Patent GB-1250125-A (GB)
IPC: D06H3/04
Filed: 1970-05-08
Abstract: 1,250,125. Inspecting fabrics. KNITTING SPECIALTY MACHINERY CORP. 8 May, 1970 [5 June, 1969], No. 22403/70. Heading D1S. A machine for inspecting at least one side of a fabric web W comprises a fabric supply roll S, a fabric take-up roll T, drive means for rotating both rolls S, T, a station 27 or 28 for visually inspecting the fabric W including means 29 or 30 for casting light onto the fabric, threading means 55, 60, 61 operated by the drive means for guiding the fabric W from the roll S through the station 27 or 28 to a position adjacent the roll T where the fabric is transferred to the roll T, and means for automatically returning the means 55, 60, 61 to its starting position adjacent the roll S.  In one embodiment, Figs. 2 and 3, the roll S is supported on a cradle 24 of arcuately arranged idler rollers and is driven by a roll 25. The roll T, driven by a roll 26, is mounted on a shaft 34 having its ends slidable in channels 34. Two endless chains 55, driven by pulleys 56 on a shaft 57, pass around pulleys 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44 mounted one at each end of shafts 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54 each carrying a fabric guide roller 58 and pulleys 38, 42 mounted on each end of shafts 31, 32 of the rolls 25, 26. A flight bar 60, carrying crocodile clips 61 to hold the leading end of the fabric W and pull it through the machine, is connected between the chains 55. The path of the fabric through the machine is such that one side thereof is viewed at the station 27 and the other side at the station 28. Lamps 29, 30 each comprise a reflector 80, of a length equal to the fabric width, a fluorescent illuminating tube 81 and a transparent cover 82.  Initially, with the roll S resting on the cradle 24, the bar 60 is at the position of Fig. 2 and the leading end of the fabric is attached to the clips 61. A push button is depressed momentarily and a drive motor (64), Fig. 5 (not shown), and an electric clutch (76), Figs. 4 and 11 (both not shown), are energized to cause the motor to drive the shaft 32 and the shaft 57 to drive the chains 55 thereby moving the bar 60 with its attached fabric. In moving away from the cradle 24, the bar' 60 allows a switch 85 to close to maintain the clutch (76) and the motor (64) energized. If the fabric is tubular and it is desired to insert a spreader bar (not shown) therein, immediately prior to re-winding, the bar 60 trips a switch 62 to stop the machine. After insertion of the spreader bar, the push button is depressed to re-start the machine. A bypass selector switch is provided in parallel with the switch 62 so that the bar 60 may selectively pass the switch 62, if a spreader bar is not used, until it opens a switch 84 which de-energizes the motor (64) and the clutch (76). The operator disengages the fabric W from the clips 61 and passes it around a tube 63 which is then mounted on the shaft 34. A foot switch is closed to operate the motor (64) to feed the fabric past the stations 27, 28 and the bar 60 is returned to its initial position at which it opens the switch 85 to de-energize the clutch (76) but not the motor (64). An electrical circuit for the operation is described, Fig. 12 (not shown). In a second embodiment, Fig. 13, for inspecting one side only of a single layer fabric, the supply roll S is mounted on a shaft 103 slidable in end channels 105 and is driven by a roll 106. The take-up roll is similarly mounted in channels 110 and driven by a roll 111. The fabric is threaded through the machine by a chain arrangement 113 and a bar 60. Two lamps 121 are provided.