Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method for fabricating three, four, six, or eight-threaded knotlessly woven nets, which involves aligning at least a plurality of flyer wheels to form a braiding head, and then positioning two such braiding heads against one another. Bobbins are then positioned on recesses formed at discrete intervals along the circumference of said flyer wheels, and the bobbins are then rotated about said flyer wheels in figure-eight shaped fashion to weave a net shank. Then, the bobbins are rotated between the braiding heads in figure-eight shaped fashion to form a connection point between the net shanks.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART STATEMENT 
     This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of knotlessly braided nets according to the quadruple flyer wheel principle, in which the net mesh forming the net shanks comprises three, four, six or eight threads. The knotlessly braided net is used especially in the manufacture of fishing devices. 
     The so-called quadruple flyer wheel principle for the manufacture of four-threaded, knotlessly braided nets is known from DD-PS Nos. 30922, 43176 and 86061. It is characterized by the fact that a multiplicity of braiding heads are provided next to each other for the manufacture of four-threaded net shanks, which in each case comprises four squarely arranged flyer wheels. Manufacture of the net shanks on each braiding head is carried out by rotation of four bobbins diagonally arranged towards each other in figure 8-shaped paths. The flyer wheels are provided with four rectangularly arranged recesses for receiving and transporting the bobbins. 
     Shunts are provided between the flyer wheels of adjoining braiding heads to produce the connection point between adjoining, four-threaded net shanks, over which passage of the bobbins from one braiding head to the adjoining one is accomplished. 
     In view of the arrangement and the number of flyer wheels in the quadruple flyer wheel principle, as well as the formation of the flyer wheels with four recesses, eight steps or 90°  revolutions of the flyer wheels are recessary to manufacture one braid in the shank. The same number of steps is necessary to manufacture the connection point. 
     An arrangement for the manufacture of four-threaded, knotlessly braided nets (DD-PS No. 103 282) has been known, in which the individual braiding heads for the manufacture of the net shanks comprise three flyer wheels (triple flyer wheel principle). Manufacture of the net shank on a braiding head is accomplished by rotating four bobbins, arranged in pairs vis-a-vis each other, according to a predetermined plan. Each flyer wheel has four 90°-spaced recesses for the bobbins. 
     In view of the arrangement and the number of flyer wheels under the triple flyer wheel principle, the manufacture of one braid in a squarely cord-shaped net shank requires twelve steps or 90° turns of the flyer wheels. The connection point between two net shanks can be manufactured in three steps. 
     An arrangement and a method for the manufacture of three-threaded knotlessly braided nets has been further known (DD-PS No. 49967). Each of the flyer wheels has three recesses arranged at angles of 120° for receiving the bobbins (120° separation of the flyer wheels). 
     The disadvantages of this braiding arrangement are that three 120° revolutions of the flyer wheels are necessary to manufacture the connection point, such connection point considered far from ideal in the physical-textile sense. 
     Finally, DD-PS No. 137 606 discloses an arrangement, including a method for the manufacture of a six-threaded, knotlessly braided net. The net is characterized by the fact that each net shank comprises two adjoining, triple-threaded, plaited nettings, in which at each connection point each triple-threaded netting of one net shank crosses each triple-threaded netting of the other net shank. Manufacture of the net is carried out on a braiding maching wherein each braiding head comprises four flyer wheels and each flyer wheel has three recesses arranged at angles of 120°. 
     The disadvantage of this net is that braiding of all the six threads does not occur in the net shank. 
     The object of this invention is to simplify the technical method for the manufacture of three, four, six and eigth-threaded, knotlessly braided nets according to the quadruple flyer wheel principle and to eliminate the physical-textile shortcomings of known knotlessly braided nets. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention has the object of creating a method for the manufacture of knotlessly braided nets based on the quadruple flyer wheel principle, that is less costly and less technically complicated for the manufacture of net shanks and connection points, provided that the square cord form of the net shanks, as well as the path of the bobbins which has been predetermined through the braiding of the net shanks, is maintained on manufacture of the connection point. 
