Abstract: Method to estimate the wear state of wiper blades (5) of a vehicle windshield wiper unit (1), said windshield wiper unit (1) comprising: at least one wiper blade (5) configured to wipe a windshield surface (S) when activated, at least one motor (7) configured to activate the at least one wiper blade (5), a controller (9) configured to control the at least one motor (7), comprising the steps: deriving a friction coefficient (B) between the at least one wiper blade (5) and the windshield surface (S), using the derived friction coefficient (B) to determine the wetness of the windshield surface (S), if the windshield surface (S) is dry, using the derived friction coefficient (B) to estimate the wear state of the at least one wiper blade (5).

Abstract: A roving frame has operating elements which engage rods mounted on a shank of each flyer of a flyer rail transversely to the pivot axis of the rod which is offset from the rod. The pressing fingers are swingable about this axis and can be urged outwardly to clear the bobbins and thus allow bobbin replacement.

Abstract: To secure the end of the roving (5) to packages (9) before their doffing from a roving frame, it is proposed to initially raise the package support carriage (2) into a position such that the lower end (4a) of the tubes (4) is at the level of the compressor (16) of the flyers (6), then rotate the packages (9) and flyers (6) through a few revolutions in order to wind and secure the roving (5) onto the lower end portion (4a) of the tubes (4), after which the carriage (2) is lowered to break the roving (5) in the section between the lower end (4a) of the tubes (4) and the flyers (6). Preferably, before lowering the packages (9), a reserve of roving (5) is created by slowly rotating the flyers (6) and packages (9) through a few revolutions, to simultaneously twist the roving (5) and strengthen it.

Abstract: A presser finger for banks of spindles, that has a slot (1) opening at one end in a hole (2) for passage of the yarn (6), closed at its other end and having a transverse cross section less than the thickness of the yarn. The slot can be wedge-shaped, or it can have parallel edges smoothly machined at acute angles.

Abstract: A spinning flyer comprises a rotatable flyer having spaced apart substantially parallel flyer arms with a central web portion. A head projects outwardly from the web portion in an opposite direction from the arms and a twist crown is slidably engageable over the head. The twist crown is nevertheless inhibited from removal from the head by a securing member in the form of an O-ring or similar elastic member engageable between the twist crown and the head.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a flyer for roving frames. According to the invention the flyer arms (14,16) at their free ends are connected rigidly with a ring (17). Furthermore, an enclosed guide duct with a guide tube (22) is provided for the roving, which guide tube (22) is supported to be pivotable about its longitudinal axis and supports a presser finger (25). Thus, a flyer of relatively low weight results, but of high solidity, permitting high rotational speeds. The guide duct for the roving can be of enclosed shape over a maximum of its length.

Abstract: A process and an improved device for spinning or twisting and winding yarn is disclosed which is for use with a yarn spinning or twister device which conventionally includes a traveler assembly of a type used in textile mills. The device includes a driven rotor disposed axially through the twister device such as the twister ring and traveler assembly with a twisted yarn extending downwardly from the traveler, through a first radially facing hole in the rotor, and a second axially facing hole through an up-down reciprocating carrier bar supporting a depending rotatable free spinning yarn guide frame, designed to guide the yarn outwardly and downwardly and into a convolutely wound engagement along the length of a bobbin engaged on a driven spindle driven, and including a brake to arrest rotational movement of the yarn guide frame when the winding operation is discontinued. Preferably, the rotor or artificial bobbin is driven at the same revolutions per minute as the spindle.

Abstract: A bobbin rotating on a spindle in order to draw slivers into rovings coacts with a presser foot which is swingable in an eccentric wing of a flyer journaled on a fly frame above the bobbin and coaxial therewith. The inward swing of the presser foot is limited to a distance from the spindle axis which is slightly less than the radius of the bobbin so as to enable an outward camming of that foot, against the force of a biasing spring inside the wing, with the aid of a beveled surface on the presser foot and/or on the bobbin top when the spindle carrying an empty bobbin initially rises relatively to the fly frame.

Abstract: A free, rotating flyer is suspended from an arm hinged to the threadboard of a frame. The flyer is detachably connected to a flange which is positively driven by a timing belt. The flange coaxially surrounds the spindle.

Abstract: The body of the flyer provides two identical limbs and is formed as a single hollow piece and in that the roving guide is constituted by a tube housed inside the corresponding limb and extending on the one hand into the upper part of the hollow shaft and on the other hand, into the corresponding arm.