Abstract: A canister-yarn tensioning assembly is adapted for controlling tension in a running yarn drawn from a yarn supply package located within an open-top canister. The canister-yarn tensioning assembly includes a cylindrical adapter configured to reside at a mouth of the open-top canister. The adapter defines an unobstructed package transfer space sufficient to allow the yarn supply package to be manually lowered through the adapter and into the canister. A pivoted support arm is carried by the adapter, and configured to pivot at a connection point located on a peripheral flange of the adapter. One or more yarn tensioners are carried by the pivoted support arm, and are movable between an operative position within the package transfer space and an inoperative package-replacement position outside of the package transfer space.

Abstract: A yarn tensioner is adapted for adjusting tension in a running yarn. The yarn tensioner has a base, an adjustable pin rack, a fixed pin rack, and a fastener assembly. The adjustable pin rack is carried by the base and incorporates a first plurality of spaced apart parallel friction pins. The fixed pin rack is carried by the base and incorporates a second plurality of spaced apart parallel friction pins residing alternately between the friction pins of the adjustable pin rack. The running yarn travels across the yarn tensioner by snaking over and under adjacent parallel friction pins of the adjustable pin rack and the fixed pin rack. The fastener assembly attaches the adjustable pin rack to the base, such that the adjustable pin rack is movable relative to the fixed pin rack, thereby controlling frictional drag on the running yarn.

Abstract: A yarn tensioner is adapted for adjusting tension in a running yarn. The yarn tensioner has a base, an adjustable pin rack, a fixed pin rack, and a fastener assembly. The adjustable pin rack is carried by the base and incorporates a first plurality of spaced apart parallel friction pins. The fixed pin rack is carried by the base and incorporates a second plurality of spaced apart parallel friction pins residing alternately between the friction pins of the adjustable pin rack. The running yarn travels across the yarn tensioner by snaking over and under adjacent parallel friction pins of the adjustable pin rack and the fixed pin rack. The fastener assembly attaches the adjustable pin rack to the base, such that the adjustable pin rack is movable relative to the fixed pin rack, thereby controlling frictional drag on the running yarn.

Abstract: A textile machine includes a protective exterior cover, a slotted yarn access formed in the protective cover, and a safety guard shielding at least a portion of the slotted yarn access. The safety guard includes a guard body mounted to the protective cover proximate the slotted yarn access. The guard body has a fastener edge residing adjacent a first side of the slotted yarn access, and a free edge residing adjacent a second side of the slotted yarn access. The free edge of the guard body extends above and across the slotted yarn access and forms an unobstructed space on the second side of the slotted yarn access allowing yarn to pass around the free edge, underneath the safety guard and through the protective cover.

Abstract: A creel safety latch includes an elongated pivot-control bar defining a longitudinal slot having first and second terminal ends. The slot is adapted for receiving a latch pin of a movable bobbin creel. A first pin catch is located proximate the first terminal end of the slot, such that sliding movement of the latch pin along the slot and beyond the first catch locates the latch pin in a first holding position directly adjacent the first terminal end of the slot. A second pin catch is located proximate the second terminal end of the slot, such that sliding movement of the latch pin along the slot and beyond the second catch locates the latch pin in a second holding position directly adjacent the second terminal end of the slot.

Abstract: A yarn tensioner is designed for adjusting tension in a running yarn. The yarn tensioner includes a rotatable tension wheel having opposing yarn-contacting surfaces formed along an annular region thereof and configured to frictionally contact opposite sides of the running yarn such that the running yarn causes rotational movement of the tension wheel. An elongated wheel shaft is directly affixed to the tension wheel. A tension adjustment assembly frictionally contacts the wheel shaft, and creates select rotation resistance between adjacent parts of the assembly and the wheel shaft such that rotation of the tension wheel is adjustably frictionally controlled, thereby adjusting tension in the running yarn.

Abstract: A textile stuffer box comprises a housing assembly having a yarn entrance and a yarn exit, and cooperating interior chamber-forming surfaces. The chamber-forming surfaces defines a multi-stage internal crimping chamber for receiving and accumulating a moving length of ply-twisted yarn between the entrance and exit of the housing assembly. The crimping chamber comprising an upstream fixed-volume stage and a downstream adjustable-volume stage. A weight-balanced gate selectively adjusts a volume of the downstream adjustable-volume stage of the crimping chamber, thereby controlling axial compression of yarn accumulating inside the upstream fixed-volume stage of the crimping chamber.

