Abstract: Yarn breakage stop motion device for textile machines, in particular for tufting machines, having a number of plates corresponding to the number of yarns to be monitored, utilize plates equipped on both ends with an eye each. One eye serves to guide a yarn to be monitored and the other eye supports the plate on a carrier axle. All plates together form in their entirety a register. A photocell acting on the drive mechanism of the textile machine is arranged such that the pivoting of one or more plates will be detected by the photocell. A plurality of spacer rings are held clampingly against each other on the carrier axle, with each of the spacer rings having on one side an annular shoulder surrounding the carrier axle and the eye serving to support the plate being provided with an aperture, so that the diameter of the eye corresponds to the external diameter of the annular shoulder and the width of the eye aperture to the diameter of the internal opening of the spacer ring or the diameter of the carrier axle.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for selective positive feeding of a plurality of yarns (Fa-Fd) to striping knitting machines, comprising a plurality of yarn feeding units (1), each having a number of yarn feeding devices. The invention proposes to use a single electromagnet (9) in each yarn feeding unit to move the yarn control elements (7'a-7'd) of all yarn feeding devices from their feeding to their non-feeding positions by means of a uni-directional coupling between the electromagnet (9) and the control elements (7'a-7'd) and to move the control elements in the reverse direction by means of an increase in yarn tension when the yarn (Fa-Fd) is being knitted into the fabric.

Abstract: An electrical warp thread-monitoring apparatus for a loom wherein a multiplicity of warp threads each carry a drop wire which, in the presence of thread rupture, connects a pair of current rails which are mutually electrically insulated from one another, and thus, closes an alternating-current circuit. The alternating-current circuit possesses at its input side an alternating-current voltage source which can be connected by means of a bridge rectifier with the current rails. This bridge rectifier or rectifier circuit forms the input of a voltage-dependent pulse converter following which there is connected in circuit a RC-integration stage and a threshold value-switching stage, which also then produce a shutdown or stop signal when the contact locations are contaminated and prevent generation of a shutdown or stop signal when contaminants, leakage currents and dancing drop wires produce short pulses.

Abstract: A weft or filling thread monitor comprises a wire-shaped feeler pin which is pivoted by a thread, against the action of spring force, in the region of a measuring field. The measuring field encompasses a light-emitting diode and a photocell and enables generating, in a contactless manner by the feeler pin, an electrical control signal which is related to the monitored thread. This control signal is infed to a first input of a gate switching stage, at the second input of which there is applied a machine-controlled reference signal. In the absence of the control signal there appears at the output a work signal suitable for shutdown of the machine. Due to these measures such thread monitoring apparatus, working with contactless signal triggering, can fulfil all of the requirements placed thereon.

Abstract: The yarn condition sensing device is comprised of a plurality of thin flat forks pivoted at one end thereof between a plurality of closely spaced apart plates protruding from one side of a reed. The opposite end of each fork is provided with a yarn guide aperture for sensing a plurality of yarns under tension. A pair of parallel electrical contacts are secured along the top and bottom edges respectively of the reed which will produce a suitable warning or control signal if contacted by the pivoted fork upon variation in the tension of a single yarn. If the tension of a yarn increases undesirably, the fork engaged with said yarn will be pivoted upwardly into engagement with the electrical contact along the top edge of the reed. if a yarn should break, the fork engaged therewith will fall downwardly into engagement with the electrical contact disposed along the bottom edge of said reed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of sensing an abnormality in a weft detecting device which is employed in a loom in order to detect whether a weft is present in a predetermined interval corresponding to a set crank angle range within one revolution of the crank. When the weft detecting device generates a signal in the predetermined crank angle range excluding the weft detection angle range, the signal is regarded as an abnormal signal. The abnormal signal is processed by circuitry to detect the abnormality in the weft detecting device. Thus, when it is impossible to detect a weft insertion error because of some abnormality in the weft detecting device, the presence of the abnormal signal is utilized to issue an alarm or to stop the operation of the loom.

