Abstract: An automated braiding machine for applying a braided cover to an elongate structure includes a barrel through which the elongate structure passes and a bobbin orbiting assembly configured to orbit a plurality of bobbins around the barrel. Each of the bobbins unwinds a corresponding thread having a portion extending between a rim of the barrel and the elongate structure. A first robotic arm assembly is configured to pull the elongate structure in a longitudinal direction thereof. A speed at which the elongate structure is pulled in the longitudinal direction thereof is dependent on a measured angle of one of the portions of the thread relative to a plane defined by the rim of the barrel.

Abstract: A Powered Lower Bobbin Feed (“PLBF”) system is disclosed for improving the operation of deflector type rotary braiding machines, such as the Wardwell Rapid Braider. The PLBF eliminates or reduces the impulsive tension spikes set up by the deflection and feed process in current rotary braiding machines by uniquely controlling the lower bobbin filament feed. These tension spikes result from: the rapid rotational acceleration and deceleration required of the lower bobbin as a result of the feed process; the lever arm tension control and bobbin ratchet mechanism; and the shape of the filament deflector surface. Such failure limits the operating speed of rotary braiding machines, the minimum size of filament that can be braided effectively, or the ability to maintain the quality of the braid produced. By eliminating or reducing these spikes, the PLBF therefore can increase the working speed of circular braiding machines and improve the uniformity of braided filaments generated by such machines at a given speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a braider (1) comprising a device for controlling the thread lever (10). Said braider is formed by a curved path (30) that is closed in a circular ring-shaped manner, a sliding block (31) appurtenant thereto and a reverse gear (20) by means of which the direction of rotation of the drive motor is reversed in such a way that the group of the upper delivery bobbins and the group of the lower delivery bobbins rotate in opposing directions. The aim of the invention is to enable such a braider (1) to have a higher ceiling speed.

Abstract: A braiding-machine strand-guide arm has an outer end provided with a strand guide and an inner end formed as a pivot eye. The arm further has a body formed of spaced-apart outer layers of a hard material and a very low-density mass between the outer layers. The outer layers are formed of a plastic laminate reinforced with fibers of carbon, glass, boron, or metal. Whisker fibers can also be used as reinforcement. Preferably the laminate includes textile reinforcement. Alternately the hard material of the shell of the arm can be made of cast metal. The low-density mass is normally a solid material. It is a foamed plastic, typically a light polyurethane foam.

Abstract: An improvement in internal cam rotary braiding machines wherein each lower carrier member thereof includes a plurality of oppositely disposed movably mounted and fixedly mounted pulleys used to convey a strand of material from a supply bobbin upwardly to the upper carrier members thereof, the pulleys being arranged to reduce the unwanted stresses which are normally imposed on the strand as it is conveyed upwardly over a deflector member and thence as it drops off the trailing edge of the deflector. Further structural improvements are made with respect to the spindle assembly used for the supply bobbin to reduce the normal movement, or "play," of the spindle assembly components during operation and, hence, to reduce further undesired stresses on the strand.

Abstract: The circular braiding machine includes an inner and outer group of spools (31,38) arranged on a circular track coaxial with a rotation axis (1); a drive device (9-11, 17, 29, 42-45) for rotating the groups in opposite directions (r,s) around the circular track; strand guide members (48) for guiding strands (37) from one of the groups at a location between that group and a braiding point (35) so as to braid the strands, these strand guide members (48) being mounted to reciprocate along guideways (78) while keeping a constant distance from the braiding point (35); and a device for reciprocating the strand guide members (48) along the guideways (78), which operates synchronously with the drive device and which includes pivotally connected levers (73,77) for coupling the at least one strand guide member with the drive device, at least one rotatable crank device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circular braiding machine with two groups of spools (31, 38) circulating about an axis of rotation (1) on a circular path in opposite directions of rotation, the spools carrying strands (32, 37) for braiding a braided material (36) at a braiding point (35). In order to cross the strands (32, 37) in the manner characteristic of the braid (e.g. "2 over-2 under") there serve strand guide members (48) which are mounted to reciprocate on guide tracks (49) arranged substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation (1), as well as levers (50) which are arranged substantially in the extensions of the guide tracks (49) and are articulated in the manner of connecting rods at one end to the strand guide members (48) and at the other end to rotating crank levers (52).

