Abstract: The device comprises a support body (15) fixable to the machine structure and an operating lever (20) pivoted to the support body (15). Two parts (18a, 18b) are axially slidable within the support body (15), one carrying a brake shoe (19) arranged to act on the shank (11) of the spindle and the other engaged with the operating lever (20), the two parts (18a, 18b) being maintained axially spaced apart by a compression spring (24). A return spring (23) acts between the support body (15) and the part (18b) engaging the operating lever (20) to maintain the device in its inactive position. On pressing the lever (20), the brake shoe (19) is urged against the spindle shank (11) with a pressure which depends on the spring (24) interposed between the two parts (18a, 18b), independently of the force exerted on the operating lever (20), so preventing damage or operational problems arising in the spindles if the operator presses excessively on the operating lever (20).

Abstract: To fix the rectilinear combs (4) of a combing machine, a pneumatic system is provided comprising presser elements (16) acting on the section bars (5) of the combs (4) and operated by respective pistons (17) which move within chambers (18) provided in the supports (7) for the section bars (5) and connectable selectively to a compressed air source (22) or to discharge (28). During locking, the presser elements (16) press the section bars (5) of the combs (4) against the supports (7) via plates (20) removably fixed to the ends of the rods (19) of the pistons (17). Discharging the compressed air from the chambers (18) results in simultaneous release of the combs (4). The traditional operations of clamping and releasing the individual comb units (4) are hence eliminated, and the time required for cleaning or replacing the combs is considerably shortened.

Abstract: The position of the gripper unit in a combing machine is monitored, and when the machine is to be halted its stoppage is controlled such that the machine halts always and only when the gripper unit is at its point of maximum opening or maximum closeness to the grabbing rollers. A position sensor (35) is associated for example with the rocker arm (18) which operates the gripper unit and provides pulses at each rocking movement of the arm (18). When the machine motor (27) is to be halted a braking action is produced by a brake (36) after a predetermined time or after measuring a certain number of pulses from the sensor (35) or on measuring a determined time interval between pulses, so as to effectively halt the machine with the gripper unit open.