Improvements in Thread Spooling Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 15th Aug., 1900-Acoepted, 15th Nov., 1903
Improvements in Thread Spooling Machines.
I, JAMES BOOTH, of 7, Blythswood Drive, Paisley, County of Renfrew,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to thread spooling machines and is an improvement
upon and development of the thread spooling machine described in the Specifica-
tion of John Booth No. 10729 of 1885. The present invention comprises im-
proved mechanism for traversing the thread guides and for instantaneously
reversing their traverse each time the guides reach the ends of the spools and
also for automatically lifting them to allow for the increasing diameter of
the spooled thread ou the spools. It also comprises other features of novelty.
In carrying out my invention I connect, by means of suitable gearing, with
the spindle shaft a shaft having a clutch working in a sleeve and clutch wheels
thereon. The sleeve is so arranged in connection with a rocking lever that when
the guide reaches the end of its traverse it is moved. The rocking lever which
may be of a T shape and fitted on a short shaft mounted in centres at each end
has working in conjunction with it two roller levers which are preferably mounted
on the same shaft as the rocking lever and connected together by a torsion
spring. Each roller lever has a roller at its end and each roller bears on an
inclined plane of suitable shape. Two of these inclined planes are provided and
they form the faces of blocks secured to a reciprocating frame. Connected with
the roller levers are two pawls which gear with the teeth of a ratchet wheel in
such manner as to actuate the latter The ratchet wheel shaft has a chain roller
or pinion on it to which a chain (or its equivalent) is attached said chain being
also attached to an adjusting lever which is suitably fulcrumed and is provided
with a longitudinal slot having an adjusting screw therein and a nut working
upon the screw. This nut is connected by means of a link to a sliding rod
having inclined planes upon it which latter bear against rollers fixed to the frame-
work of the machine. On the traversing or guide shaft 1 secure one or more
levers provided with suitable contact pieces which engage with the sliding rod.
I also provide a shaper rod which actuates a regulating apparatus consisting
of a bell crank lever fulerumed upon a shaft upon which is also, preferably,
concentrically mounted two locking levers connected together by means of a
spring or springs. These locking levers are arranged to alternately engage
with the upper end of the rocking lever.
If desired the sliding rod may be actuated from the shaper rod.
The arrangement is such that as the guide approaches the end of the spool the
shaper rod, moved by the shaper fingers, gives a slight movement to the bell
crank lever, thereby unlocking or disengaging one or other of the locking
levers and allows the torsion spring, arranged in conjunction with the focking
lever and roller levers, to kick or suddenly move the sleeve with its clutch
wheels into contact with one end of the clutch and by means of a suitably
connected carrier wheel to reverse the direction of rotation of the guide nut or

page_text: wheel and consequently the direction of traverse of the shaper plate and its
connections. The guide is lifted instantly it reaches each end of the spool by
the action of the ratchet wheel which is instantaneously turned, whon the guide
reaches the end of the spool, by one or other of the pawls connected to the roller
levers. The turning of the ratchet wheel rolls up a portion of the chain thereby
drawing the sliding rod towards the headstock and, at the same time, by the
action of the rollers on the inclined planes of the said sliding rod, moving the
guide shaft through the contact levers and raising or lifting the guide up off the
bobbin the proper distance.
A number of bobbins may be arranged in a row in the machine and the one
sliding rod can be utilized for actuating all the guides for the bobbins simul-
taneously.
The guide-stocks of the machine are of an improved construction. Each
guide-stock consists of a boss or collar secured to the guide stock shaft and
having lugs provided with pivot screws and lock nuts on which swings a guide
holder made to receive the guide bit and also the screw of the adjusting handle.
The guide holder is pivotally secured at its extreme end to the boss and is held in
place by a suitably arranged link and adjusting spring which latter may be a
curved plate spring. The arrangement is such that when the guide holder is
in the horizontal position with the guide bearing against the bobbin it is re-
tained in this position by the action of the spring and link, whilst, when the
guide holder is thrown back, by the attendant, it is held in this position also by
the action of the spring and link. Should the spool be large the spring allows
the guide to lift and compensate for the inequality without interforing with the
other spools being wound or damaging the thread. Should the thread break the
attendant presses back the guide holder by means of the handle so as to give
room to piece-up, and, as before stated, when the guide holder is so pressed
back, it is held in position until the attendant pulls it forward again. Horizontal
adjustment is obtained by moving the pivot screws and vertical adjustment by
turning the handle screw whose lower end bears against a projection on the
boss.
