Abstract: A ball tension device for producing generally uniform tension in a traveling textile yarn, particularly in combination with a yarn storage and supply apparatus of the rotating drum type. A base portion has a yarn passageway with an upwardly facing annular ball seat. A ball freely rotatably rests on the seat to apply a force to a yarn passing over the seat and through the passageway. A ball retaining portion extends over the ball at an upward spacing sufficient to allow upward movement of the ball but insufficient to allow removal of the ball. These base and ball retaining portions project transversely from a mounting portion to provide a substantial open space to permit entry of a downwardly inclined traveling yarn. The ball retaining portion is imperforate to provide a cover for the ball and seat to shield the ball and seat from accumulation of lint. Similarly, the substantial open space around the ball and seat tends to minimize lint accumulation.

Abstract: A yarn tensioning device having a yarn tensioning element mounted on a seat within a housing through which the yarn travels. A cap is mounted in the outlet of the housing and has a smaller opening than the size of the tensioning elements to prevent replacement or addition of elements and is secured in the housing to prevent removal. The cap has a tapered inner surface and two sequential frustoconical outer surfaces forming a juncture therebetween. The annular peripheral surface of the cap is relieved. The tensioning element is elongated and shaped to preclude rotation during operation and particularly when yarn travel stops during operation of the associated equipment.

Abstract: A combined ball tension control and stop motion unit in which the exit opening of the ball housing of the ball tension control component is mounted to the stop motion component. An interior yarn guide is mounted in an opening in the stop motion housing and projects into the outlet end of the ball housing. An electronic sensing element on a printed circuit board partially surrounds the yarn passage above the interior yarn guide and an exterior yarn guide is mounted above the printed circuit board for guiding yarn as it exits the unit. The exterior yarn guide may be of the type that is used in the ball housing when the ball tension control component is used separately without combination with the stop motion component.

Abstract: The present yarn tension control device is adaptable for regulating and adjusting the tension being applied to a running yarn being fed along a predetermined path of travel. The device includes first and second plate members having adjacent inner faces positioned on opposite sides of the running yarn with one of the plate members being resiliently urged toward the other plate member and in engagement with one side of the running yarn to thereby apply tension to the running yarn passing therebetween. The inner face of one of the plate members is substantially smooth and flat while the other plate member is provided with an opening extending through the central portion and the inner face is provided with shallow grooves extending radially outwardly from and being communicatively connected with the opening. The opening and the grooves in the plate member cooperate to provide passageways for the passage of air and for the escape of lint from between the plate members.

Abstract: In a tensioning device of the seated-ball type, an annular ball seating member is mounted in vertically adjustable spaced relationship to a tubular ball retaining member disposed thereabove and in axial alignment therewith. A ball element supported upon the seating member projects upwardly therefrom into the tubular member and is thereby restrained against excessive lateral movement during operation of the device, at which time the yarn undergoing tensioning passes upwardly through the seating member and then laterally therefrom through the space between the seating member and the overlying tubular member. The vertical adjustability of the seating member permits various changes to be made in the operating characteristics of the device, including variation of the degree of lateral constraint imposed upon the ball element.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for tensioning a running length of textile yarn. The device contains a yarn passageway made up of three sections, each section having a progressively larger diameter from the inlet end of the device. A small diameter section at the entrance end of the device has a seat adjacent the inner end thereof which receives a spherical element. The medium diameter section surrounds the seat and retains the spherical element therein. The larger diameter section of the passageway is sufficiently large to enable pressurized air to pass around the spherical element without forcing the element out the end of the passageway. The wall adjacent the junction of the large and medium diameter sections is tapered so as to permit ready return of the spherical element to the medium diameter section to reside on the seat. Mounting means are also provided for securing the device to a yarn handling machine.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for tensioning a running length of textile yarn. The device in its simplest form is made up of a housing with a yarn passageway extending therethrough. An annular seat is provided in the passageway and provides a surface for receiving a spherical element thereat with the element being out of contact with walls of the passageway while at rest on the seat. Relative dimensions of the passageway and the seat are such that the spherical element is precluded against lateral movement away from the seat, whereby the spherical element constantly applies tension against a yarn passing between the seat and the spherical element. The passageway further extends above the spherical element at the seat and may receive a plurality of elements if desired.

Abstract: An improved device is disclosed for tensioning a running length of textile yarn. The device has a housing with a yarn passageway extending therethrough. An annular seat is provided in the passageway to receive a spherical element, the surface around the annulus having a radius of curvature upwardly and outwardly therefrom. An upper end of the yarn passageway is provided with an abrasion resistant surface having smooth rounded edges at termination of the passageway, and may be in the form of an insert into the housing or an integral part of the housing. At least one spherical element is receivable in the passageway and resideable at the seat. The spherical element is out of contact with walls defining said passageway when at rest on the seat. One embodiment of the invention includes at least one spherical element in the passageway and a further, larger spherical element that resides atop the passageway, in engagement with the abrasion resistant surface thereat.