Abstract:
An arrangement for a carding machine for parallel arrangement of fibers, includes a carding track; a plurality of flat bars arranged for being guided along the carding track; clothing positioned respectively on each flat bar, the clothing including clothing structure that engages in the fibers; and a mechanism for releaseably fastening the clothing to each flat bar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Priority is claimed with respect to Application No. 100 07 268.2-26 filed in Germany on Feb. 17, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to a carding machine for the parallel arrangement of fibers by clothing guided along a carding track and having combing structures that engage in the fibers.  
           [0003]    A carding machine of this type is used for the parallel alignment of fibers, in particular cotton fibers. The fibers are transported in bundles to a main carding cylinder in the shape of a cylindrical roller which is horizontally positioned. The fiber bundles are aligned in the circumferential direction of the main carding cylinder while positioned on the surface of the carding cylinder along the longitudinal length thereof.  
           [0004]    Specifically, the fibers are transported in the circumferential direction on the main carding cylinder and engage in clothing fitted onto a carding track and guided over a cylinder arrangement. The clothing consists of individual flexible material strips with combing structures in the form of metal needles on the top.  
           [0005]    The clothing extends in the longitudinal direction of the main carding cylinder, directly above its surface, so that the fibers are combed with these combing structures and are aligned in the circumferential direction of the main carding cylinder.  
           [0006]    The clothing is fastened to respective flat bars guided along the carding track on the carding machine, wherein the dimensions of the flat bars are adapted to the dimensions of the clothing.  
           [0007]    With known carding machines, the clothing rests on top of the flat bars. The flat bars are wider at the upper end and have a rectangular cross-sectional profile, wherein the clothing rests on the complete upper front of the profile. Parts made of sheet metal or the like are attached to the side walls of the flat bars for reinforcement. These parts project slightly over the upper edge of the profile with the clothing, as well as over the lower edge of the profile. The projecting ends of the sheet metal parts are bent through beading, so that they fit against the top and bottom side of the profiles and thus secure the respective clothing on a profile.  
           [0008]    The individual clothing is subject to relatively high wear and thus must be exchanged within a predetermined time interval. The clothing is removed for replacement from the carding machine, along with the fixedly attached flat bars. Subsequently, the clothing assembly is mechanically treated in a machine shop or servicing station in order to separate the clothing secured with the beading on the flat bars from these flat bars. New clothing is then attached to the flat bars and secured in place through beading of the sheet metal parts affixed to the side.  
           [0009]    The disadvantage of this type of arrangement is that the assembly for replacing the clothing is extremely involved. Particularly disadvantageous is the fact that changing the clothing requires corresponding mechanical tools, so that the replacement cannot be made at the location of the carding machine, but must be made in a machine shop or servicing station. Thus, the replacement of clothing not only requires considerable time for the assembly, but also results in a considerable expenditure due to transport time and transport costs.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    It is an object of this invention to provide a carding machine of the aforementioned type in such a way that the replacement of clothing is made as simple as possible.  
           [0011]    The above and other objects are accomplished according to the invention by the provision of an arrangement for a carding machine for parallel arrangement of fibers, including: a carding track; a plurality of flat bars arranged for being guided along the carding track; clothing positioned respectively on each flat bar, the clothing including clothing structure that engages in the fibers; and means for releaseably fastening the clothing to each flat bar.  
           [0012]    The essential advantage of fastening the clothing in this way to the flat bars is that the clothing can be fastened and repeatedly released by using simple tools. The clothing can therefore be replaced easily and quickly at the location of the carding machine. It is particularly advantageous in this case that the fastening mechanism can be attached to the flat bars, and can be are reversibly detached or released so that the mechanism can be reused after the clothing has been replaced.  
           [0013]    The clothing of one particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is attached to a rigid base support, for example a sheet metal part.  
           [0014]    The sheet metal part with attached clothing forms a stable structural unit that can be mounted flexibly and easily to a flat bar. In particular the flexible clothing is protected in that case against mechanical damage or being pulled out of shape. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the dimensionally stable structural unit, consisting of base support and clothing, can be positioned easily and safely on the flat bar, thus making it easier to attach to the flat bar.  
           [0015]    According to one preferred embodiment, brackets are used as means for securing the clothing to a flat bar. In that case, the clothing with base support is positioned on the top front of the flat bar. The brackets are then fitted from the side onto the flat bar and the clothing that rests on top.  