In order to dispense with the thread retaining grooves of the driving spindles
or arbors I may mount on the spindle box a suitable sleeve which is so arranged
as to project nearly to the spool and which possesses a guiding surface for the
purpose of insuring that the spindle shall catch the thread and transfer it to the
next spool to be wound.
In order to prevent any unfastened spools being unwrapped and wasted I
mount a sliding shaft in proximity to the spool runways having a suitable arm
over each run and so arranged as to block the run and arrest the filled spool until
the next spool is wound. I provide on the cam shaft a cam which engages with
a suitable arm on the arrester shaft, and by sliding it backwards, as soon as the
spool is filled, the previously filled spool is allowed to run away into a suitablo
box: the cam thereafter replaces the stop or arrester arm before the newly
filled spool is doffed.
Dated this 14th day of Vavenho 1000

page_text: invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to thread spooling machines and is an improvement
upon and development of the thread spooling machine described in the Specifica-
tion of John Booth No. 10729 of 1885. The present invention comprises im-
proved mechanism for traversing the thread guides and for instantaneously
reversing their traverse each time the guides reach the ends of the spools and
also for automatically lifting them to allow for the increasing diameter of the
spooled throad on the spools. It also comprises other features of novelty.
In order that my said invention may be properly understood I have horeunto
appended three explanatory sheets of drawings, whereon.
Fig. 1 is an olevation and Fig. 2 a plan of the head-stock of a spooling machine
showing the improved mechanisms for traversing and lifting the thread guides.
Fig. 1 (Sheet 3) is an enlarged detail view of the clutch gear b, c, cl
Fig. 3 is a cross section of the head-stock taken on the line X- X of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is an elevation, Fig. 5 a plan and Fig. 6 a cross section showing the
lifting mechanism and thread guide holder.
Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged views of the improved guide stock.
Figs. 9, 9 and 9" are views of the thread transferring device.
On the drawings the same reference letters wherever repeated indicate the
same parts.
"
A is the frame of the machine B is the main or spindle driving shaft C is
The shaper rod and Care the shaper plates D is the rack at the bottom of the
rud and is the weight at its lower end and by which it is re-set during the
changing" operations E is the slotted table or bar with the adjusting blocks
having adjusting fingers F. The adjusting screws are not shown. F is the
ratchet wheel shaft as in the prior patent aforesaid and G the guide shaft. II are
the thread guides. I is a spool.
Only those parts of the mechanism of the spooling machine which are necessary
to the proper comprehension of my invention are shown on the drawings.
In carrying out my invention I connect, by means of suitable gearing, with
the spindle or main driving shaft B a second shaft having a toothed clutch /
secured to it and clutch wheels c, cl, running loose in a sleeve which latter is
moved by the pin of a rocking lover e against the action of springs (see
detail view Fig. 1) whenever the thread guide, in its traverse, reaches the end
of the spool I. The rocking levere may be of a T shape and be fitted on a
short shaft mounted in centres at each end. Working in conjunction with the
rocking lever are two roller levers g, h, preferably mounted on the shaft f and
provided with rollers i ratchet pawla j, j, and springs k, . The springs are
secured at their lower ends to the T shaped bracket of the frame and at their
upper ends are adjustably attached to the roller levers by means of plates,
screws, and nuts as shown. The pawls j, j, which are retained in position by
the springs actuate the ratchet wheel m exactly as the change in the direction
of the traverse of the guides H is effected. In order to actuate the roller levers
I provide a reciprocating plate or frame which is reciprocated from the guide
shaft G which latter is reciprocated by the traverse screw and wheel nut
(running on the screw) of the machine. The reciprocating frame has two
inclined planes upon it formed by the faces of the blocks p, p, of the frame.