Abstract: The electronic weft stop motion is designed for monitoring the weft thread in a last phase immediately following the weft insertion into the weaving shed when a thread tensioning device located on the picking side of the machine laterally deflects the weft or filling thread and thus holds it tensioned. A tactile thread sensor is arranged in the region of the lateral deflection of the weft thread in such a manner that the thread sensor goes free from the weft thread in the undeflected condition thereof, however is frictionally contacted by the weft thread when the latter is being laterally deflected.

Abstract: The knitting machine is provided with a yarn tension indicator for continuously monitoring the tension of an elastomeric yarn being withdrawn from a yarn supply source and fed to the needles of the circular knitting machine and for providing a constant visual indication to the machine operator of the tension in the running yarn. The yarn tension indicator includes a base plate and a pointer lever supported in a substantially horizontal position and for pivotal movement on the base plate. Fixed guides are provided for directing the yarn through a movable yarn guide supported for longitudinal adjustment on the pointer lever to urge the same in an upward direction. Weights are supported for longitudinal adjustment on the pointer lever for urging the pointer lever in a downward direction so that when the tension in the running yarn is proper, the pointer lever maintains a horizontal position which may be easily observed by the knitting machine operator.

Abstract: Circular knitting machine for producing artificial furs or pile fabric having combed-in fibres comprises a drive motor and at least a carding device, which has a drive member being in operative connection with the drive motor for supplying rotary movement to the rotatable parts of the carding device. In order to achieve that in the event of excessive load in the rotating parts at least the operation of the carding device is automatically suspended, according to the invention there is provided between the drive motor (6) and the drive member (25) an overload clutch (23) having a device (30, 63) for automatically stopping the drive motor (6) (FIG. 2) when the overload condition is reached.

Abstract: A thread monitor for use in textile machines monitors thread tension (i.e. to detect thread breakage or relaxation) and the presence of knots in the thread. If either is detected the monitor issues a signal and shuts down the associated textile machine. The device can be adjusted for different thread tensions, different thread thicknesses and different knot sizes. To prevent difficulties due to electrostatic charging the main elements of the monitor are connected to a grounding terminal.

Abstract: A precise, accurate and sensitive control method and system for actuating the stop motion mechanism of a weaving loom equipped with a weft yarn storage feeder unit is disclosed. The storage and feeder unit includes a device for applying tension to the weft yarn being delivered from a weft yarn supply to the storage and feeder device. The tension device is equipped with a switch which provides a first electrical signal when the weft yarn being supplied to the storage and feeder device becomes slack or interrupted. That switch is connected with the weft yarn storage and feeder unit motor circuit. The weft yarn storage and feeder unit may be intermittently driven as the need occurs for feeding a weft yarn length or pick into the loom.

Abstract: The warp yarn stop motion is provided with a locating rail which is sub-divided into electrically insulated sections from the U-shaped rail. Each of these sections is electrically connected with pilot lights at the ends of each section. Should a drop wire fall on to a rail section, the pilot lights at the ends of the section are also illuminated so as to define the segment of the weaving width within which a broken warp yarn is located.

Abstract: An order produced by an interruption of yarn delivery at the exit of a spinning unit is cancelled so that the yarn-piecing automaton does not stop in front of the unit but continues to travel towards another spinning unit. At the same time, an alarm system is automatically triggered in order to warn operating personnel that a servicing operation is urgently required.

Abstract: An apparatus for the positive delivery of thread to a circular knitting machine having a plurality of movable belts which are positioned at different heights. A plurality of conveyor rollers are associated with the belts and are supported on a machine support ring. A plurality of cut-off devices individually coact with the conveyor rollers and, when the thread tension lessens, move the respective thread from its conveying position, in which it is movably clamped between one of the belts and its respective conveyor roller, into a rest position in which the thread lies outside of the belt. A number of the conveyor rollers, each of which corresponds with one of the belts, are individually rotatably but coaxially supported about a common axis defined by a support which projects from a holder, which holder is secured to the support ring. An elongated guide bar is also secured to the holder in sidewardly spaced but parallel relationship with respect to the common axis.

