Patent GB-190625856-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Chenille.
Inventor: ZIMMERMANN WILHELM PAUL
Filed: 1906-11-15
Granted: 1907-05-16
Abstract: 25,856. Zimmermann, W. P. Nov. 15. Chenille.-Relates to a machine for producing fabrics adapted to be cut into chenille strips, the said fabrics consisting of threads bent into lengths, which are laid parallel side by side and are sewn together by one or more rows of chain-stitching, as shown in Fig. 11. A driven vertical shaft is provided at its upper end with a plate f, Figs. 5 and 6, on which are mounted any desired number of grippers s. For each gripper, a pair of vertical parallel plates p, p' are mounted on shafts, and are provided with radial pins q on their peripheries. During the rotation of the plate f, each gripper seizes a thread stretched between the points 35, 58, draws it into a loop between two pins on the plate p, and arranges the loop on a pin on the plate p<1>. While each gripper is being moved to the next pair of plates p, p<1>, these are rotated through the distance separating two pins by ratchet mechanism, which is operated by inclines on the plate f acting on spring-pressed sliding rods connected to pawl levers. The next gripper then places a loop of the thread on the next pin on the plate p<1>. Each gripper s consists of a hooked plate pivotally mounted in a slot in the outer end of a sliding tube r, which has an attached plate 4. Springs z, Fig. 6, are attached to .the plate and tend to hold it against the bearing 1 of the tube r. When the gripper has engaged a loop of thread, a projection on the tube r is acted upon by a fixed incline x-y, so that the gripper is moved away from the plate p<1> until the projection passes the end y of the incline. The springs z then move the tube r and the gripper outwards, so that the loop of the thread is placed on a pin on the plate p<1>. A sliding rod t, which is mounted within the tube r and is pivotally connected to the gripper s, is normally prevented from being pressed outwards under the action of a spring by a forked lever v, which is pivoted to the inner end of the rod t, and is held by a spring in line with the rod t and with its outer end bearing against the plate 4. When the loop of thread has been laid on a pin on the plate p<1>, the lever v strikes a fixed stop and is turned in the direction of the arrow, so that the rod t is free to be moved outwards to rock the gripper on its pivot 3 and release the loop of thread. A movable safety - bolt holds the loops of thread on the plate p, and a strap 59 prevents the loops from leaving the plates p, p<1> as these rotate. The lengths of thread extending between the pins on the plates p, p<1> are united by chain-stitching by means of known sewing-mechanism comprising needles 30 which pass the stitching-threads between the chenille threads, and grippers 32 which seize the stitching- threads. The needles 30 and the grippers 32 may be adjusted at any desired distance apart in their holders 29, 31, and they are operated by suitable link-work from a sliding collar, which is raised and lowered on a vertical bearing by crank mechanism The chenille thread may be printed in accordance with any desired pattern ; or several threads of different colours may be employed, being brought into position to be engaged by the gripper, as desired, by means of jacquard mechanism. The threads 33 pass through eyes 34 and through eyes in the ends of spring-pressed bell-crank levers 3.6, and their free ends are held by thread-holders 37, which are surrounded by springs 38. These springs tend to rotate the holders to put tension on the threads. The shorter arm of each lever 36 is connected by a cord to a separate tube on a fixed vertical bolt. The tubes are arranged co-axially and are free to slide one upon another, being pressed upwards by springs. An horizontal rod passes through slots in the tubes.and is moved up and down by crank-action, so as to raise and lower the tubes slightly. Each tube has a pin on its upper end, and pattern cards are fed under an horizontal plate and above the pins while the tubes are lowered. When the tubes rise, one pin passes through a hole in the pattern card and its tube is pressed upwards by its spring, so that the corresponding lever 36 is drawn into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, and the gripper s engages its thread, which extends between the points 35,58. The thread is cut by a knife-edge 61 on the strap 59 when the colour is changed, and the ends of the threads are caused to be engaged by the threadholders 37 by hand.