US3776480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Yarn handling apparatus
Assignee: LAWSON HEMPHILL INC US
•
Filing: 1972-04-05
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Granted: 1973-12-04
•
Expires: 1992-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A device for temporarily storing yarn for immediate use by a yarn consuming textile apparatus, such as a winder, a knitting machine, or for the filling thread of a shuttleless loom. The device includes a yarn collecting drum on which yarn from a supply source is wound temporarily and then removed under a controlled, uniform tension. The device eliminates the wide variations in yarn tension which occur when a yarn is delivered from a source, such as a cone or a package, and permits the yarn to feed to a textile machine at a substantially constant tension.
Inventors
- 👤 John B Lawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:24
CPC Classifications
D; D03; D03D; D03D47/00; D03D47/34; D03D47/36; D03D47/361; D03D47/367; B; B65; B65H; B65H51/00; B65H51/20; B65H51/22; D01; D01H; D01H7/00; D01H7/02; D01H7/86; D01H7/864; D04; D04B; D04B15/00; D04B15/38; D04B15/48; D04B15/482; D04B15/486; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/30; B65H2701/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
In an automatic yarn tension equalizer having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off in a generally axial direction at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, means for urging the yarn turns axially along the drum toward the yarn draw-off end of the drum and retractable drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for advancing intermittently the drive means relative to the drum to cause the drum and the yarn guide to rotate relative to each other comprising: a. a pneumatic system having 1. a source of compressed air, 2. an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air, 3. a valve for the air chamber and 4. means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum for collecting the valve, said sensing means being operative to 1. permit said valve to open to reduce air pressure in the air chamber when a maximum of yarn turns are on the drum and 2. permit said valve to close to increase air pressure in the air chamber when a minimum of yarn turns are on the drum, and d. retractable lever mechanism connected to the piston and operative to advance and retract the drive means in response to movements of the piston.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
In an automatic yarn tension equalizer having a drum about which yarn is wound helically to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off in a generally axial direction at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum, means for urging the yarn turns axially along the drum toward the yarn draw-off end of the drum and retractable drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for advancing intermittently the drive means relative to the drum to cause the drum and the yarn guide to rotate relative to each other comprising: a. a pneumatic system having 1. a source of compressed air, 2. an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air, 3. a valve for the air chamber and 4. means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum for collecting the valve, said sensing means being operative to 1. permit said valve to open to reduce air pressure in the air chamber when a maximum of yarn turns are on the drum and 2. permit said valve to close to increase air pressure in the air chamber when a minimum of yarn turns are on the drum, and d. retractable lever mechanism connected to the piston and operative to advance and retract the drive means in response to movements of the piston.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
permit said valve to close to increase air pressure in the air chamber when a minimum of yarn turns are on the drum, and d. retractable lever mechanism connected to the piston and operative to advance and retract the drive means in response to movements of the piston.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
permit said valve to close to increase air pressure in the air chamber when a minimum of yarn turns are on the drum, and d. retractable lever mechanism connected to the piston and operative to advance and retract the drive means in response to movements of the piston.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
In an automatic yarn tension equalizer having a drum about which yarn is wound to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for engaging the drive means to cause the drum and yarn guide to rotate relative to each other comprising: a. a pneumatic system having
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
In an automatic yarn tension equalizer having a drum about which yarn is wound to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for engaging the drive means to cause the drum and yarn guide to rotate relative to each other comprising: a. a pneumatic system having
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
an air chamber connecteD to the source of compressed air,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
an air chamber connecteD to the source of compressed air,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
permit said valve to close to increase air pressure in the air chamber when a second selected quantity of yarn turns are on the drum, and d. retractable lever mechanism connected to the piston and operative to engage and disengage the drive means in response to movements of the piston.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
permit said valve to close to increase air pressure in the air chamber when a second selected quantity of yarn turns are on the drum, and d. retractable lever mechanism connected to the piston and operative to engage and disengage the drive means in response to movements of the piston.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
a yarn conduit fixed to and extending from the shaft to a location radially outward of the drum, b. a lock for locking the drum to the support, said lock comprising:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
a yarn conduit fixed to and extending from the shaft to a location radially outward of the drum, b. a lock for locking the drum to the support, said lock comprising:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