Abstract: A fabric forming device including a stationary yarn supply and a rotating yarn supply, each delivering yarn to a common point along a vertical axis where they are interlaced. The stationary yarn supply includes a plurality of yarn carrying cones which are arranged along a common horizontal plane about the vertical axis. The rotating yarn supply includes a plurality of yarn spools mounted with a rotating plate about the vertical axis. A plurality of vertically moveable guide members which are adapted to engage with the yarns of the rotating yarn supply act to selectively alter the horizontal path along which the yarns travel. The guide members act to control the yarns of the rotating yarn supply to be selectively positioned to pass above or below the cones carrying the stationary yarns so that the yarns interlace in a desired manner.

Abstract: A braiding machine comprises an annular rotor (27, 28) provided with a plurality of radially extending peripheral slots (29) between which are provided mechanisms (30) mounting first supply spools (31) on the rotor (27, 28), pivotable arm members (32) are mounted on the rotor (27, 28) for moving the strands from the spools (31) into and out of the slots (29), a plurality of carrier members (39) are mounted on the rotor for movement about the axis of the rotor (27, 28) and each carrier member (39) is provided with a second spool (44), drive (41, 42, 16) are provided for moving each carrier member (39) in the opposite direction of rotation to that of the rotor (27, 28) and at the same rotational speed, the drive (41, 42, 16) including bevel gears (42) mounted on the rotor (27, 28), a toothed rack (41) provided on each carrier member (39) in engagement with the bevel gears ( 42) and an annular driving gear (16) in engagement with the bevel gears (42), some of the bevel gears (42) being connected to a further gea

Abstract: A braiding machine having inner and outer tables mounted for counter-rotation about a vertical axis, a stationary, standing rib cam positioned beneath the outer table, a strand guide arm supported on the outer table and having a guide eye that travels in an arcuate path in which all points in the path are equidistant from the strand braid point and connecting and driving elements operably joining the rib cam and the guide eye arm to effect positive arcuate movement of the guide arm.

Abstract: A mechanism for timing strand movement relative to rotation of holders or carriers for strand supply spools or bobbins, being rotated in opposite directions by the drive mechanism of a braiding machine. The drive mechanism is mounted around a stationary shaft extending from a frame member. The mechanism includes an adjustable actuator means carried by the frame member radially of the stationary shaft and housng a selectively rotatable control shaft carrying a first sprocket. A second sprocket connected to the first sprocket by a chain means is connected to a journal sleeve around the stationary shaft. The journal sleeve carries a circular control element. The control element carries either a series of passive deflector cam plates for yarn strands or a cam track for a series of positive wire strand guiding mechanisms. There is also an improved drive mechanism for a braiding machine having a rotating table for carrying a set of outer spool holders.

Abstract: Fast-moving eyelet guide for use on a braiding machine, such as a Wardwell braiding machine having a lower carrier mounting track with a plurality of carriers movable along the track. Each carrier holds a spool of strands with a guide clamped onto the carrier. The guide includes a pair of spaced parallel guide rods with a very lightweight spool-shaped eyelet mounted for free movement up and down while remaining captured between these parallel rods. The strands are threaded through and carried by the eyelet, and thus the strands are controlled by the eyelet and are kept closely together as a controlled group during their up and down movement along the parallel guide rods which avoids separation of the strands, thereby dramatically limiting the incidence of breakage of the strands.

Abstract: Apparatus for rotating a set of braiding machine front strand carriers around the front side of a first table carrying a set of contra-rotating rear strand carriers on the rear side. Strands from the rear carriers pass through arcuate slots in the first table. A second table is in front of the first table. The tables rotate in opposite directions. The apparatus of the invention has a shuttle for mounting each front carrier, with an arcuate slide tang having a length less than the distance between any two first table slots and carrying a radially inner drive block with two actuator slots. A circular shuttle mounting track carried on the first table front side has inner and outer roller segments between any two first table slots engaging the shuttle slide tangs. A circular actuator cam track carried on the first table has a set of inwardly directed V's with an apex inwardly of an inner end of each table slot. A set of shuttle drive assemblies is mounted on the rear side of the second table.