           [0016]    The fastening means for another advantageous embodiment are guides in the flat bars, into which the clothing secured on the base support can be inserted. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The invention is explained in the following with the aid of the accompanying drawings.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an end view of a carding machine for the parallel arrangement of fibers.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is an enlarged, detailed view of a portion of the carding machine according to FIG. 1, showing clothing attached to flat bars and engaged in fibers.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are schematic end views which show first and second exemplary embodiments, respectively, of a base support for the clothing.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic end view of a first exemplary embodiment of the fastening mechanism for fastening clothing to a flat bar.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a schematic end view of a second exemplary embodiment of the fastening mechanism for fastening clothing to a flat bar. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a carding machine  1  for the parallel alignment of fibers  2 , in particular cotton fibers.  
         [0024]    The carding machine  1  comprises a main carding cylinder  3  in the shape of a cylindrical roller, for which the longitudinal axis is positioned horizontally. The main carding cylinder  3  is positioned so as to rotate around a rotational axis that extends in the longitudinal direction and is made to rotate by means of non-depicted drives.  
         [0025]    A carding track  4  that is driven by a system of rollers  5  adjoins the top of the surface of main carding cylinder  3 . The rollers  5  are arranged such that the carding track  4  is guided at a short distance from the surface, via an angular section of nearly 180°, wherein the carding track extends in the circumferential direction of the main carding cylinder  3 .  
         [0026]    The fibers  2  are fed to the main carding cylinder  3  with the aid of an insertion device with insertion fitting or shoe  6 . The fibers  2  are guided as fiber bundles in the circumferential direction, while resting on the surface and in the longitudinal direction of the main carding cylinder  3 .  
         [0027]    The sectional detail of carding machine  1 , shown in FIG. 2, shows that the fibers  2  are guided between the surface of the main carding cylinder  3  and the clothing  8  that is positioned on the fronts of flat bars  7 . The flat bars  7  are positioned on the carding machine.  
         [0028]    The flat bars  7  are arranged as traveling flat assemblies on the carding track  4 , one after another and at a short distance to each other. The longitudinal axes of flat bars  7  extend in the longitudinal direction of the main carding cylinder  3 .  
         [0029]    The dimensions for clothing  8  are approximately the same as for the flat bars  7 , and the clothing is composed of strip-type, elongated, web-like material layers  9  with comb structures  10  projecting from the top. The comb structures  10  are metal needle combs, which extend across nearly the complete surface of clothing  8 .  
         [0030]    The comb structures  10  engage in the fibers  2  that are guided on the main carding cylinder  3 . As a result, the fibers are combed in the circumferential direction of the main carding cylinder  3  and are thus aligned parallel.  
         [0031]    According to the invention, fastening means are provided for securing the clothing  8  to the flat bars  7 , which means are reversibly detachable. Thus, these means can preferably be fastened and released repeatedly from the flat bars with the aid of simple tools.  
         [0032]    For this, the clothing  8  is not mounted directly on the flat bars  7 . Rather, the clothing  8  is secured on base supports  11 . A base support  11  with clothing  8  respectively forms a dimensionally stable structural unit, which can be positioned easily and precisely on a flat bar  7 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  show different embodiments for a base support  11  of this type, preferably consisting of sheet metal parts or thin metal profiles. In any case, the base support  11  is dimensionally stable and rigid, so that it can provide the flexible clothing  8  positioned thereon with a secure hold.  
         [0034]    The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a  shows a base support  11 , for which the surface area is identical to the surface area of clothing  8 . The base support  11  in this case has a level surface upon which the clothing  8  rests.  
         [0035]    The base support  11  shown in FIG. 3 b  has a level surface, analog to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 a,  on which the clothing  8  rests. In addition, the base support  11  is provided along its two longitudinal edges with edge strips  12 , which project from the top and secure the clothing  8  on the side. The height for edge strip  12  in this case is adjusted to the structural height of clothing  8 . The edge strips  12  preferably form one piece with the base body  11   a  of base support  11 .  
         [0036]    The clothing  8  is secured to the base support  11 , wherein the clothing  8  is preferably screwed on or glued to the base support.  
         [0037]    The structural unit thus formed by securing the clothing  8  to the base support  11  is then releaseably fastened to the respective flat bar  7 .  
         [0038]    In principal, the base support  11  can be attached to the flat bar  7  by screwing or gluing it to the top of the flat bar.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 shows fastening means for securing the clothing  8  with base support  11  to a flat bar  7 , thus making the assembly particularly easy, time-saving and cost-effective.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 4 shows that the flat bar  7  is provided at its upper end with a widening  7   a  in the form of a rectangular cross-sectional profile, which is followed by the narrow back end  7   b  of the flat bar  7 .  