locking means disposed on the support and on the drum for engaging the locking means of the disc c. and support means suspending the disc angularly of the shaft in locking relationship with the support and with the drum whereby, as the shaft and yarn conduit rotate, an angular undulating motion is imparted to the disc to provide a rotating opening for the yarn conduit extending from the shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
locking means disposed on the support and on the drum for engaging the locking means of the disc c. and support means suspending the disc angularly of the shaft in locking relationship with the support and with the drum whereby, as the shaft and yarn conduit rotate, an angular undulating motion is imparted to the disc to provide a rotating opening for the yarn conduit extending from the shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
an air chamber connected to the source of compressed air,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
In an automatic yarn tension equalizer having a drum about which yarn is wound to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for engaging the drive means to cause the drum and the yarn guide to rotate relative to each other comprising: a. a pneumatic system having
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
81 words
In an automatic yarn tension equalizer having a drum about which yarn is wound to form a plurality of turns and from which yarn is drawn off at one end thereof, a yarn guide for delivering yarn to the drum and drive means for rotating the drum and the yarn guide relative to each other, means for engaging the drive means to cause the drum and the yarn guide to rotate relative to each other comprising: a. a pneumatic system having
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
7 words
a valve for the air chamber and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
7 words
a valve for the air chamber and
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
7 words
a valve for the air chamber and
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
7 words
a valve for the air chamber and
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
7 words
a valve for the air chamber and
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
7 words
a valve for the air chamber and
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
7 words
a valve for the air chamber and
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
7 words
a valve for the air chamber and
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum for collecting the valve, said sensing means being operative to
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum for collecting the valve, said sensing means being operative to
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum for controlling the valve, said sensing means being operative to
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
58 words
means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. a piston slidably disposed within the air chamber and movable therein in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber, c. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum for controlling the valve, said sensing means being operative to
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
71 words
means for opening and closing the valve, i. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum responsive to the number of yarn turns on the drum for controlling the means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber and j. retractable linkage means operative to engage intermittently the drive means with the shaft in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
71 words
means for opening and closing the valve, i. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum responsive to the number of yarn turns on the drum for controlling the means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber and j. retractable linkage means operative to engage intermittently the drive means with the shaft in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3, wherein the drum is rotatable and the yarn guide is stationary.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
90 words
means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum and responsive to the number of yarn turns on the drum for controlling the valve, said sensing means causing said valve to open when a selected number of yarn turns are on the drum to reduce air pressure in the chamber, and c. retractable linkage means operative to engage and disengage the drive means in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
90 words
means for opening and closing the valve to vary air pressure in the chamber, b. yarn sensing means disposed adjacent the periphery of the drum and responsive to the number of yarn turns on the drum for controlling the valve, said sensing means causing said valve to open when a selected number of yarn turns are on the drum to reduce air pressure in the chamber, and c. retractable linkage means operative to engage and disengage the drive means in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
77 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 4 further including: a. a yarn sensing finger pivotally mounted on the drum, b. resilient means operative to cause the finger to pivot outwardly of the drum when the yarn turns on the drum are reduced to a selected minimum, c. a lever connecting the finger to the valve and d. resilient means operative to urge the lever into valve closing position when the finger is pivoted outwardly of the drum.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3 wherein the drum is stationary and the yarn guide is rotatable about the drum.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
66 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 6 further including: a. a yarn sensing finger pivotally mounted adjacent the drum, b. resilient means operative to cause the finger to pivot inwardly of the drum when the yarn turns on the drum are reduced to a selected minimum and c. means on the finger operative to close the valve when the finger is pivoted inwardly of the drum.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
