Title of Invention	THREAD CONTROL DEVICE
Abstract	A thread control device for controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread (4, 4a, 4b), in particular of a warp thread of a weaving machine, having at least one lifting device (34, 36, 154), which is capable of being driven in an oscillating fashion, having at least one driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) for the thread, having at least one control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) which is capable of being actuated by means of an actuator (58,60,106,130,132,160, 160a, 178, 178a, 178b, 202, 202a) to bring the thread into engagement with the driver, characterized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) is arranged independently of the lifting device (34) for the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144), such that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) is adapted to move the thread (4, 4a, 4b) directly towards and away from the driver (42,82,110,112,142,144) in an oscillating fashion by a switchin6 amplitude (S).

Title of Invention

THREAD CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

A thread control device for controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread (4, 4a, 4b), in particular of a warp thread of a weaving machine, having at least one lifting device (34, 36, 154), which is capable of being driven in an oscillating fashion, having at least one driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) for the thread, having at least one control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) which is capable of being actuated by means of an actuator (58,60,106,130,132,160, 160a, 178, 178a, 178b, 202, 202a) to bring the thread into engagement with the driver, characterized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) is arranged independently of the lifting device (34) for the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144), such that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) is adapted to move the thread (4, 4a, 4b) directly towards and away from the driver (42,82,110,112,142,144) in an oscillating fashion by a switchin6 amplitude (S).

Full Text	The innovation relates to a thread control device for optionally controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread in accordance with the preamble of Claim 1. Prior art: There are many known thread control devices, particularly in shedding mechanisms, for optionally controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread. In a first type of such thread control devices, the threads are controlled indirectly, the thread being moved only when it is selected. For this purpose, threads are firmly drawn into eyelets of healds and guided, the healds being moved in a programmed fashion via connecting means with the aid of upstream jacguard machines, heald looms and treading machines. It is easy to establish in this case that selective movement of the thread requires a multiplicity of components and a large stroke for them, and this necessarily has a very negative influence in many regards. Thus, in particular, the speed of the shedding mechanism is very limited because of the high mass forces. Further marked disadvantages of the known thread control devices are, for example, a high wear level, strong vibration, loud noise, a large space requirement because of the complicated devices, and poor ergonomics and the like. Finally, they are also rela¬tively expensive, because of the complicated design. A second type of such thread control devices is disclosed in WO 97/11215. This thread control device has a lifting device, which can be driven in an oscillating fashion, having at least one driver for the thread, as well as at least one control means which can be actuated by means of an actuator in order to bring the thread selectively into engagement with the driver of the lifting device. These control means are arranged, assigned directly to the driver, on the lifting device and are moved to go up and down with the latter. This results in various disadvantages. Since the lifting device must contain not only the driver but, in particu¬lar, also the control means and the actuator, it has a relatively large voliome. This thread control device is little suited to a weaving machine with a high warp count. Moreover, the moving parts are of relatively large mass and must, in addition, be moved over the entire stroke of the lifting device. The co-movement of the actuator further requires a moving interface with the supply of power and program data, which is relatively complicated, expensive and prone to wear. A thread has to be drawn in very carefully, in order to prevent parts from being bent, and thus a functional failure associated with corresponding repair costs. Despite good acces¬sibility, it is time consuming and costly to draw in a thread. Finally, because of the relatively high mass forces and the sensitivity of the electronic system integrated into the moving parts, such a thread control device can be operated only at a relatively low speed. Summary