Abstract: A yarn tensioner is designed for adjusting tension in a running yarn. The yarn tensioner includes a rotatable tension wheel having opposing yarn-contacting surfaces formed along an annular region thereof and configured to frictionally contact opposite sides of the running yarn such that the running yarn causes rotational movement of the tension wheel. An elongated wheel shaft is directly affixed to the tension wheel. A tension adjustment assembly frictionally contacts the wheel shaft, and creates select rotation resistance between adjacent parts of the assembly and the wheel shaft such that rotation of the tension wheel is adjustably frictionally controlled, thereby adjusting tension in the running yarn.

Abstract: A yarn creel assembly includes a vertical frame, a plurality of vertically spaced package holders, and a vertically disposed arcuate yarn guide. The package holders are mounted on the frame and adapted for carrying respective yarn packages, whereby a tail end of a first yarn package is attached to a head end of a second yarn package. The arcuate yarn guide extends between adjacent package holders, and is adapted for guiding a moving end of yarn drawn from an emptying first yarn package and transitioning to a full second yarn package.

Abstract: A textile stuffer box comprises a housing assembly having a yarn entrance and a yarn exit, and cooperating interior chamber-forming surfaces. The chamber-forming surfaces defines a multi-stage internal crimping chamber for receiving and accumulating a moving length of ply-twisted yarn between the entrance and exit of the housing assembly. The crimping chamber comprising an upstream fixed-volume stage and a downstream adjustable-volume stage. A weight-balanced gate selectively adjusts a volume of the downstream adjustable-volume stage of the crimping chamber, thereby controlling axial compression of yarn accumulating inside the upstream fixed-volume stage of the crimping chamber.

Abstract: An overfeed roller assembly for use on a rotating drive shaft of a textile machine is adapted for adjusting downstream tension in a continuous moving length of yarn. The overfeed roller assembly comprises a base assembly designed for mounting on the drive shaft, and an annular yarn tension adjuster carried by the base assembly. The tension adjuster comprises opposing closely spaced yarn-contacting walls. The yarn-contacting walls define a shallow generally serpentine depression in the tension adjuster adapted for receiving the continuous moving length of yarn. Yarn tension downstream of the roller assembly is thereby reduced as the moving yarn meanders through the tension adjuster in frictional contact with the yarn-contacting walls of the serpentine depression.

Abstract: A yarn creel assembly includes a vertical frame, a plurality of vertically spaced package holders, and a vertically disposed arcuate yarn guide. The package holders are mounted on the frame and adapted for carrying respective yarn packages, whereby a tail end of a first yarn package is attached to a head end of a second yarn package. The arcuate yarn guide extends between adjacent package holders, and is adapted for guiding a moving end of yarn drawn from an emptying first yarn package and transitioning to a full second yarn package.

Abstract: An overfeed roller assembly for use on a rotating drive shaft of a textile machine is adapted for adjusting downstream tension in a continuous moving length of yarn. The overfeed roller assembly comprises a base assembly designed for mounting on the drive shaft, and an annular yarn tension adjuster carried by the base assembly. The tension adjuster comprises opposing closely spaced yarn-contacting walls. The yarn-contacting walls define a shallow generally serpentine depression in the tension adjuster adapted for receiving the continuous moving length of yarn. Yarn tension downstream of the roller assembly is thereby reduced as the moving yarn meanders through the tension adjuster in frictional contact with the yarn-contacting walls of the serpentine depression.

Abstract: A multi-package yarn creel adapter mounts on a creel adjacent a textile machine. The yarn creel adapter includes a base designed for being carried by the creel. A plurality of radial spacers are attached to the base. A plurality of elongated package supports extend outwardly from respective radial spacers, and are adapted for carrying respective yarn packages to supply at least one end of yarn to the textile machine.

Abstract: An adjustable yarn tensioner includes a housing, first and second opposing yarn engaging surfaces, and a tension control assembly for controlling a degree of frictional force applied by the yarn engaging surfaces to a continuously running yarn. The housing has a yarn guiding inlet for receiving the running yarn at an unwinding tension from a yarn supply source, and a yarn guiding outlet for guiding the running yarn exiting the housing at a delivery tension. The first and second yarn engaging surfaces are disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the housing. At least one of the yarn engaging surfaces is adjustably biased towards the other to frictionally engage opposite sides of the running yarn along a path of yarn travel through the housing. The tension control assembly enables a plurality of user-selected graduated tension settings within a tension range greater than 800 grams, and respective tension settings have positive or negative increments of less than 20 grams.