     The method of this invention for manufacture of knotlessly braided nets according to the quadruple flyer wheel principle, in which the net shanks forming the net mesh comprise three, four, six or eight threads, is characterized by the fact that manufacture of the net shanks is carried out by paths formed by the flyer wheels of the individual braiding heads that diagonally cross each other and that the connection point of the net shanks is produced at the passage of the bobbins over shunts provided between the flyer wheels of adjoining braiding heads. 
     Manufacture of the three-threaded net shanks occurs in the figure 8-shaped paths formed by two flyer wheels per braiding head, in which the flyer wheels are provided with four recesses at 90° angles for the bobbins, and that to produce the connection point, one begins with bobbin positions concentrated in the recesses between flyer wheels of adjoining braiding heads, in which creation of the connection point is accomplished after two 90° turns of the flyer wheels. 
     Manufacture of the four-threaded net shanks occurs in the figure 8-shaped paths formed by four squarely arranged flyer wheels per braiding head, in which the flyer wheels are provided with recesses arranged at 120° angles for the bobbin pairs, the figure 8-shaped paths of each braiding head that diagonally cross each other are formed by the flyer wheels that are diagonally opposite and a pair of bobbins revolves in each figure 8-shaped path. 
     Manufacture of the six-threaded net shank occurs in figure 8-shaped paths formed by four squarely arranged flyer wheels per braiding head, in which the flyer wheels are either provided with four recesses at angles of 90° or with three recesses at angles of 120° for the bobbin pairs, and in which one pair of bobbins revolves in a path formed by the flyer wheels and the two remaining bobbin pairs revolve in a path that diagonally crosses the first path. 
     A final feature of the invention is that creation of the connection point is accomplished by shifting the bobbin pairs to the flyer wheel of the adjoining braiding head corresponding to the respective individual bobbin pairs, after manufacture of the eight-threaded net shank in the figure 8-shaped paths formed by the four squarely arranged flyer wheels per braiding head, in which the flyer wheels are provided with four recesses at angles of 90° for the bobbin pairs. 
     This invention makes it possible to simplify the technical process for the manufacture of the connection point of three-threaded, knotlessly braided nets, in which the physical-textile qualities of the connection point are improved at the same time. 
     Concerning the four-threaded net, utilization of the quadruple flyer wheel principle as opposed to the triple flyer wheel principle is an advantage because less steps are required for the manufacture of the braid in the net shank, in combination with a reduction of steps in the production of the connection point from eight to five steps. 
     Another advantage of the proposed method for the manufacture of four-threaded nets is that only three recesses are necessary for receiving and transporting the bobbins. (Previously four recesses per flyer wheel in the quadruple flyer wheel principle were all that were known.) Due to the smaller technical requirements per flyer wheel, the possibility arises of utilizing larger spools with a higher capacity. 
     In view of the production of six-threaded, knotlessly braided nets, the invention makes it possible to manufacture a compact, cord-formed netting mesh. 
     By utilizing the proposed method for the manufacture of eight-threaded, knotlessly braided nets, it is possible to make the connection point compact, symmetrical and with advantageous physical-textile properties, whereby the sturdiness of the net, for instance as cod end material of dragnets, is substantially improved. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is described in more detail in the next paragraphs with reference to the drawings. 