Abstract: Apparatus for the control of relative strand movement, without significantly affecting or altering strand tension, on a braiding machine with two sets of carriers for a strand supply bobbin being rotated in opposite directions and being generally axially aligned, as a set of front and rear strand carriers and supply bobbins. A set of rear strands pass through peripheral and radially arcuate slots in a carrier mounting table and are guided prior to movement into the slot by a set of cam actuated swing arms movable in a common plane perpendicular to the machine axis. The rear strands move through an arc segment relative to the machine axis for interweaving with a set of front strands. The interwoven rear and front strands are led to a circular ring at the front of the machine having an effective diameter coincident with the rotational axis of the front bobbins. The interwoven strands are then pulled from the machine to a "work center" for tight braiding around a core or mandrel.

Abstract: Braided stranded rope forming machine comprising a series of spools moving along a circular path and a series of stationary spools that can be mounted also at a distance from the machine. The movable spools are mounted on carriages which through a gearing unit are operated by the same vertical axis controlling the thread guide devices associated with the stationary spools.

Abstract: In a rotary braiding machine, a sleeve having a rounded forward portion is mounted on a stationary guide cylinder located on the center axis of the machine. The sleeve is driven reciprocatingly in the axial direction by a push rod which is coupled throgh a gear reduction mechanism to the ring gear of the machine so that the reciprocation of the sleeve is in timed relation with the rotation of the machine. The yarn or wire strand is supplied from two sets of bobbins which are driven along circular paths in opposing directions. When the reciprocating sleeve is in its retracted or rearward position, crossed strands from the bobbins approach the forward edge of the stationary guide cylinder. As the crossed strands reach the stationary guide cylinder, the reciprocating sleeve moves to its forward position lifting the strands away from the forward edge of the stationary guide cylinder. The rate of reciprocation of the sleeve is preferably in time with the crossings.

Abstract: A braiding machine which has higher speeds of operation, versatile material handling characteristics and is able to handle larger lengths of strands between reloads. Inside and outside sets of a plurality, e.g., eight, of circumferentially spaced bobbins are mounted in axially spaced relationship for rotation in opposite directions on a common axis. The carriers for the inside bobbins are also circumferentially spaced and mounted on slotted plates rotatable in the same direction as the outside bobbins. These carriers alternately bridge and clear the slots. An eyelet for each of the outside bobbins rotates in the same direction as the plates and the outside bobbins and synchronously move into and out of the slots to carry the strands from the outside bobbins between, under, between and over adjacent inside bobbins as the supports rotate.

Abstract: A machine for braiding filaments around a common axis including: two coaxial annular arrays of filament bobbins; there are filament guides for the radially outer array which alternately move their filaments radially inwardly of and then radially outwardly of the alternate ones of the radially inner array of bobbins; the motion of the filament guides is coordinated with the positions of the inner array of bobbins; one embodiment of the improvement relates to the filaments from the outer array of bobbins being maintained at a constant tension, without tensioning compensation means being required, as the filament guides shift the filaments from the outer array alternately radially inwardly and radially outwardly of the radially inner array of bobbins; in the other embodiment, the support for the braiding machine carries deflectors for deflecting the outer array bobbin filaments radially inwardly or outwardly, and the deflectors are adjustably positionable around the periphery of the inner bobbin array for enabli

Abstract: A braiding machine of the type which includes a carrier for a bobbin, a pair of spaced apart tracks for guiding the carrier along a closed sinuous path, driving means for imparting driving movement to the carrier along said sinuous path and guiding means for guiding the yarn as it is pulled from the spindle of the carrier and characterized in that said guiding means includes a track follower carried by the carrier and accommodated within one of said tracks and a yarn guiding passage through the track follower for receiving the yarn on one side of the track, guiding it through the track within said track follower and discharging it on the opposite side of the track.

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 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.