Abstract: A yarn measuring instrument having a rotatably mounted operative element whose rotation in response to frictional engagement thereof by travelling yarn cooperates with electronic circuit means to measure a plurality of characteristics of the travelling yarn is provided with means for capturing the travelling yarn and placing it in frictional engagement with the operative element. The yarn capturing means includes an arm which has a free end provided with yarn retaining means. The arm is mounted within the instrument for movement between a projected position thereof in which the yarn retaining means extends outwardly of the instrument and a retracted position thereof in which the yarn retaining means extends inwardly of the instrument, whereby travelling yarn captured in the retaining means when the arm is in its projected position automatically frictionally engages the operative element when the arm is moved to its retracted position.

Abstract: A storage drum adapted to have yarn wound thereon tangentially adjacent the rear end thereof for forming thereon a plurality of windings which advance axially toward the forward end thereof. The drum comprises a surface of revolution about the longitudinal axis thereof, which has a yarn loading section and a yarn winding accumulating section joined together at a point of inflection. The yarn loading section extends rearwardly of the point of inflection and the yarn accumulating section extends forwardly of the point of inflection. The loading section is shaped so that a tangent thereto immediately rearwardly of the point of inflection forms an angle with the drum axis whose tangent is greater than the coefficient of static friction between yarn and drum surface and so that tangents to progressively more rearward points along the loading section form progressively larger angles with the drum axis.