Abstract: Loss of tension in individual warp threads is detected in the lease zone by directing a flow of air against one side of the warp threads within the lease zone to displace any relatively untensioned thread toward the opposite side of said zone and detecting such displacement photoelectrically. Preferably, the photoelectric detector is insensitive to disturbances other than thread displacement.

Abstract: A stop mechanism for knitting machines of the Rachel type comprising a reed with an upper flange fitted with a strengthening section projecting from and along a whole edge for guiding a thread. A contact which is fixed for threads not forming a nap, and is movable and cylindrical for threads produces a nap. The reed has small plates and blade components between these plates. The blade components are bent to form a groove for guiding the thread. Each blade component has two circular holes and one elongated hole and the built-in tendency for toppling over onto this contact. The blade components and small plates are connected by two spindles. The contact may have a chordal flat for increasing its contact area and is attached to an electrical conductor at one of its extreme ends and can be moved along a semicircular path by a crank. A metal spindle attached to an electrical wire passes through the circular hole innermost on the blade component.

Abstract: To permit ready disassembly of thread sensing and thread brake elements from a yarn feed device, the thread sensing, thread guiding and thread brake elements are, selectively, secured to a separate attachment or housing which is connected to the holder by means of a slidable shoe-socket arrangement which, additionally, carries the contacts for the stop-motion system of the machine so that, depending on yarn being used on the machine and supplied by the device, the supply guide element can be suitably assembled to the machine without disassembly of the thread feeding devices including the thread supply drums as such; or the stop-motion switches coupled to stop-motion sensing elements can be individually maintained or replaced.

Abstract: The supply portion to a thread supply drum is pivotally located on the holder for the drum, to pivot about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of the drum; this supply portion carries a thread brake 24, an inlet eye 27, and a further inlet guide element 26. Preferably, the supply portion is removably located on the holder 1, for example by means of a plug-and-socket connection, a slide-in dovetail joint, or the like. Pivotal connection permits compensation for short-time tension peaks arising, for example, upon yarn drag, and combination with a stop-motion switch.

Abstract: At each work position of a textile machine having a plurality of work positions driven by a common drive unit (warper's creels, winder or spooling and spinning machines, or circular knitting machines, for example), an electronic monitor device is provided which is responsive to thread travel. An indicator device is associated with each travel monitor and comprises a storage element and an indicator connected thereto, for the permanent indication of a thread breakage. To prevent false indications of thread breakage when the machine is stopped, a control signal is generated when the machine's drive unit is operating. Each indicator device further includes an electronic switch responsive to the control signal to insure the storage unit can be set to indicate a thread breakage only during operation of the drive unit.

Abstract: A positive thread-delivery device for a textile, in particular a knitting, machine with a plurality of thread-guiding rollers, with which cooperates a common delivery belt and with which each one a thread-control element is associated, which thread-control element during the delivery of the thread holds same in a clamping position between the delivery belt and the thread-guiding roller and which during a drop in the tension of the thread which is delivered by the thread-delivery device can be changed over into a position in which it guides the thread over an area of the thread-guiding roller which is free of the delivery belt to thus terminate the thread delivery, and a tension feeler is provided which engages, independently from the thread-control element, the thread which is delivered by the thread-delivery device, which feeler operates an electromagnet which loads the thread-control element.

