Abstract: A textile apparatus is disclosed wherein a cylindrical package of strand material is mounted on an elongated hollow spindle and the strand material is withdrawn from the package and through the hollow spindle for further processing. A flyer arm is mounted on an extremity of the spindle for rotation thereabout with the arm extending radially outwardly of the spindle to overlie the outer circumference of the package. An adjustable strand tensioning device is mounted on the flyer adjacent the longitudinal axis of the spindle and longitudinally spaced from the end of the spindle and within an envelope defined by the path of movement of the strand material as it is guided by the flyer arm from the package into the hollow spindle.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for winding a strand of material such as textile yarn in which a single strand is advanced from a supply package by a variable speed electrical drive associated with a takeup package while being guided from the supply package along a predetermined path of travel toward the takeup package, and in which a single strand of material advancing along the path is engaged by an electrical signal generating electrically controllable tensioning device which generates an electrical signal indicative of strand advancement while imposing controllable tension on the engaged strand material, a drive signal is derived from the generated electrical signal and applied to the electrical drive so as to controllably vary the speed thereof in response to signals indicative of strand advancement, and a tension signal is derived from the generated electrical signal and applied to the tensioning device so as to controllably vary the tension imposed thereby on the engaged strand in response to signals indicat

Abstract: A sheave for engaging strand materials such as textile fabric yarns and the like. The sheave has spoke members transferring torques to and from a hub under compression and tension loading. The sheave also has an annular strand engaging groove with abutments for enhancing gripping engagement with a strand.

Abstract: In combination with apparatus for advancing at least one individual tensioned textile strand along a predetermined path of travel, an electrical switch capable of signalling a need for stopping of the apparatus in response to the occurrence of an improper operating condition of an individual strand. The switch device has a housing for mounting adjacent the path of travel of a strand, a guide for engagement with the strand and for movement relative to the housing in response to strand conditions such as breakage or excessive slack, a light actuated electrical switch within the housing, a light source within the housing for illuminating the switch, and a shutter mounted for movement in response to movement of the guide and optically interposed between the switch and the light source for controlling the electrical signalling of the switch in response to occurrence of improper operating conditions.