48 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3 having: a. a piston slidably mounted within said air chamber, b. a lever mechanism connecting the piston to the drive means and c. resilient means connected to the lever mechanism operative to retract the drive means when the valve is opened.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
48 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3 having: a. a piston slidably mounted within said air chamber, b. a lever mechanism connecting the piston to the drive means and c. resilient means connected to the lever mechanism operative to advance the drive means when the valve is open.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
50 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3 wherein the drum has a plurality of arcuately spaced, axially extending slots formed therein, and includes slidable bars mounted in the slots and means to advance and retract the bars to advance the yarn turns toward the yarn drawoff end of the drum.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
55 words
The yarn tension equalizEr of claim 3 wherein the drive means includes: a. a rotatable idler pulley mounted on the linkage means and b. a driven belt passing continuously around the pulley, c. the linkage means being operable to advance and retract the belt in response to the amount of air pressure in the chamber.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
76 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3 wherein the pneumatic system includes: a. a first orifice between the air chamber and the source of compressed air and b. a second orifice through which air is discharged from the chamber, c. said second orifice having a cross sectional area larger than that of the first orifice and adopted to be opened and closed by the valve in response to the number of yarn turns on the drum.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
57 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3 further including means for converting the same to a positive yarn feeding device, said means comprising: a. linkage means for engaging the drive means to cause the drum and yarn guide to rotate continuously relative to each other and b. means for withdrawing the yarn generally tangentially of the drum.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
49 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3 wherein the drum comprises a plurality of circularly arranged spaced rotatable rollers having axes inclined relative to the axis of the drum, and includes means to drive said rollers to advance the yarn turns toward the yarn draw-off end of the drum.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 3 wherein the drum comprises a plurality of circularly arranged spaced endless belts, and includes means to drive said belts to advance the yarn turns toward the yarn draw-off end of the drum.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a textile machine, a. a shaft, b. a support for the shaft, c. a yarn passage in the shaft, d. a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, e. a yarn arm fixed to and extending from the shaft between the support and the drum for guiding the yarn radially outward of the shaft, f. means for advancing the yarn axially about the drum from the arm to a point beyond the drum, g. a detent mounted on the shaft and disposed between the support and the drum for locking the drum to the support while providing an opening for the yarn arm extending from the shaft and h. means for rotating the shaft and support relative to each other.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a textile machine, a. a shaft, b. a support for the shaft, c. a yarn passage in the shaft, d. a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, e. a yarn arm fixed to and extending from the shaft between the support and the drum for guiding the yarn radially outward of the shaft, f. means for advancing the yarn axially about the drum from the arm to a point beyond the drum, g. a detent mounted on the shaft and disposed between the support and the drum for locking the drum to the support while providing an opening for the yarn arm extending from the shaft and h. means for rotating the shaft and support relative to each other.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The machine of claim 16 wherein the shaft is rotatable and the support and the drum are stationary.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
98 words
The machine of claim 16 wherein: a. the detent comprises a disc having teeth engagable with teeth disposed on the support and teeth disposed on the durm, the teeth of the detent, the drum and the support all being arranged circularly, and b. the machine includes means for mounting the detent on the shaft angularly of the axis thereof, whereby the teeth of the detent engage progressively the teeth of the drum and the teeth of the support at diametrically opposed locations in the circle of teeth of the detent as the shaft rotates relative to the support.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
109 words
A yarn tension equalizer having: a. a shaft, b. a support for the shaft, c. drive means for rotating the shaft relative to the support, d. a yarn passage in the shaft, e. a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, f. a yarn arm fixed to and extending from the shaft between the support and the drum for guiding yarn radially outward of the shaft, g. a connector disposed between the support and the drum for locking the drum to the support while providing an opening for the yarn arm as it rotates with the shaft relative to the support, h. a pneumatic system having:
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
109 words
A yarn tension equalizer having: a. a shaft, b. a support for the shaft, c. drive means for rotating the shaft relative to the support, d. a yarn passage in the shaft, e. a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, f. a yarn arm fixed to and extending from the shaft between the support and the drum for guiding yarn radially outward of the shaft, g. a connector disposed between the support and the drum for locking the drum to the support while providing an opening for the yarn arm as it rotates with the shaft relative to the support, h. a pneumatic system having:
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