of the innovation It is the object of the innovation further to improve a thread control device of the type mentioned at the beginning. The object set is achieved according to the innovation by the characterizing features of Claim 1. By virtue of the fact that the control means are arranged independently of the driver and thus of the lifting device, the lifting device is relieved of mass and sensitive control elements and can be configured exclusively in accordance with optimal points of view for the lifting movement. The control means, by contrast, are arranged virtually fixed, that is to say they must not also execute the lifting movement of the lifting device, but can be exclusively limited and concentrated on execu¬ting the switching variable for the purpose of laying in and removing the thread at the driver in an oscillating fashion. The fixed arrangement also permits drive energy and control signals to be fed in a simple way indepen¬dently of wear, as well as permitting a large degree of flexibility in the control possibilities. Further deci¬sive advantages result from this such as, on the one hand, smaller drive motors for the lifting device and, on the other hand, smaller actuators for the control means, a lesser energy requirement for the drive means, and thus not only a more cost effective production but also a more cost effective operation despite higher power. This also leads to less development of heat, which finally also has the effect of simplifying and lowering the cost of air conditioning for the operating rooms in which such devices are set up. Furthermore, such a device is also easier to access, and this facilitates laying in the thread. This is supported further by the insensitivity of the components. The use of a novel thread control device in a shedding mechanism for warp thread control in a weaving machine provides substantial advantages there of the type men¬tioned above. The substantially lower number, in particular, also of the moving components, and thus a reduction in the moving masses permits higher drive speeds and thus higher production performances, it being the case, nevertheless, that there is a large reduction in wear and in the emission of noise and vibration by comparison with conventional thread control devices, in particular shedding mechanisms of a weaving machine. The innovation opens up the possibility of operating the thread control device, in particular the shedding mechanism, and thus also the connected weaving machine at very high speeds, for example of 5000 revolutions per minute and more. The elimination of the otherwise customary upstream control devices and of the various connecting elements otherwise required results in further substantial advan¬tages. The fact that a weaving machine equipped with the thread control device according to the innovation requires no built-on accessories for upstream shedding mechanisms such as jacquard machines, produces for the weaving machines a large saving in space requirement over the weaving machine, and thus an improvement in the supervision and accessibility of the entire weaving machine, the result being an ergonomically important improvement in the supervision and handling, and thus in the workplace at a thread control device, in particular a shedding mechanism. The work of adjustment and mainten¬ance can therefore be performed more easily, and the risk of accident is likewise reduced. The production and maintenance costs of the novel thread control device are low because of the low number of the components, which are relatively simple, into the bar¬gain. Advantageous embodiments of the thread control device are described in Claims 2 to 27. There are various possibilities for constructing the control means. Thus, the said possibilities can consist, however, in providing an electric pulse to the threads to be controlled in order to defect the latter towards the driver by the switching variable. However, such a con¬struction is possible only if the thread reacts to a current pulse. An embodiment according to Claim 2 is more advantageous, since a control slot ensures self-closed driving of the thread by the switching variable, which is also independent of the property of the thread. A development according to Claim 3 is expedient in order to permit guidance along the entire transverse movement or the stroke of the thread. The lamella-like construction of the control means accor¬ding to Claim 4 produces a particularly space-saving design, which improves its use, in particular concerning the warp thread control of a weaving machine. In this case, the control means can be developed according to Claim 5 or 6. In accordance with Claim 7, the driver can be effective over the entire transverse movement of the thread. However, an embodiment according to Claim 8 is more advantageous, providing not only a reduction in the stroke path of a driver, but also an improvement in the control possibilities. Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the thread control device according to Claim 9, according to which the driver has a driver hook, effective only in one direction of movement, for self-closed driving of the thread. In the other direction of movement, the return preferably proceeds in a force-closed fashion, it being possible for the residual stress of the thread to be sufficient. If appropriate, further additional tensioning devices can be present. In specific cases, it is possible for the thread control device to be constructed according to Claim 10 and to have a driver which permits self-closed driving in both directions of movement of the thread. There are numerous possibilities for constructing and arranging the driver, those of Claims 11 to 13 being particularly preferred. They are also given as possibilities for constructing the actuator, a few which are particularly preferred being specified in Claims 14 to 16. In this case, the actuator in accordance with Claim 17 can be activated in a drive direction, and can be returned in the other direction by means of a spring• In accordance with Claim 18, the control means can be arranged to be capable of being pivoted by the switching variable, it preferably being possible for this arrange¬ment to be made on a support rail. Claims 19 and 20 describe advantageous designs of the pivotable control means. However, an embodiment of the thread control device according to Claim 21 is particularly preferred. The control element which can be displaced going to and fro in its longitudinal direction permits numerous variants in terms of arrangement and drive. Thus for example, in accordance with Claim 22, the actuator can be arranged at the lower end of the control element. It is also possible to design the device according to Claim 23. Such a thread control device resembles the existing jacquard device, it being the case, however, that the actuator now does not have to execute the entire stroke path, but only a part corresponding to the switching variable, with the result that the device can be constructed in a substantially simpler and smaller way by contrast with the jacquard device, and that only a smaller amovmt of energy is required to surmount the switching path by comparison with the existing jacquard devices. The embodiment according to Claim 24 permits a particu¬larly simple and particularly compact design. According to Claim 25, it is expedient for the driver to be arranged on a lifting rail of a lifting device. The thread control device is suitable for the most varied applications and so, for example, for optionally presenting a weft thread insertion member with weft threads of different colours and qualities for gripping. However, it is particularly advantageous if the thread control device in accordance with Claim 26 is a component of a shedding mechanism of a weaving machine, a multi¬plicity of the thread control devices being present for controlling the warp threads of the weaving machine. A dedicated actuator can be present for each control element in order to achieve the greatest possible multi¬plicity of control possibilities. The design according to Claim 27 can also be advantageous for simpler cases. Brief description of the drawings Exemplary embodiments of the thread control device according to the innovation are described in more detail below with the aid of diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figures 4 to 2 0 Figure 21 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 24 shows a first thread control device in the shedding mechanism of a weaving machine, in side view; shows the thread control device of Figure 1 on a larger scale; shows the thread control device of Figure 2 in the section III-III of Figure 2; show a diagram of the movement of the thread control device of Figures 1 to 3 in various control phases in accordance with Figures 5 to 20, the drivers being represented in an open fashion in Figures 5 to 20, that is to say for the purpose of better understanding, the part of the control means situated in the foreground has been omitted; shows the thread control device of Figures 1 to 20, working from the basic position into a high position; shows a third thread control device having a piezoelectric control; shows a fourth control device having a control element and two drivers, working from a middle basic position; shows a fifth thread control device having a control element, oscillating in the longitudinal direction, compri¬sing two lamellae and assigned drivers; Figure 25 shows the thread control device in sec¬tion XXV-XXV of Figure 24, on a larger scale; Figure 26 shows a sixth thread control device similar to Figures 24 and 25, but having a control element comprising three lamellae and assigned drivers; Figure 27 shows the thread control device of Figure 26 in section XXVII-XXVII, on a larger scale; Figure 2 8 shows a seventh thread control device similar to Figures 24 to 27 and having an actuator, in a diagrammatic repre¬sentation; Figures 29 to 33 show various control phases of the thread control device of Figures 24 to 28; Figure 34 shows the movement diagram for the movement phases of Figures 2 9 to 33; Figure 3 5 shows the thread