         [0041]    As a result, the flat bar  7  has two offsets  7 ′ a  and  7 ′ b  at the lower end of the profile, which are joined by two vertically extending side walls  7 ′ c  and  7 ′ d  and the level top  7 ′ e  of the flat bar  7 .  
         [0042]    For the assembly, the clothing  8  together with its base support  11  is placed on the top  7 ′ e  of flat bar  7 , wherein the side walls  11   b  and  11   c  of base support  11  end flush with the side walls  7 ′ c  and  7 ′ d  of the profile for the flat bar  7 .  
         [0043]    Brackets  13  that serve as means for fastening the flat bar  7  are snapped from the side onto the profiles. The brackets  13  consist of sheet metal parts or the like and have level support surfaces  13   a,  which fit flush against the side walls  7 ′ c  and  7 ′ d  of the profile for flat bar  7  and the base support  11  resting thereon. A projection  14  projects from the supporting surface on the top and bottom side of each bracket  13 . The projection  14  on the top of bracket  13  rests against the top of base support  11 , or the top of projection  12  thereof, while the projection  14  on the underside of bracket  13  fits against the profile offset  7 ′ a,    7 ′ b  of flat bar  7 . Thus, the brackets  13  secure the clothing  8  with base support  11  against being detached from the flat bar  7 . The brackets  13  can preferably be snapped without tools onto the base support  11  and the flat bar  7  and can also be released from these, without the brackets  13  being destroyed in the process.  
         [0044]    The brackets  13  of one preferred embodiment are designed as rail-type elements, wherein each bracket  13  extends over the total length of flat bar  7 .  
         [0045]    Alternatively, several individual brackets  13  can be arranged one after the other along the flat bar  7 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the means for securing the base support  11  with clothing  8  on the flat bar  7 . In this case, the fastening means consist of a guide in the flat bar  7 , wherein the guide preferably is designed as dovetail guide defining a groove  16 . The dovetail guide extends in the longitudinal direction of the flat bar  7 . The dovetail guide forms one piece together with the flat bar  7  and consists of two guide rails  15 , which respectively stop at a longitudinal edge on the top of flat bar  7 .  
         [0047]    The heights of these guide rails  15  are adapted to the structural height of the base support  11  with clothing  8  positioned thereon.  
         [0048]    In addition, the spacing between the guide rails  15  is adapted to the width of the base support  11  with clothing  8  positioned thereon, so that the base support  11  with clothing  8  fits tightly against the insides of the guide rails  15 .  
         [0049]    The base support  11  with clothing  8  is inserted from the front or back end of flat bar  7  into the guide opening until the base support  11  with its total length rests on the top of flat bar  7 .  
         [0050]    In order to secure the base support  11  on the flat bar  7 , threaded bores that are not depicted here can be provided in the side walls of guide rails  15  and the base support  11 . Screws for fastening the base support  11  to the guide rails  15  are inserted into these threaded bores.  
         [0051]    Alternatively or in addition, the base support  11  with clothing  8  that is positioned in the guides, can be secured by closing off the end parts of the guides at the front and back end with a fastener that is not shown here. It is necessary in that case that the length of base support  11  matches exactly the length of flat bar  7 , so that the base support  11  fits tightly against the front and back end between the fasteners.  
         [0052]    The fasteners can be plates, for example, onto which the front and back sides of the flat bar  7  are screwed. End caps or the like can also be provided alternatively as fasteners, which are attached to the flat bar  7  by snapping them in.  
         [0053]    In a modification of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, the guides and the base body for flat bar  7  can also have a multi-part design.  
         [0054]    For example, the base body for flat bar  7  can have a level top, on which the base support  11  with clothing  8  rests. The base support  11  again extends over the complete length of flat bar  7 . However, the top of flat bar  7  is wider than the width of the base support  11 . The edge strips that project over the clothing  8  contain bores for fastening.  
         [0055]    Guide rails  15  are fitted onto these edge strips in order to secure the base support  11 . Screws extending through the fastening bores are used to secure the guide rails to the base body of flat bar  7 .  
         [0056]    The invention has been described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments, and it will now be apparent from the foregoing to those skilled in the art, that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and the invention, therefore, as defined in the appended claims, is intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit of the invention.