Abstract: A positive thread-delivery device for a knitting machine, wherein a plurality of thread-guiding rollers are associated with each knitting system, with which one common delivery belt cooperates, wherein with each roller there is associated a thread-control element which, during processing of the thread, holds same in a clamping position between the delivery belt and roller and which during paying out of the thread can be changed over into a position in which it guides the thread over an area of the roller which is free from the delivery belt to thus terminate such delivery, and including a thread-breakage monitor wherein a swivel arm is provided which engages the thread which unwinds from the thread-delivery device, which swivel arm has associated therewith first and second switches operated at different angles of traverse of the swivel arm, the first switch controlling an electromagnet which loads the thread-control element, the second switch stopping the drive of the machine, the first switch being the first

Abstract: For a textile machine fed by yarn bobbins, such as a hosiery knitting machine and like apparatus, a device is provided for detecting the condition in which the yarn is nearly finished in any bobbin and for stopping the machine automatically prior to having to suffer from damage to the article being knitted.A system of fixed and movable contacts associated to each section of the bobbin is provided, the movable contacts being responsive to the presence and the pressure of the yarn so that when the yarn pressure on the bobbin stud begins to be released, the movable contact closes an alarm and stopping circuit.

Abstract: In the production of yarn in an open-end spinning turbine having an elastically mounted rotor bearing, a break in the yarn or an operating state which influences yarn quality is detected by means of a sensor which produces a signal representative of radial deflections of the bearing and an evaluation circuit which responds to the absence of and/or a change in the signal component produced by the sensor as a result of radial deflections created by the fiber material present on the rotor.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the detection of yarn defects, which may be effected in combination with a standard yarn clearer or independently thereof, the cross section of the yarn is continuously scanned and an electrical signal is generated representing not only the cross section and length of yarn defects, but also their frequency or periodicity, and these features are used as the criterion for generating a defect signal as an indication of detection of regular or irregular sequences of thick places in the yarn.

Abstract: A two-piece snap-on yarn trapper including a molded U-shaped bracket that snaps onto a yarn detector switch and supports a plural-turn helical spring. This spring is held inwardly bowed in the bracket so that the turns are held open or separated on the yarn side to provide a series of V-grooves for receiving the yarn that is drawn tightly thereinto by the trip lever of the yarn detector switch thereby to trap the yarn when it goes slack. The bracket is provided with a pair of inner edges or guides to guide the yarn to the middle portion of the helix where trapping is most effective and reliable. The helical spring is compressed and snap-in assembled on a pair of angularly-disposed stubs received in opposite ends thereof to hold the spring in its bowed condition on the bracket due to the tension of the helix.

Abstract: In monitoring a continuous sequence of work positions on a textile machine for thread breakage, a magnetic probe is driven along a path adjacent the ring traveler at each work position so as to generate a signal upon detection of the traveler as it rotates with the thread and provide no signal when the traveler ceases to rotate due to thread breakage. To simplify the electrical connection to the probe, the drive arrangement for the probe includes at least one conductive metallic drive band connected to the probe and to a driving source for moving the probe along the path past the work positions. A detector is then coupled to the drive band to detect the electrical signals carried thereby from the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting whether one thread selected from a number of threads is in motion, while no other thread is in motion, or whether a set of threads selected from a number of sets, each having two or more threads, is in motion, while no other set is in motion. The apparatus includes a signal generator associated with each thread for generating an electric signal in response to the movement of the associated thread. The signal generators are coupled sequentially to signal indication apparatus. If the prescribed thread movement is detected, the signal generating apparatus inhibits generation of an alarm indication. If the prescribed thread movement is not detected, the signal generating apparatus activates a trigger device to initiate an alarm.

Abstract: A filament supplied to a textile machine is held under tension by a thread mounted on a weighted or otherwise biased lever which trips a switch to arrest the machine upon rupture of the filament. In normal operation, the lever is held against a stop by the tension of the thread supplemented by the force of a magnet whose attraction diminishes rapidly over the swing range of the lever, the biasing force slightly exceeding the magnetic force in the normal lever position to prevent oscillations in response to minor fluctuations in filament tension but to initiate a rapid cutoff in the event of a break.

