Patent GB-854316-A (GB)
Title: An apparatus for automatically mounting and dismounting a bobbin for a spinning machine, a twister or the like
Filed: 1957-06-14
Abstract: 854,316. Donning and doffing apparatus. KANEGAFUCHI BOSEKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA. June 14, 1957 [June 16, 1956], No. 18856/57. Class 120(3). Apparatus for donning and doffing bobbins in a spinning &c. machine which runs along the machine on rails includes the following: (a) doffing-means comprising a pair of grips 40, Fig. 9, adapted to be swung vertically to engage and lift the head of a wound bobbin and means to release the bobbin and discharge it into a box 53 not shown; (b) donning-means comprising a hopper 20, Fig. 2 for empty bobbins containing an endless conveyer to deliver empty bobbins into a guide chamber 25, and supports in the latter for locating the bobbins one at a time in an inclined position from which they are engaged by empty spindles as the apparatus advances; (c) stop and return means for automatically controlling the travel of the apparatus and (d) an electric 'driving-motor 2, Fig. 2 having a coiled cable 86 arranged automatically to unwind and wind itself as the apparatus advances and returns. The whole apparatus is carried by a frame 1, Fig. 2 running by means of a wheel 3 and idlers such as 5, on rails 11, 12 secured to the spinning-machine. The wheel 3 is driven from the motor through a reversing-clutch: the motor also drives the endless conveyer in the hopper 20 and the doffing- means through a one-way drive so that these are not driven on the return journey of the apparatus.' The conveyer belt takes empty bobbins of tapered construction arranged on the hopper with their wider ends pointing the same way, and arranges them one behind the other in the guide chamber 25. This is shaped at 28 to avoid the spindles as it travels along the machine, but to allow the bobbins as they descend in turn to engage and settle on the empty spindles. The doffing-means is operated by a reciprocating arm 47, Fig. 9, secured to one of two parallel arms 44, 45 so as to raise and lower a Y-piece 38 carrying members 40 rubber-lined and spring-urged upwardly to engage successive filled bobbins. As the arms lift the members 40 are opened by the engagement of a member 48 with a notch 49: at the same time a part on the arm 47 depresses a lever 59 to engage a member 60 to release the bobbin; a spring 51 is then turned to cause a member 50 to force the bobbin downwardly into a guide 52 leading to a receiver, the thread being severed by a slot in the guide and wound on an adjacent roller. At the end of a cycle the apparatus is at one end of the spindle-row and the reversing clutch has been moved to a neutral position by the contact of a lever (64, Fig. 12, not shown) with a stop on the machine. The handle 62 is now operated to move the chamber 25 to a position where it will not foul the spindles on the return journey of the apparatus: this operation allows the clutch to be moved to a position which causes the apparatus to return to the other end of the spindle-row where contact between the lever 64 and a second stop restores the clutch to neutral. When the handle 62 is operated to restore the chamber 25 to normal position, the clutch is moved to a position for the apparatus to be driven forwardly and the conveyer and doffing- means are re-started through the one-way drive. Doffing and donning takes place as already described until the apparatus reaches the opposite end of the spindle-row where contact between the lever 64 and the appropriate stop again puts the clutch to neutral. Means carried by the guide chamber are provided to displace the threads and the lappets out of the path of the rest of the apparatus during its forward journey. During the travel of the apparatus, the motor-cable is unwound from and wound on a spool 87, Fig. 14 which is loosely mounted on a shaft 99 driven by a bush 92, the spool and shaft being frictioncoupled by a spring 94 and a friction disc 95. The cable is connected to rings 88 loose on the shaft and touched by brushes 89, Fig. 2 to make circuit with the motor.