These blocks alternately hear against the rollers of the roller levers 9: h.
The ratchet wheel shaft F has a chain roller or pinion 7 (see Fig. 3) on it to
which a chain q' is attached said chain after passing over the guide pulley q³
being also attached or an adjusting lever q' fulcrumed at and provided with
a stud block having an adjusting screw in it and a nut working on the
ECIPW. This nut is connected by means of an adjustable link to a sliding
rod extending nearly the whole length of the spindle rail and having inclined
planes, ¹, on it which planes bear against rollers fixed to the framework of
s

page_text: by
the machine. The inclined planes are retained in contact with the rollers
the action of the weights connected by the cords, running over the pulleys s
to the rod s. On the traversing or guide shaft G I secure one or more levers
provided with bearing blocks or rollers (see Fig. 6) and which are maintained
in contact with the sliding rods by means of the weights whose cords pass
over the pulleys. The levers, although they are free to slide along the rod.
are maintained in contact therewith as aforesaid by the action of the weights
so that the guide shaft can be turned on its axis through the agency of the
levers and thereby lift the thread guides suddenly at each end of their traverse.
The shaper rod C actuates a regulating or unlocking apparatus consisting of
a bell crank lever fulcrumed upon a stud upon which is also, preferably, con-
centrically mounted two locking levers,, connected together by means of a
spring. These locking levers are arranged to alternately engage by their
hooked ends (see Fig. 2) with the peg at the upper end of the rocking lever.
The levers are held in engagement by the spring .
The arrangement is such that as the thread guide approaches the end of the
spool the shaper rod C. moved by the shaper fingers E, gives a slight movement
to the bell erank levert the tail 5 of which presses one or other of the lock-
ing levers, out of engagement (against the action of spring ) with the
peg which peg being part of the rocking lever has been retaining the sleeve d
and clutch wheel in gear with the clutch b. Being disengaged it allows the
spring previously extended by the incline-block p, to kick the sleeve with
its wheels suddenly into geor with the other end of the clutch and by means of
suitably connected carrier wheels fitted on a sleeve running loose on the stud
(see also Fig. 1) to reverse the direction of motion of the guide nut or wheel u
and consequently the direction of traverse of the reciprocating frame ». The
same action takes place when the thread quide reaches the other end of its
traverse but in this case the other spring & comes into action.
The thread guide is lifted instantly it reaches each end of the spool by the
nction of the ratchet wheel which is instantaneously turned, when the guide
reaches the end of the spool, by one or other of the pawls connected to the roller
levers. The turning of the ratchet wheel rolls up a portion of the chain q² there-
by drawing the sliding rods towards the head-stock and, at the same time, by
the action of the rollers on the inclined planes so, s', of the sliding rod, moving
the guide shaft through the contact levers and raising or lifting the guide up
off the bobbin the proper distance.
The rack pinion D on the ratchet wheel shaft F turns with the ratchet wheel
and lifts the rack 1) and shaper rod upwards during the winding. When chang-
ing, the shaper rod is re-set.
A number of bobbins may be arranged in a row in the machine and the one
sliding rods can be utilized for actuating all the thread guides for the bobbins
simultaneously.
As it is sometimes desirable that the last two or more layers of thread shall be
pressed somewhat more than the rest of the winding I provide the sliding rod s
with a suitable stopper so that when the spools are sufficiently filled the stopper
will come into contact with a projection y on one of the brackets carrying the
rollers and hold the rods whilst the continued movement of the chain will
simply overcome the pressure of the spring and separate the two parts of the
lever r, as shown in dotted lines. The guide stocks of the machine are of an
improved construction. Each guide stock consists of a boss or collar 1 secured
to the guide shaft G and having lugs 3 provided with pivot screws 4 and lock nuts 5.
The pivot screws 4 fit into couical or counter-sunk recesses 6 in a guide holder 7
and are the centres around which the guide holder swinga when the guide H is
raised. The guide holder boss is pinched to the shaft by the screw 2. The
guide holder is recessed for the reception of the thread guide H and securely
holds the same by means of a clamping plate 8. The holder is provided with an
adjustable screw handle 9, link 10, curved plate spring 11 and adjusting screw 12.

