Abstract: A bobbin drive mechanism is for a rotary braider of the type in which a circular array of outer strand supply bobbins and a circular array of inner strand supply bobbins are caused to rotate one array relative to the other. The outer strand supply bobbins are fixedly mounted on a first circular table of the braider, the inner strand supply bobbins are mounted for relative rotational movement about a circular track of the first table and strands from the outer strand supply bobbins are capable of being guided inwardly and outwardly of the track and the inner strand supply bobbins thereon to produce braiding. The bobbin drive mechanism includes a second circular table coaxially aligned with the first table and adapted to rotate relative thereto. A circular array of pairs of shafts corresponds to the array of inner strand supply bobbins and each is mounted for rotation on the second table.

Abstract: A braiding machine for braiding a plurality of strands includes a tubular member which has a first rotatable table, a stationary sun gear and a second rotatable table mounted thereon. The first table is rotated in a first direction and includes a circular array of rotatable shafts mounted thereon. Each of the shafts is parallel with the tubular member and has a planetary gear mounted on an intermediate portion thereof which is aligned with and engages the sun gear to cause rotation of the shaft as the first table rotates. A drive gear is fixedly mounted on a first end of each shaft in engagement with an encircled gear on the second table to cause the second table to rotate about the tubular member in an opposite direction from the first direction. The first table includes a circular array of outer strand supply bobbins corresponding with the array of shafts.

Abstract: A strand carrier for a strand fabricating machine includes a support structure and a shaft mounted thereon. A hub is mounted for rotation around the shaft for receipt of a bobbin of strand thereon for common rotation about the shaft. A helical clutch spring includes a first end secured to the support structure so that it closely encircles an outer cylindrical surface of the hub to restrict rotation thereof. A clutch release sleeve is rotatably mounted on the support structure around the clutch spring and receives the other end of the spring in an opening therein so that rotation of the clutch release sleeve in a first direction will tend to unwind the clutch spring to reduce friction on the hub. A control lever pivotally mounted on the support structure has a first section which includes a strand guide thereon and is connected to the sleeve. The lever is biased in a direction tending to rotate the sleeve in an opposite direction from the first direction.