control device of Figures 24 to 3 3 in the shedding mech¬anism of a weaving machine in the open shed position; Figure 3 6 shows the shedding mechanism of Figure 35 in closed shed position; Figure 37 shows a weaving machine having a thread control device in accordance with Figures 35 and 36 and having individual repeat control, in a view onto the front side; Figure 3 8 shows a further weaving machine having thread control devices in accordance with Figures 35 and 36, the actuators driving a plurality of control elements in terms of repeat; Figure 3 9 shows an eighth thread control device similar to Figures 24 to 27 and having Figure 40 Figure 41 Figure 42 Figure 43 Figure 44 Figure 45 Figure 46 Figure 47 Figure 48 a modified actuator in a shedding mech¬anism in open shed position; shows the shedding mechanism of Figure 3 9 in closed shed position; shows the actuator of the shedding mechanism of Figures 39 and 40, con¬structed as a pneumatic piston/cylinder unit; shows the actuator of the shedding mechanism of Figures 3 9 and 40, designed as an electromagnet; shows a ninth shedding mechanism having thread control devices similar to Figures 24 to 27, having modified actuators; shows the actuators of the shedding mechanism of Figure 43, on a larger scale; shows the actuators of Figures 43 and 44 in a modified form in the section XXXXV-XXXXV of Figure 47, in high position; shows the actuators of Figure 45 in low position; shows the arrangement of the control elements of Figures 45 and 46, in plan view; and shows a weaving machine having thread control devices in accordance with Figures 3 8 to 47 and direct drive of the control elements, in a view onto the front side. Ways of implementing the innovation Figure 1 shows the diagrammatic design of a weaving machine. Warp threads 4 are drawn off from a warp beam 2 and run via a tensioning device 6 to a first warp guide 8, and further to a second warp guide 10, between which warp feelers 12 are arranged. From the second warp guide 10, the warp threads 4 run via a plurality of thread control devices 14, which are combined to form a shedding mechanism 13 and open the warp threads 4 to form a weaving shed 16, to a weaving station 18 at which weft threads 20 are inserted into the open weaving shed 16 and beaten at a fell 24 by means of a weaving reed 22. The woven web 26 thus produced is guided via the fabric guide 2 8 of a drawing-off device 3 0 to a fabric roller 32 and wound on there. The shedding mechanism 13 is formed from individual thread control devices 14 represented in detail in Figures 2 and 3, and includes a lifting device 34 having a lifting rail 3 6 which can be moved up and down, for example via a connecting rod 38 by a driven eccentric 40. Lined up on the lifting rail 36 are drivers 42 which are constructed like lamellae and have on mutually averted sides spring tongues 44 at whose free ends there is arranged in each case a drive hook 46, 48 for gripping one warp thread 4a, 4b each. Each driver hook is provided at the free end with a run-on guide 50, in order to facilitate engagement of the warp thread. Positioned upstream of the driver hooks 46, 48 is a thread rejector 52 whose purpose is to prevent undesired engagement of warp threads on the driver hook 46, 48. For each driver hook 46, 48, each driver 42 is assigned control elements 54, 56 which can be controlled by means of an actuator 58, 60 in order to bring an assigned warp thread 4a, 4b into engagement with the driver hook 46, 48 of the driver. The actuators 58, 60 are connected via a line 62 to a control device 64 which the actuators control in terms of pattern in accordance with the web to be produced, doing so in a way which, although not represented in more detail, is known. Each control element 54, 56 comprises two control lamellae 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b, respectively, which enclose the driver 42 between them. The control elements 54, 56 and/or their control lamellae 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b, respectively, are mounted on a common support 66 such that they can pivot about bolts 68, the pivoting path corresponding only to the switching variable required to insert the warp thread into the driver and bring it out of it. The support 66 is lined up on a fixed support rail 70 and includes spring arms 72 which operate in each case with a stop 74 between the control lamellae 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b respectively, and pretension the latter against the actuator 58, 60. As emerges from Figures 1 and, in particular 2 to 20, the control elements include slots 76 which, in the basic position of the warp threads 4a, 4b are constructed as narrow control slots 7 8 which merge in the lifting direction into wide guide slots 80. The mode of operation of the shedding mechanism follows very clearly from Figures 1 to 20. The basic position of the warp threads is determined by the straight connection between the second warp guide 10 and the fabric guide 28. This basic position also corresponds to the high position of the warp shed from