Abstract: A plurality of signal generators are provided, one signal generator being associated with each object for example threads, strips, or the like whose motion is to be detected. Each signal generator generates an electric signal upon detection of movement of its associated object. The signal generators are connected in a series circuit, each end of which is connected to the input of a separate signal amplifier. The connections between adjacent signal generators in the series circuit are successively grounded. The signal amplifiers have their outputs connected to a gate circuit, the output of which is connected to the device for successively grounding the signal circuit connections so that, if a signal is generated simultaneously by at least one signal generator on each side of the grounded connection, operation is interrupted.

Abstract: A mercury switch which operates the speed control of a circular hosiery knitting machine is positioned within an elongated chamber of a switch housing. The switch housing, in turn, is pivotally mounted to the frame of a knitting machine at such a position as to be operated by a lever responsive to progression of the pattern chain and/or cam drum, and alternately tilted between a "switch activated" and "switch deactivated" position. The mercury switch is so arranged within the housing that when the housing is lowered to the deactivated position, the mercury is disengaged from the contacts of the switch, and when the housing is raised to the activated position, the mercury is caused to move by gravity down into engagement with the contacts of the switch. The mercury switch is completely sealed within the housing, so that oil, oil vapors, dust and the like cannot work thereinto.

Abstract: In a knitting machine positive feed device of the type comprising a rotatable roller having a bracket mounted for free pivotable motion adjacent the roller under the control of a pair of weighted arms which are attached to the bracket, the fixed yarn guides which are disposed adjacent the opposing ends of one of said arms are supplemented by an intervening movable yard guide which is weighted for movement under the influence of gravity to take up slack in the yarn caused by any overfeed from the roller. The movable yarn guide can also be associated with a stop-motion switching device operative to turn off the knitting machine if the yarn should break.

Abstract: The present invention relates to equipment for monitoring the yarn travel on a textile machine, particularly in the shuttle of a weaving loom, comprising a piezoelectrical yarn sensing unit mounted in the shuttle and an electronic receiving circuitry outside the shuttle. The sensing unit transmits yarn travel signals of a frequency which is determined by one of the natural frequencies of the sensing unit, and the electronic receiving circuitry comprises at least one resonant circuit tuned to that natural frequency.

Abstract: A trapper for trapping the yarn in a knitting machine and holding it, under normal slackening when knitting certain patterns, to prevent unwanted tripping of the detector switch and machine shutdown. This yarn trapper consists of a one-piece wire member having a two-turn helix with a pair of supporting arms bent out radially and outwardly from opposite ends thereof at a common angular point on the periphery of the helix and having inwardly bent mounting hooks at their ends. These arms are held slightly spread apart from their normal relaxed condition when the trapper is snap-mounted on the yarn detector switch to relieve the pressure between each of the half-turns and the full turn and thus provide a pair of semi-circular traps formed by the half turns in light touching contact with different portions of the full turn to frictionally hold even the thinnest yarn if it should be pulled thereinto upon attempted swinging of the trip lever.

Abstract: A filament monitoring device for knitwear manufacturing machines and of the kind having a filament guide arranged to move out of its operating position when a predetermined filament tension is exceeded and to be returned into the operating position with a force less than the breaking tension of the filament for automatic reapplication of the machine drive is, according to the invention, characterized by the provision of a guided slide member carrying only the filament guide and the armature of a magnet which holds the slide member in the operating position, and by a cable connection between the slide member and a return piston which is reciprocable in a compressed air cylinder and adapted to return the slide member to the operating position.

Abstract: Faults in produced yarn occurring by fouling of spinning units can be detected by measuring changes in the cross-sectional diameter of the yarn and producing a control signal indicating irregularities. The apparatus of this invention includes a measuring device for measuring the cross-sectional diameter and producing a signal representative thereof, which signal is processed in a discriminator circuit, including at least a correcting circuit with a non-linear characteristic, an integrating circuit and a comparison circuit to compare the integrated signal with a predetermined standard, thereby producing the control signal.

