Patent GB-512402-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in looms having automatic weft replenishment
IPC: D03D45/20
Filed: 1939-02-27
Abstract: 512,402. Looms with automatic weft replenishment. TRIGGS, W. W. (Crompton & Knowles Loom Works). Feb. 27, 1939, No. 6387. [Class 142 (iii)] A cam 82, Figs. 4 and 8, moved in timed relation with the mechanism for operating the drop boxes at one side of the loom, has two tracks 100, 101 each with high areas 104, 105 and low areas 102, 107 for operating a cam finger 80, which is switched from one cam track 100 to the other 101 when the direction of motion of the cam is reversed. The finger controls the shuttle changer selector mechanism which determines from which of two magazine compartments at the other side of the loom a shuttle is released when weft replenishment occurs. The invention is described in connection with drop boxes controlled by levers 26, 27 operated by vibrator gears, the boxes comprising four cells 18 to 21. The upper two 18, 19 accommodate frequently used shuttles whilst the lower two accommodate shuttles carrying infrequently used decorative weft &c. A single weft feeler is used, and when either of the shuttles in the two upper boxes is spent, it is automatically replaced by a corresponding shuttle whilst the loom is stopped if an infrequently used shuttle is spent and it is replaced by hand as described in Specifications 466,787 and 466,844. The lever 26 is connected to the cam 82 and the lever 27 is connected to a cam 83 similar to the cam 82 but with the high areas higher than those of the cam 82. Whilst the two upper cells are in action, the lever 27 remains at rest and the lever 26 only is moved. The cam 83 controls a finger 81. The fingers 80, 81 swivel on levers 76, 77, which are pivoted on a pin 75 and operate lifting screws 73, 74 on a lever 71 connected by parts 70, 65, 53 and 54 to a selector slide 55. When the two upper cells of the drop boxes are active, the lever 27 and cam 83 remain in the position shown in Fig. 4 with the cam finger 81 in contact with a low part 125 of the cam 83, the change from one of the upper cells to the other being effected by a movement of the lever 26 and cam 82. Thus, if this moves upward, the cam finger 80 is moved quickly up an incline 103 from a low and short dwell area 102 to a high area 104, the lever 76 is rocked and the selector slide 55 is moved correspondingly, one or the other of two selector elements 59, 60 being moved into register with a trip 61 controlling replenishment. This is elevated by a solenoid under the control oi electric feeler mechanism and then rocks one of the elements 59, 60 which moves a lifter dog 63 on a rocking lever into position to operate a lever 57 whereby the shuttle changing mechanism is effected, the lever 53 positioning one or the other of two magazine actuating hooks 64, 66 with respect to a pin on the lever 57. The selector is operated quickly during the shifting of the boxes and preferably completes its movement during the first third of the time occupied by the box shift thus allowing ample time for the shuttle changing mechanism. As the box shift nears completion, the shoe' 111 of the finger 80 is cammed by a surface 112 to the left swinging aside a lower spring controlled switch 108 and passes into the cam track 101. When the cam 82 moves down, the finger 80 is operated again by the track 101 and the selector devices are moved into new positions, the shoe 111 finally displacing another switch 108 and re-entering the cam track 100. When the boxes are moved to bring one of the two lower cells into operation, the cam 83 is moved upwardly and the cam finger 83 actuated, a movement being thereby given to the lever 71 which is much greater than that given by the cam 82. Consequently, the elements 5,9, 60 are both moved out of register with the trip 61 and shuttle changing cannot occur.