     FIGS. 1(A)-(I) illustrate a braiding head and step by-step manufacture of a three-threaded net shank; 
     FIGS. 2(A)-(I) illustrate two adjoining braiding heads and step-by-step manufacture of the adjoining net shank; 
     FIGS. 3(A)-(B) illustrate step-by-step manufacture of the connection point of two adjoining net shanks; 
     FIGS. 4(A)-(G) illustrate braiding head and the steps toward manufacture of one braid for a four-threaded net shank; 
     FIGS. 5(A)-(G) illustrate two adjoining braiding heads and the steps toward manufacture of adjoining four-threaded net shanks; 
     FIGS. 6(A)-(F) illustrate two adjoining braiding heads and the steps toward manufacture of the connection point between the adjoining net shanks; 
     FIGS. 7(A)-(I) illustrate braiding head wheel and step-by-step manufacture of a six-threaded net shank; 
     FIGS. 8(A)-(I) illustrate two adjoining braiding heads and the step-by-step manufacture of the adjoining net shanks; 
     FIGS. 9(A)-(I) illustrate step-by-step manufacture of the connection point of two adjoining net shanks; 
     FIGS. 10(A)-(G) illustrate braiding head and the step-by-step manufacture of a six-threaded net shank; 
     FIGS. 11(A)-(G) illustrate two adjoining braiding heads in the step-by-step manufacture of adjoining net shanks; 
     FIGS. 12(A)-(G) illustrate step-by-step manufacture of the connection point of two adjoining net shanks; 
     FIGS. 13(A)-(I) illustrate a braiding unit comprising two braiding heads and the step-by-step manufacture of the eight-threaded net shanks; and 
     FIGS. 14(A)-(I) illustrate a braiding unit comprising two braiding heads and the step-by-step manufacture of the connection point. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to the manufacture of three-threaded, knotlessly braided nets. 
     FIG. 1(A) illustrates the braiding head 20 for the manufacture of a three-threaded net shank. The braiding head 20 comprises the flyer wheels 21 and 22, each provided with four recesses 25 arranged at 90° angles for receiving and transporting bobbins 1 to 3. The bobbins 1 to 3 revolve in the figure 8-shaped path formed by the flyer wheels 21 and 22. The turning direction of the flyer wheels is marked by arrows. 
     FIGS. 1(B)-(I) illustrate the step-by-step preparation of the net shank by 90° revolutions of the two flyer wheels 21 and 22. Bobbins 1 to 3 are again in their starting positions after eight steps, in other words, a braid is produced in the net shank after eight steps. 
     FIG. 2(A) illustrates a braiding unit comprising braiding heads 20 and 30. The braiding heads border on each other with their flyer wheels 21 and 22 or 31 and 32. FIGS. 2(B)-(I) illustrate step-by-step production of the two net shanks by eight 90° revolutions of the flyer wheels. 
     FIG. 3 relates to the production of the connection point between adjoining net shanks. For manufacture of the connection point, it will be feasible to start with positions of the bobbins 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 concentrated in the recesses 25 or 35 between the flyer wheels of adjoining braiding heads. The most feasible starting position for the passage of the bobbins for manufacture of the connection point is illustrated in the partial FIG. 2(C). From the step-by-step illustration of the connection point according to FIG. 3 (a, b), it can be seen that the connection point is completed after two 90° revolutions of the flyer wheels, after which manufacture of the net shank can be started again. 
     In contrast to the known principle for manufacture of three-threaded, knotlessly braided nets, in which the flyer wheels of the braiding heads are provided with recesses arranged at 120° angles, the method according to this invention distinguishes itself by reducing the steps for manufacture of the connection point from three 120° revolutions to two 90° revolutions of the flyer wheels. In addition, the method proposed by the present invention results in more advantageous physical-textile qualities. 
     FIG. 4(A) illustrates the braiding head 10 which comprises squarely arranged flyer wheels 11, 12, 13 and 14. Each flyer wheel has three recesses 15 arranged at 120° angles, over which the receiving and the transporting of bobbins 1 to 4 is accomplished. Bobbins 1 and 2 revolve in the figure 8-shaped path formed by flyer wheels 11 and 13, while bobbins 3 and 4 revolve in the path formed by flyer wheels 12 and 14. By the diagonal crossing of the threads revolving with the bobbins, the so-called square cord is produced. The direction of revolution of flyer wheels 11 to 14 is marked by arrows. 
     FIGS. 4(B)-(G) represent the steps, i.e. 120° revolutions of the flyer wheels for manufacture of the net shank. After six steps, a braid is produced in the net shank and the bobbins have reassumed their initial position. 
