Title of Invention

A TOP ARM ASSEMBLY FOR TEXTILE SPINNING MACHINE

Abstract

ABSTRACT : This invention relates to a top arm assembly for a textile spinning machine. The top arm has independent loading and looking means. The loading lever has a plunger type pressure thumb connected to one end. The token end of the lever is connected to load distributing means such as rollers Locking means has a locking lever actuated by a fixed cam. Both the loading means and locking means are mounted in a support frame.

Full Text

This invention relates to a top arm assembly for textile spinning machine having independent locking and loading means. Textile spinning machines such as roving or ring spinning machines have a set of bottom rollers arranged in the spinning zone. A top arm having a similar set of rollers '>!> provided at each location of the bottom rollers. The rollers of the top arm press against the corresponding bottom rollers when loaded thereby forming a drafting zone for the sliver or roving input. Drafting of the sliver or roving is influenced by the load of the top arm rollers on the bottom rollers. Conventional top arm has locking means for keeping the arm rigid in the loaded condition. In conventional top arms locking and loading are effected by a thumb means which is pneumatically actuated. Loading and locking means in the known top arm arrangement consists of a thumb actuated by pneumatic means having a cam joint to the handle of the top arm. The thumb transmits its load to the handle and when the handle is locked with the top arm, the load is transmitted to the top arm for pressing the top arm rollers against the corresponding bottom rollers. The top arm and the thumb are fulcrumed on a fixed bracket to enable the above loading. Since both these functions are effected by the same means, functional variation of one factor may result in manufacturing defects. For instance, defective looking would result in the variation of top roller load on the corresponding bottom rollers. Any manufacturing defect in any of the contributing components such as thumb, handle, load arm or fixed bracket may cause defective locking. It is also observed that roller diameter varies due to wear and tear leading to ineffective looking between the two sets of rollers. Yet another drawback noticed in the existing system is that any small variation of the components reflects considerably on effective loading. This is attributed to the relatively short distance between the levering elements such as the thumb and the handle or the handle and its fulcrum. These drawbacks of the existing system can be avoided by providing separate locking and loading mechanism in the top arm assembly. Separating the loading function from the looking function also increases the distance of pivoting point with respect to both the loading and distribution points. This helps in considerably reduction in load variations. The top arm assembly for a textile spinning machine having independent locking and loading means according to this invention comprises a support frame provided with a loading lever pivoted thereto, one end of said loading lever is connected to loading means, and the other end to load distribution means, and a locking means consisting of a locking lever movably connected to a locking cam fixedly mounted on said support frame. Our co-pending application no. 789/MAS/99 dated 3 August 1999 describes and claims a top arm assembly for textile machine having modular loading means. The top arm assembly of this invention and the mode of operating the same will now be described with reference to the figure in the accompanying drawing sheet. This figure shows the top arm assembly in the loaded and locked position loading lever is shown by reference numeral 1 and is pivoted on to a support frame indicated by reference numeral 2 at anyone of the multiple pivoting points shown by numeral 3. The support frame may consist of a top setting bracket and a bottom setting bracket, which are not shown in the drawings. One end of the loading lever is connected to load distributors shown by reference numeral 4. Load distributors are provided with a set of top rollers. The other end is connected to a loading means. A specific embodiment of the loading means is a linear moving plunger type pressure thumb shown by reference numeral 5. Loading is effected pneumatically by inflated pressure hose 6 connected to the plunger. Bearing 7 fixed to a guide tube 8 in the plunger housing enables linear movement of the pressure thumb. The loading point between the pressure thumb and the loading lever is provided with wear pad rolling mechanism. The wear pad 9 is fixed to the pressure thumb while the freely rotating roller 10 of the mechanism is fixed to the loading lever to ensure smooth contact at a defined point. Reference numeral 11 indicates a pressure ledge in which the pressure thumb is rigidly positioned. The pressure ledge 11 and the pressure thumb is positioned inside the guide tube. This avoids variation due to tilting of the pressure ledge. In the loaded condition, the pressure ledge does not establish any contact with the pressure tube while when the pressure hose is deflated, the pressure thumb does not fully rest on the pressure tube for ensuring the orientation and positioning of the pressure ledge. The locking means of the assembly is also mounted on the support frame 2. The locking lever is indicated by reference numeral 14. The support frame is pivoted with setting piece 12 which engages the locking lever 14 and the fixed cam 13. When the locking lever engages with the fixed locking cam it locks the supporting frame in position. The top arm assembly may be kept in the upright position by disengaging the locking lever and positioning it on top of the fixed cam. The top and the bottom brackets may be engaged or disengaged by operation of the locking and loading levers. Though this invention has been described hereinabove with respect to a specific embodiment, obvious equivalents known to persons skilled in the art are not excluded therefrom. WE CLAIM : 1. A top arm assembly for textile spinning machine having independent locking and loading means comprising a support frame (2) provided with a loading lever (1) pivoted thereto, one end of said loading lever is connected to loading means (5 11) and the other end to load distribution means (4), and a locking means consisting of a locking lever (14) movably connected to a locking cam (13) fixedly mounted on said support frame. 2. The top arm assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple pivot points are provided on said support frame for pivoting the loading lever. 3. The top arm assembly as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the load distribution means are provided with rollers. 4. The top arm assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein said loading means is a pneumatically actuated linear moving plunger type pressure thumb. 5. The top arm assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said loading means is provided with a wear pad mounted at the top position. 6. The top arm assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein freely rotatable roller is provided on said loading lever, to engage the wear pad when loaded and to disengage when unloaded. 7. The top arm assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein inflatable hose is pro\'ided to actuate and deactuate the pressure thumb pneumatically. 8. The top arm assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein plunger type pressure thumb is housed in a guide bearing fixed on to a guide tube. 9. The top arm assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said pressure thumb is fixedly mounted on a pressure ledge. 10. The top arm assembly as claimed in claim 1 to 8, wherein said support frame consists of a top and bottom setting brackets and the fixed cam assembly of said locking means is provided on said top bracket. 11. A top arm assembly for textile spinning machine having independent locking and loading means substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the figure in the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

0788-mas-1999 abstract-duplicate.pdf

0788-mas-1999 abstract.pdf

0788-mas-1999 claims-duplicate.pdf

0788-mas-1999 claims.pdf

0788-mas-1999 correspondence-others.pdf

0788-mas-1999 correspondence-po.pdf

0788-mas-1999 description(complete)-duplicate.pdf

0788-mas-1999 description(complete).pdf

0788-mas-1999 drawings-duplicate.pdf

0788-mas-1999 drawings.pdf

0788-mas-1999 form-1.pdf

0788-mas-1999 form-19.pdf

0788-mas-1999 form-3.pdf

0788-mas-1999 pct.pdf

0788-mas-1999 petition.pdf