Abstract: A magnetically responsive circuit is arranged in the yarn breakage detection portion of a knitting machine for providing a visual indication of yarn breakage and for simultaneously switching the operating state of a drive coil-actuated clutch which feeds yarn into the machine. The drive coil is serially connected with a magnetically actuated reed switch which responds to the detection of yarn breakage to switch the operating state of the drive coil. A normally disabled lamp or other illumination device is connected to the drive coil and to the switch by means of a diode. The diode is poled to maintain the lamp disabled while the switch remains unoperated, and to energize the lamp when the switch is operated in response to a detection of yarn breakage.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the travel of a yarn, particularly weft yarn in the shuttle of a loom, which device is designed as an assembly or unit comprising a piezoelectric transducer element, a yarn feeler member fixedly bonded with the transducer elements and arranged as a unilaterally clamped flexural vibratory member, and an induction coil operatively connected with the piezoelectric transducer element, and wherein a yarn guide means is provided at or near the free end of the vibratory yarn feeler member such that the yarn when traveling acts upon said feeler member in a restricted area thereof.

Abstract: In a knitting machine in which upon the application of abnormal tension to yarn, the yarn is released from a yarn engaging element and simultaneously the knitting machine is halted. A yarn replacing apparatus is provided comprising at least one vertical motion mechanism for receiving yarn released from a yarn engaging element and moving it upward into reengagement with the yarn engaging element. The vertical motion mechanism further includes a detecting device for detecting an abnormal condition in the yarn, whereby when abnormal tension applied to the yarn has been removed, the vertical motion mechanism continues to operate, whereas when the abnormal tension applied to the yarn has not been removed, the vertical motion mechanism is halted, and the knitting machine automatically again comes into operation only after the reengagement of the released yarn with the yarn engaging element.

Abstract: A safety ring for a stop mechanism of a knitting machine has an electrically conductive bar arranged in a circle passing through several electrically insulating rings. Each insulating ring has a stiff wire connected to it and clamped to the frame of a knitting machine. The bar is grounded, and forms a portion of an electrical circuit which when closed will stop the associated knitting machine.

Abstract: A control device for a textile machine, in particular for a knitting machine having at least one yarn feeding device, with each yarn feeding device being provided with two stop-motion devices each respectively having an electrical stop-motion switch associated therewith. The stop-motion switches of the yarn feeding device are connected to a rectifier circuit such that the two stop-motion switches of the yarn feeding device are supplied with voltage half-waves of different polarity. A control unit is provided which is common to all stop-motion switches and which is capable of surpressing voltage half-waves of one polarity in order to neutralize the stop-motion switch supplied with the voltage halfwaves of said one polarity with reference to a relay which stops the mechanical drive of the textile machine.

Abstract: An electrical supervisory circuit arrangement, as for detecting faults such as yarn breakage in a circular knitting machine, comprises a number of channels each responsive to a particular type of fault signal in the machine. Each channel comprises a bistable transistor circuit which is switched in response to the particular fault condition to be detected and, when so switched, energises a warning light. In addition, all the bistable circuits are connected in common to an output transistor which is thus switched when any of the bistable circuits detects a fault. The output transistor controls two relays, one of which disconnects the forward-current supply to the machine and the other of which temporarily provides a reverse-current supply for braking the motor.

Abstract: A sensing lever, preferably a double-arm lever, is journalled over a fulcrum; one arm is engaged by the thread to be supervised, and further connected to operate an electrical switch; the other arm is subject to electromagnetic force derived from an interrupted, pulsed electromagnet. Pulsed operation of the electromagnet can be obtained by a signal derived from the switch of the lever itself, or from an extraneous source; upon attraction by the magnet, the contacts are opened; during a pulse gap, the thread tension depresses the lever, thus closing the contacts; the lever will, therefore, continuously vibrate and presence of an a-c signal across the switches will be indicative of: (a) presence of thread; (b) thread tension below a predetermined limit (excessive tension would overcome the pulsed reset force of the electromagnet); and (c) proper operation (jamming of the lever would likewise result in a d-c output from the switch).