     In contrast to the known quadruple flyer wheel principle, the proposed principle distinguishes itself by the fact that the smaller number of recesses per flyer wheel results in longer traverses and thereby in increased operating velocities. 
     FIG. 5 represents a braiding unit that comprises two braiding heads 10 and 20. The braiding heads are arranged adjacent one another in such a way that, in each case, two flyer wheels 13, 14 and 23, 24 contact adjoining braiding heads. 
     FIGS. 5(B)-(G) represent the manufacture, step-by-step, of two adjoining net shanks through six 120° revolutions of the flyer wheels. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the manufacture of the connection point of two adjoining net shanks. The starting position of the bobbins in FIG. 6(A) corresponds to the starting position of the bobbins in the upper portion of FIG. 5(A). The transfer of the bobbins from one braiding head to the adjoining braiding head occurs in the figure 8-shaped paths formed by the flyer wheels. From the step-by-step representation in FIGS. 6(B) to 6(F), it can be seen that manufacture of the connection point is completed after five steps and that the sixth step already represents the first step toward the subsequent manufacture of the net shanks. 
     The advantage of producing the connection point according to the principle proposed in this invention is that the number of steps for the manufacture of the connection point is reduced from eight to five, as opposed to the known quadruple flyer wheel principle. 
     FIG. 7(A) illustrates a braiding head 20 for the manufacture of a six-threaded net shank. The braiding head 20 comprises four ilyer wheels 21 to 24, each provided with four recesses 25 at 90° angles for receiving and transporting bobbins 1 to 6. According to the method proposed by this invention, a pair of bobbins 1, 4 revolve in the figure 8-shaped path formed by the two flyer wheels 22, 23, while two pairs of bobbins 2, 5 and 3, 6 revolve in the figure 8-shaped path formed by the flyer wheels 21, 24 that crosses the first-mentioned path in a diagonal direction. The direction of revolution of the flyer wheels is marked by arrows. FIGS. 4(B)-(I) illustrate the manufacture, step-by-step, of the net shank through 90° revolutions of the flyer wheels 21 to 24. After eight steps, the bobbins 1 to 6 have reassumed their initial position to begin manufacture of a new braid in the net shank. 
     FIG. 8(A) illustrates a braiding unit formed of the two braiding heads 20 and 30. Braiding head 20 comprises the flyer wheels 21 to 24, and braiding head 30 comprises the flyer wheels 31 to 34. The braiding heads are arranged adjacent one another in such a way that, in each case, two flyer wheels 23, 24 and 31, 32 adjoin each other. FIGS. 8(B)-(I) illustrate the manufacture, step by step, of the two net shanks through eight 90° turns of the flyer wheels. 
     FIG. 9 represents the manufacture of the connection point between two adjoining net shanks. For manufacture of the connection point, it will be feasible to start with the position of the bobbins corresponding to the initial position for manufacture of the net shanks. The bobbins 1 to 6 and 7 to 12 switch over to figure 8-shaped paths that run in a diagonal direction between the braiding heads 20, 30. From the step-by-step representation of the manufacture of the connection point according to FIGS. 9(B) to 9(I), it can be seen that manufacture of the connection point is already completed after six 90° turns of the flyer wheels (FIG. 9(G)), the two subsequent 90° turns of the flyer wheels illustrated in FIGS. 9(H) and 9(I) already representing the first steps toward manufacture of the new mesh shank. 
     FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate the manufacture of a six-threaded, knotlessly braided net. FIG. 10(A) illustrates the braiding head 20 for manufacture of the six-threaded net shank. Braiding head 20, in turn, comprises four flyer wheels 21 to 24, each provided with three recesses 25 arranged at angles of 120° for bobbins 1 to 6. The path of bobbins 1 to 6 corresponds to the bobbin path according to FIG. 7, in which bobbins 1, 4 revolve in the figure 8-shaped path formed by the flyer wheels 21, 24 and the two pairs of bobbins 2, 5 and 3, 6 revolve in the figure 8-shaped path formed by the flyer wheels 22, 23, diagonally crossing the first path. The direction of revolution of the flyer wheels is marked by arrows. FIG. 10(B) to (G) illustrates the manufacture, step-by-step, of the net shank through 120° turns of the flyer wheels. A braid in the net shank is completed after six steps, i.e. six 120° turns of the flyer wheels. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the manufacture of two adjoining, six-threaded net shanks on braiding heads 20 and 30. The remaining steps to be taken are those enumerated for FIG. 8. The only difference is that manufacture of the net shanks is completed after six steps, corresponding to the 120° separation of the flyer wheels. 
     Finally, FIG. 12 again illustrates manufacture of the connection point between two adjoining net shanks. Here the initial position of bobbins 1 to 6 and 7 to 12 will be the same as that at the beginning of manufacture of the net shanks. The switching of the bobbins between the braiding heads 20, 30 occurs in diagonal figure 8-shaped paths. The step-by-step manufacture of the connection points (FIGS. 12(B) to 12(G)) illustrates that the bobbins have switched positions after five 120° turns of the flyer wheels and that the connection point has been produced. 
     A comparison of the two manufacturing methods illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 and FIGS. 10 to 12 for six-threaded, knotlessly braided nets illustrates that both net shanks have the same construction, expenditures in setup for manufacturing the connection point in the method according to FIG. 9, being, however, less than of the method according to FIG. 12, i.e. six 90° turns, as compared to five 120° turns. 
     FIG. 13(A) illustrates a unit comprising two braiding heads 10 and 20 for the manufacture of two eight-threaded net shanks. Braiding head 10 is provided with the bobbin pairs 1&#39;, 2&#39; to 7&#39;, 8&#39;. 
     Each braiding head comprises four squarely arranged flyer wheels 11, 12, 13, 14 (braiding head 10) and 21, 22, 23, 24 (braiding head 20) (quadruple flyer wheel principle). The diagonally opposite flyer wheels (11, 13 and 12, 14 of the braiding head 10 as well as 21, 23 and 22, 24 of braiding head 20) form the figure 8-shaped paths in which the bobbin pairs revolve on braiding. The paths cross diagonally in each braiding head. Each flyer wheel is provided with four recesses 15 or 25 at right angles for receiving and transporting the bobbins. 
     The arrows illustrate the direction of revolution of the flyer wheels. Step-by-step manufacture (90° turns of the flyer wheels) of the figure 8-shaped net shanks is illustrated in the partial FIGS. 13(B) to 13(I). The individual partial figures illustrate the positions of the bobbins on both braiding heads 10 and 20 after one individual 90° turn of the flyer wheels. After eight steps (FIG. 13(I)) the bobbin pairs have again reached the initial position represented in FIG. 13(A), a braid in the net shank having been produced. 
     The initial position of the bobbin pairs for the manufacture of the net shanks also corresponds to the initial position of the bobbins for manufacture of the connection point between two eight-threaded net shanks (FIG. 14). FIG. 14(A) corresponds to FIG. 13(A). 
     According to the solution proposed by this invention, the switching of the pair of bobbins occurs in such a way that each pair of bobbins crosses to the adjoining braiding head over the corresponding flyer wheel, for instance 
     the pairs of bobbins 1, 2 and 3, 4 cross over flyer wheel 21 and 
     the pairs of bobbins 5, 6 and 7, 8 cross over flyer wheel 24 
     the pairs of bobbins 1&#39;,2&#39; and 3&#39;,4&#39; cross over flyer wheel 13 and 
     the pairs of bobbins 5&#39;,6&#39; and 7&#39;,8&#39; cross over flyer wheel 12. 
     After each pair of bobbins has crossed to the adjoining braiding head over the corresponding flyer wheel, the braiding process is continued with the braiding head paths diagonally crossing each other. 
     After eight steps, manufacture of the connection point is completed (FIG. 14(I)), the pairs of bobbins having assumed the initial position illustrated in FIG. 14(A).