page_text: The point of the adjusting screw handle 9 engages with a projection 13 on the
boss and is held there with any pressure which may be considered desirable, for
properly laying the thread, by means of the link 10 spring 11 and adjusting
Screw 12.
The arrangement is such that when the guide holder is in the horizontal
position with the guide bearing against the bobbin or spool it is retained in this
position by the action of the spring and link, whilst, when the guide holder is
thrown back, by the attendant, it is held in this position also by the action of
the spring and link. Should the spool happen to be large the spring 11 allows
the guide H to lift and compensate for the inequality without damaging the
thread, or interfering with the other spools being wound.
Should several of the spools be small or should one or more threads break the
sliding rod s prevents any portion of the pressure being distributed over the
other spools.
Should a thread break at any time the attendant can press back the guide
holder by means of the handle so as to give room to piece-up and in order that
this may be accomplished by a single motion of the hand I arrange the spring 11
and link 10 so that, as the guide holder swings about the pivot screws 4 the path
of the link 10 approaches and crosses the centre line of the pivot screws, as
shown at Fig. 8, causing the spring 11 to retain the guide holder in its new
position until it is moved back again by the attendant into its original position.
Horizontal adjustment of the holder is obtained by moving the pivot screws +
and vertical adjustment by turning the handle screw 9. The adjusting screws 4
and handle are rendered self locking by providing the lock nuts 5 with conical
ends fitting in recesses in the holder and lugs.
In order to dispense with the "thread retaining" grooves or spring sleeves, as
heretofore employed, on the driving spindles or arhors of the spools and to
protect the spindle 14 I mount on the spindle box 16 a sleeve 15 which is 50
arranged as to project nearly to the spoof and which possesses a projecting and
curved guiding surface 17 for the purpose of "retaining" the thread and insur-
ing that the spindle shall catch the thread and safely transfer it to the next
spool to be wound. 17 is the thread and 17b the knife hook (see Figs. 9
and 9b).
In order to prevent any unfastened spools being unwrapped and wasted I
mount a sliding shaft 18 in proximity to the spool runways 19 having suitable
bent arms 20 with pins 20 so arranged as to block each run and arrest the newly
filled spool until the next spool is wound. This arrangement allows the
attendant to prevent any wastage from this cause. I provide on the cam shaft 21
a cam 22 which engages with a suitable wiper 23 on the sliding shaft 18 and
by sliding it and the arms 20 backwards, as soon as the spool is filled, the pre-
viously filled spool is allowed to run away by the runway 19 into a suitable
box 24; the cam thereafter replaces the wiper 28, shaft 18 and arms 20 in position
before the newly filled spool is doffed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I consider novel and desire to claim is:-
1
1. In a thread spooling or winding machine the mechanism for reversing
the thread guides when they reach the ends of the spool, substantially as herein-
before described with reference to the drawings annexed.
2. The mechanism for lifting at the proper times the thread guides through a
small are to allow for the increased diameter of the next row of thread, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings annexed.
3. In a thread spooling or winding machine the application and use in com-
bination of the thread guide reversing mechanism and the thread guide lifting
mechanism substantially as herein before described with reference to the draw-
ings annexed.

page_text: 4. The improved construction of guide stock substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the drawings annexed.
5. The thread guiding or retaining sleeve (15) made and arranged substantially
as herein before described with reference to the drawings annexed.
6. The spool arresting mechanism for preventing any unfastened spools being
unwrapped and wasted substantially as herein before described with reference to
the drawings annexed.
7. The combination of mechanism comprising the thread guide reversing
mechanism, the thread guide lifting mechanism, and the guide stock arranged
and working in conjunction therewith substantially as hereinbefore described
and shown on the drawings annexed.
8. The combination of mechanism comprising the thread guide reversing
mechanism, the thread guide lifting mechanism, the guide stock, the spool
arresting mechanism and the thread retaining sleove, all constructed and arranged
substantially as herein before described and shown on the drawings annexed.
Dated this 14th day of August 1900.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
100, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.