75 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 19 wherein: a. the connector comprises a disc having teeth engagable with teeth disposed on the support and on the drum and b. the equalizer includes means for mounting the disc on the shaft angularly of the axis thereof, whereby teeth of the disc engage progressively teeth of the drum and teeth of the support at spaced locations on the disc as the shaft rotates relative to the support.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The yarn tension equalizer of claim 19 wherein the shaft is rotatable and the support for the shaft is stationary.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
188 words
Yarn handling apparatus having a. a rotatable shaft, b. a yarn passage in the shaft, c. a stationary support for the shaft, d. a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, e. a yarn guide arm disposed between the support and the drum and affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith, f. said arm extending from the shaft to a point radially outward of the drum, g. said arm having a yarn passage communicating with the yarn passage in the shaft, h. a locking device in the space between the support and the drum, i. said locking device comprising a disc having a circle of teeth, j. a plurality of teeth on the support and on the drum and k. support means affixed to the shaft for mounting the disc angularly of the axis of the shaft, to maintain the teeth of the disc engaged with the teeth of the support and with the teeth of the drum at diametrically spaced locations on the disc, to lock the drum to the support as the shaft rotates while maintaining an opening for the yarn guide arm.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
188 words
Yarn handling apparatus having a. a rotatable shaft, b. a yarn passage in the shaft, c. a stationary support for the shaft, d. a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, e. a yarn guide arm disposed between the support and the drum and affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith, f. said arm extending from the shaft to a point radially outward of the drum, g. said arm having a yarn passage communicating with the yarn passage in the shaft, h. a locking device in the space between the support and the drum, i. said locking device comprising a disc having a circle of teeth, j. a plurality of teeth on the support and on the drum and k. support means affixed to the shaft for mounting the disc angularly of the axis of the shaft, to maintain the teeth of the disc engaged with the teeth of the support and with the teeth of the drum at diametrically spaced locations on the disc, to lock the drum to the support as the shaft rotates while maintaining an opening for the yarn guide arm.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
173 words
In yarn handling apparatus having a shaft, a support for the shaft having a plurality of circularly-arranged teeth, a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, said drum having a plurality of circularly-arranged teeth, a yarn guide extending from the shaft between the support and the drum for directing yarn generally radially of the shaft and means for rotating the shaft and the support relative to each other, a. a locking device mounted on the shaft and disposed between the support and the drum for locking the drum to the support while providing an opening for the yarn guide, b. said locking device comprising a disc having peripheral teeth, and c. support means affixed to the shaft mounting the disc angularly of the axis of the shaft to maintain the teeth of the disc engaged with the teeth of the support and with the teeth of the drum at diametrically spaced locations on the disc to lock the drum to the support, while maintaining an opening for the yarn guide.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
173 words
In yarn handling apparatus having a shaft, a support for the shaft having a plurality of circularly-arranged teeth, a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, said drum having a plurality of circularly-arranged teeth, a yarn guide extending from the shaft between the support and the drum for directing yarn generally radially of the shaft and means for rotating the shaft and the support relative to each other, a. a locking device mounted on the shaft and disposed between the support and the drum for locking the drum to the support while providing an opening for the yarn guide, b. said locking device comprising a disc having peripheral teeth, and c. support means affixed to the shaft mounting the disc angularly of the axis of the shaft to maintain the teeth of the disc engaged with the teeth of the support and with the teeth of the drum at diametrically spaced locations on the disc to lock the drum to the support, while maintaining an opening for the yarn guide.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein a. the shaft is provided with an internal yarn passage and b. the yarn guide comprises a yarn arm extending from the shaft and having a yarn passage communicating with the yarn passage in the shaft, c. said yarn arm extending from the shaft to a point radially outward of the drum.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein a. the shaft is rotatable and the support for the shaft is stationary and b. the yarn arm is fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith relative to the support.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
61 words
In textile apparatus having a rotatable shaft, a fixed support for the shaft and a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, a. yarn guiding means providing an uninterrupted yarn path extending from a location internally of the shaft to and externally of the drum to a location spaced axially from the drum, said yarn guiding means including
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
61 words
In textile apparatus having a rotatable shaft, a fixed support for the shaft and a drum mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, a. yarn guiding means providing an uninterrupted yarn path extending from a location internally of the shaft to and externally of the drum to a location spaced axially from the drum, said yarn guiding means including
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |