29'). The dimensions of said L-shaped guide piece (32) are such that it can guide the lower gripper bar (4') along the bottom and along the back. For the fixing of this L-shaped guide piece (32) to the part (30') of the suspension bar (29'), this L-shaped guide piece (32) has along the bottom side of the horizontal part a vertically downward directed plate (33) which abuts the front flank of the part (30') of the suspension bar (29'). This plate (33) is provided with an upward extending, elongated hole for a screw (33'), which is tightened in the front flank of the part (30') of the suspension bar (29'), as a result of which the L-shaped guide piece (32) is fixed so that it is adjustable in height. Due to the fact that the part (30') is telescopic, the L-shaped guide piece (32) is also adjustable in the weft direction. The guide piece (32) is also adjustable in the warp direction. For this, a micrometer screw (33"') is provided (see Figure 8), by means of which a displacement in the warp direction of the part (30), and thus of the guide piece (32), relative to the suspension bar (29') can be obtained. Before this adjustment is carried out, a screw (33") must be loosened. After the correct adjustment, said screw (33") is tightened again. An advantage of the invention is in the first place that swing of the gripper bars is prevented through the provision of a slide strip (8), (8') along the front side of each gripper bar (4), (4'). The wear on the gripper bars (4), (4') and the guide rollers (20), (20') and their bearing is thereby considerably limited, so that replacement of one or more of these parts is needed less frequently. This wear is even more limited through the fact that the gripper bars (4) and (4') are constantly lubricated with a dry lubricating device - preferably a teflon stick (24) - and through the fact that the slide strips (8) and (8') are provided with an anti-friction surface coating. An additional consequence of this advantage is that it is now possible to weave at a higher weaving speed. Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that it is easier to adjust the play between drive gear wheels (2), (2') and gripper bars (4), (4'). Yet another advantage of the invention is that it is possible to carry out both the adjustments in the warp direction and the adjustments in height of the gripper guide separately per gripper bar.

Claims: Gripper guide for gripper weaving machines, comprising a drive wheel (2, 2') disposed at the rear side of a gripper bar (4, 4') and a guide strip (7, 7') which is extending along that same side in the direction of the motion of said gripper bar (4, 4'), wherein opposite the drive wheel (2, 2') at the front side of the gripper bar (4, 4') a roller (20, 20') is disposed in such a way that the gripper bar (4, 4') is held between the roller (20, 20') and the drive wheel (2, 2'), characterized in that at the front side of the gripper bar (4, 4') parallel to the guide strip (7, 7') a slide strip (8, 8') is disposed in such a way that the gripper bar (4, 4') can move to and fro between the guide strip (7, 7') and the slide strip (8, 8'), as parts of a U-shaped guide channel sliding with its front side against said slide strip (8, 8'), and that the slide strip (8, 8') is fixed opposite the guide strip (7, 7') by means of one or more hinges (9, 10, 13, 14) permitting easy and rapid removal of the slide strip (8, 8') said guide channel extending approximately from said drive wheel (2,2') to the rearward end of said guide strip (7,7'). Gripper guide according to claim 1, characterized in that at the front side of the gripper bar (4, 4') within an interruption of the guide strip only one roller (20, 20') is provided. Gripper guide, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for guiding the grippers of a double-gripper weaving machine, a double gripper guide is provided, with two rollers (20, 20') being disposed opposite each of two driving wheels (2,2'), which are disposed above one another, and with two slide strips (8, 8'), namely an upper slide strip (8) and a lower slide strip (8'), and two guide strips (7), (7'), namely an upper guide strip (7) and a lower guide strip (7'), which are extending above one another, in such a way that the respective gripper bar (4, 4'), can move to and fro between the guide strip (7, 7') and the slide strip (8, 8'). Gripper guide, according to claim 3, characterized in that the upper slide strip and the lower slide strip are assembled so as to form one unit. Gripper guide, according to claim 3, characterized in that on the one hand, the upper guide strip (7) and the upper slide strip (8), and on the other hand the lower guide strip (7') and the lower slide strip (8'), are made and assembled in order to form separately adjustable parts of the double gripper guide. Gripper guide, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, instead of a roller (20, 20') being provided opposite the driving wheel (2, 2') at the opposite side of the gripper bar (4, 4') the slide strip (8, 8') is extending there, in the drive direction, in such a way that near the drive wheel (2, 2'), the gripper bar (4, 4') is held between the slide strip (8, 8') and the drive wheel (2, 2'). Gripper guide, according to one of the claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the gripper guide is composed of two horizontal bearing arms (5, 5') namely an upper bearing arm (5) and a lower bearing arm (5'), running above one another, which are fixed so that they are adjustable in the warp direction, to a fixed part of the weaving machine, in that at the front side of each of said bearing arms (5, 5'), a respective guide strip (7, 7') with essentially L-shaped cross-section is fixed so that it is adjustable in height, in that at a short distance before each L-shaped guide strip (7, 7'), and parallel thereto, a slide strip (8, 8') is disposed at the same height, so that each L-shaped guide strip (7, 7') and the slide strip (8, 8') extending before it, form a U-shaped guide channel, both slide strips (8, 8'), being fixed to their respective bearing arm (5, 5'), by means a hinges (9, 10, 13, 14) permitting easy and rapid removal of one or both slide strips (8, 8'), to free the U-shaped channel along the front side. Gripper guide, according to claim 7, characterized in that each bearing arm (5, 5'), is individually fixed, so that it is adjustable in the warp direction, to a fixed part of the weaving machine, in that each guide strip (7, 7') is individually adjustable in height, and in that each slide strip (8, 8') is individually fixed to the respective bearing arm (5, 5') by means of hinges (9, 10, 13, 14) permitting easy and rapid removal of each of the slide strips (8, 8') individually. Gripper guide, according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that fixed a the top side of the upper bearing arm (5) on the one hand - near the one end - is one of the hinged parts of a first hinge (9), the other hinged part of the first hinge (9) being fixed to the front flank of the upper slide strip (8), and in that on the other hand - near the other end - one of the hinged parts of a second hinge (10) is fixed to the housing (1), the other hinged part of the second hinge (10) being fixed to the upper slide strip (8), each of said first and second hinges (9, 10) being equipped with at least one buffer block or similar part, which is integral with the hinged part which is fixed to the upper bearing arm (5), respectively to the housing (1), in such a way that the other hinged parts of these first and second hinges (9, 10), touch the buffer block or similar part, when the upper slide strip (8) is situated opposite the upper guide strip (7), in its position for guiding the upper gripper bar (4), in that the latter hinged parts of the first and second hinges (9, 10) can be fixed to that buffer block or simlar parts by means of screws (11) or similar means, in that the upper slide strip (8) can pivot upwards, relative to the upper bearing arm (5) and in that a third hinge (13) and a fourth hinge (14) are fixed with one of their hinged parts to the bottom side of the lower bearing arm (5') respectively near both ends of it, the other hinged parts of these third and fourth hinges (13, 14) being fixed to the lower slide strip (8'), while each of the third and fourth hinges (13, 14) is equipped with at least one buffer block or similar part, which is integral with the hinged part, which is fixed to the lower bearing arm (5'), in such a way that the other hinged parts of the third and fourth hinges (13, 14), touch the buffer block or simlar part, when the lower slide strip (8') is situated opposite the lower guide strip (7'), in its position for guiding the lower gripper bar (4'), and in that the latter hinged parts of the third and fourth hinges (13, 14) can be fixed to that buffer block or similar part, by means of screws (15) or similar means, and in that the lower slide strip (8') can pivot downwards, relative to the lower bearing arm (5'). Gripper guide according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that each slide strip (8, 8') or its connecting means is provided with one or more adjusting screws (26), (27) by means of which the horizontal distance between the respective L-shaped guide strip (7, 7') and the respective slide strip (8, 8') fixed before it, can be adjusted separately. Gripper guide according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one dry lubricating device is provided for lubricating the gripper bar during its sliding to and fro movement. Gripper guide according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that each bearing arm (5, 5') is fixed individually to the wall of a respective part (1', 1") of the housing (1), while the end of each bearing arm widens out for this purpose and is provided with at least one elongated aperture (6, 6') extending in the warp direction, screws being screwed through each aperture (6,6') into a bore in the wall of the respective part (1', 1") of the housing (1), so that said bearing arms (5, 5') are Individually adjustable In the warp direction, in that an L-shape contoured guide strip (7, 7') is fixed at the front side of each bearing arm (5, 5'), with the horizontal part along the bottom side, while said guide strips (7, 7') lie with the vertical part against the front side of the respective bearing arm (5, 5'), thus running together therewith along the entire length, along the side of the housing (1), and ending just before the place where the drive gear wheel (2, 2') projects from the housing (1), and the L-shaped guide strips (7, 7') are fixed to the bearing arms (5, 5') in such a way that said strips are individually adjustable in height, through the fact that one or more vertical apertures (5") are provided in said bearing arms (5,5'), through which apertures the fixing screws project during screwing into the respective bearing arms (5, 5'). Gripper guide according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hinged part of the hinges (9, 13) is fixed to the front flank of the slide strip (8, 8'), by means of a screw (12, 16), sitting through elongated and vertically extending apertures, in such a way that the height of the slide strip (8, 8') can be adjusted. Gripper guide according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is also equipped with a short section (18, 18') with L-shaped cross-section in line with each L-shaped guide strip (7, 7') fixed to a housing (1) or another fixed part of the weaving machine, past the place where the drive gear wheels (2, 2') project from the housing (1), their fixing to the housing (1) or another fixed part being in such a way that the arrangement can be altered both in height and in the warp direction, for which each section (18, 18') has a horizontal arm which is provided with an elongated aperture - extending in the warp direction - for fixing with a screw, bolt and nut, or similar means, and both sections (18, 18') are fixed to an L-shaped fixing piece (19, 19') which are adjustable in height, one leg of the fixing piece (19, 19') being fixed against the horizontal arm of the respective section (18, 18'), while the other angle-forming leg is fixed to a fixed part of the weaving machine by means of a screw, a bolt and nut, or similar connecting means, which sits through an elongated vertically extending aperture of the respective fixing piece (19, 19'). Gripper guide according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each slide strip (8, 8') at least one teflon stick is provided which projects until it is against the gripper bar (4, 4'), while by means of a rotatable part (22) the compression of a spring - which with its other end pushes away the teflon stick (24) - can be regulated, so that the teflon stick (24) pushes with an adjustable pressure against said gripper bar (4, 4'). Gripper guide according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side of the slide strips (8, 8') facing the gripper bars (4, 4') is provided with an anti-friction surface coating. Gripper guide according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (1) of the drive gear wheels (2, 2') is provided with at least one slit (28), in which a suspension bar (29, 29') extending towards the fabric can be fixed, while a means (31, 32) is fixed on each suspension bar (29, 29') for guiding a gripper bar (4, 4') close to the fabric edge, and said means (31, 32) are fixed to their respective suspension bars (29, 29') so that they are adjustable in height, in the weft direction and in the warp direction.

Inventors: DEBAES JOHNNY, DEBAES, JOHNNY
Applicants: WIELE MICHEL VAN DE NV, N.V. MICHEL VAN DE WIELE
Application year: 1991
Main classification: D03D47
IPC codes: D03J1, D03D47