Abstract: A yarn tension control device controls tension in a running yarn. The tension control device includes a housing having a yarn guiding inlet for receiving running yarn at an unwinding tension from a yarn supply source, and a yarn guiding outlet for guiding running yarn exiting the housing at a delivery tension. First and second opposing yarn engaging surfaces are disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and are adapted to frictionally engage opposite sides of the running yarn along a path of yarn travel through the housing. The first and second yarn engaging surfaces define a respective plurality of sequentially spaced friction rolls. A biasing assembly resiliently urges the first and second yarn engaging surfaces together. The opposing friction rolls cooperate to form a number of sequentially spaced nip points adapted to adjust yarn delivery tension in response to stress variations in running yarn entering the housing.

Abstract: A snap-on ball tensioning device for attachment to a right-angled post having a ball tension portion through which a yarn is fed with a post engaging surface. A connecting portion projects integrally from the ball tension portion, and leg portion extends from the connecting portion with a post engaging surface parallel with the ball tension portion post engaging surface for engagement on a leg of the right-angled post. A retaining lip is formed at the outer end of the leg portion post engaging surface and a retaining rib projects from the leg portion at a spacing inwardly from the retaining lip, with the lip and rib serving to properly position and retain the device against lateral movement on the leg of the post.

Abstract: A traveling yarn tension compensating system having a pair of vertically disposed, horizontally spaced ball-type yarn tensioning units and a yarn tension compensating device disposed therebetween. The device has a yarn engaging element with a yarn engaging surface that is downwardly convex for engaging a yarn thereunder. The surface is fixed so as not to rotate or otherwise move in the direction of travel of the yarn and is made of a material that imposes a tension increasing frictional drag on the traveling yarn. The surface engaging element is mounted to be freely movable vertically in response to tension in the traveling yarn. The convex shape of the yarn engaging surface results in a greater extent of surface engagement of the yarn when the surface engaging element is in a lower position resulting from lesser tension in the yarn and at which position it deflects the yarn downwardly over the yarn guides.