which the warp threads 4, 4a, 4b are brought selectively by the stroke H into the low position, as is to be seen from the figures. A warp thread 4, 4a, 4b is driven only if the warp thread is brought by means of the associated control element 54, 56 into engagement with the associated driver hook 46, 48 in the high position thereof (Figures 5, 9 and 17) . For this purpose, an appropriate actuator 58, 60 is activated via the control device 64, and pivots the associated control element 54, 56 against the associated driver hook 46, 48, with the result that upon the downward movement of the driver 52 the said control element is driven by the driver hook 46, 48 and brought into the low position (Figures 1, 2, 1, 11 and 19) . The warp thread is returned from the low position into the high position with the upward movement of the driver 42 primarily by the residual stress of the warp thread. The upward movement can be further supported by laying the warp thread on the lifting rail, which is arranged directly below the driver hook. The driver hook could, if appropriate, also be constructed as a double hook 48a, as is indicated by dashes in Figure 2 • The warp thread is directed out of the driver hook 46, 48 when the driver 42, and thus the warp thread 4a, 4b, has reached the basic position. The actuator 58, 60 is then switched to be inactive, as a result of which the control element 54, 56 is pivoted back, under the influence of the pre tensioning of the spring arm 72, into the basic position (Figures 13 to 16) , in which the warp threads cannot be driven by the driver 42. The driver 42 is equipped in the present example with two driver hooks 46, 48, and two control elements 54, 56 are assigned correspondingly, with the result that one driver can move two warp threads 4a, 4b selectively out of the upper shed position into the lower shed position, as shown, in particular, by the diagram in Figure 4 and the associated phase drawings of Figures 5 to 20. It is therefore necessary to arrange on a lifting rail 3 6 only half as many drivers 42 as there are warp threads present, and on a support rail 70 a number of control elements 54, 56 which corresponds to the number of the warp threads• The drivers 42 constructed like lamellae and control elements 54, 56 are configured to be corres¬pondingly thin and can, for example, be 0.1 to 0.5 mm thick. If appropriate, it may be expedient to distribute the required number of drivers 42 and control elements 54, 56 over two and more lifting rails 3 6 and support rails 70. As shown by the above embodiments, no spring returns are required with the novel shedding mechanism, and the components required to control the warp threads are reduced to a minimum because of the direct control of the warp threads, as a result of which there is a very considerable reduction in the drive forces by comparison with conventional devices. This leads, on the one hand. to a substantial saving in energy and, on the other hand, it opens up the possibility of operating such a weaving machine with a substantially higher speed of, for example, 5000 or more revolutions per minute. Figure 21 describes a thread control device 14a which corresponds essentially to that of Figures 1 to 20, the thread control device being arranged, however, not below the web prescribed by the warp threads 4a, 4b but above it, with the result that the neutral position of the warp threads corresponds to the lower shed position, and the warp threads are deflected into the upper shed position by means of the driver 42. In the shedding mechanism represented in Figure 22 and formed from thread control devices 14b, the drivers 82 are lined up on a lifting rail which forms part of a metal heald frame 84 which is moved up and down in a known way. The drivers, in turn, include driver hooks 46, 48 and projections 86, 88 which serve to support the return of the warp threads into the initial position. Assigned to the driver 82 or the driver hooks 46, 48 are control elements 90, 92 which, in turn, include a slot 76 having a control slot 78 and a guide slot 80, and are mounted pivotably on a support rail 94. Each control element has an actuating arm 96 on the side averted from the warp threads 4a, 4b. Each actuating arm 96 includes a control stop 98 and a biasing spring 100, which pretensions the control s top 9 8 agains t a switching device 102, a so-called flexural vibrator, which is at an electric potential thereto. If the switching device 102 is not activated, the control stop 98 rests on the said switching device and the control device remains in the neutral basic position. If, however, the switching device 102 is activated via a line 104 by means of the control device 64, the switching device 102 pivots into the position shown by dashes, and the switching device 90 can pivot under the influence of the biasing spring 100 and share in the movement of an actuator 106 in the form of a driven control strip which engages in a driving groove 108 at the lower end of the actuating arm 96. This driving groove 108 has a width such that it can move freely when the actuating arm 96 is stopped in the basic position by the switching device 102. With the switching device 102 activated, the biasing spring 100 pretensions the actuating arm 96 against the control strip 106, with the result that the actuating arm shares in the movement of the control strip 106, the control element 90 or 92 thereby engaging the corresponding warp thread 4a, 4b with the associated driver hook 46, 48. The control stops 98a to 98n represented by dashes in Figure 22 correspond in each case to a control element following in the sequence, which respectively cooperates in turn with a dedicated switching device (not represented). Figure 23 describes a thread control device 14c, in which a warp thread 4 is assigned two drivers 110 and 112 which move the warp thread from the neutral position of the warp threads, which corresponds to the middle shed position, into the upper shed position or into the lower shed position, respectively. The drivers 110, 112 are arranged on corresponding lifting rails 114, 116 and in each case have a driver hook 120, 122 at the end of a spring tongue 118. Assigned to the two drivers 110, 112 is a common control element 124 which is mounted pivo-tably on a support rail 126 and has on the side averted from the warp thread 4 an actuating arm 12 8 which cooperates with two actuators 13 0, 132 which act opposed to one another and pivot the control element 124 against one or other of the drivers 110, 112. The control element 124 is provided, in turn, with a slot 134 for controlling the warp thread, which is constructed in the neutral position of the warp thread 4 as a narrow control slot 13 6 which then merges both upwards and downwards into wide guide slots 138, 140. This thread control device functions similarly to the thread control device described at the beginning. Figures 24 and 25 show a further thread control device 14d having a control element 140 to which drivers 142, 144 having driver hooks 146 are assigned on each side. The drivers 142, 144 run in opposite directions and move downwards or upwards, respectively, from the middle position shown in Figure 24. The control element 140 includes a slot 148 which is constructed in the middle position as a control slot 150 and which is adjoined by guide slots 152 on both sides. The control slot 150 is arranged obliquely relatively to the longitudinal direc¬tion of the control element 140 in such a way that when the latter moves longitudinally in an oscillating fashion, the control element is moved by the switching variable S, as is represented by dashes in Figure 24. When the control element is moved from the position represented by full lines in Figure 24 into the position represented by dashes, the warp thread 4 is transferred from the driver region of the left-hand driver 142 into the driver region of the right-hand driver 144, with the result that when executing its lifting movement by means of the lifting rail 154 of the lifting device (not represented in more detail) the latter driver can be transferred from the middle position into the upper shed position. As emerges, in particular, from Figure 25, the control element 140 is constructed like a lamella and comprises the control lamellae 140a and 140b which enclose between them over a portion of their width the drivers 142, 144 which are likewise constructed like lamellae. Figures 2 6 and 27 show a thread control device 14e which corresponds to that of Figures 24 and 25, the control element having a further control lamella 140c, with the result that the drivers 142, 144 are respectively arranged between mutually separated control leunellae 140a, 140b or 140b and 140c. Consecjuently, the control lamellae can be of wider design and can have a larger degree of coverage with the control lamellae, and thus an improved guidance. In this case, the drivers 142, 144 can have a section 156 which covers the driver hook 146 and which cooperates in the manner of a double hook 146a to return the warp thread 4 from the upper or lower shed position and thus support the active control of the warp thread. In the middle shed position represented in Figure 26, the widened sections 156 of the drivers 142, 144 form a gap 158 which supports the transfer of the warp thread along the control slot 150 out of one switching position into the other switching position. Figures 28 to 33 show the further design and driving of the thread control devices 14f according to Figures 24, 25 and 26, 27, respectively, on the one hand, and different phases of the movement cycle during control of the warp thread, on the other hand. In the case of the control elements 140 shown in Figures 2 8 to 32, the control element 140 is controlled by means of an actuator 160 which is driven pneumatically and to which the control element 140 is connected via a harness cord 162 which is guided from the actuator 160 via a cord board 164 to the control element 140. The actuator serves primarily for the upward stroke, while the return move¬ment is performed by a return spring 166 which is con¬nected to the lower end of the control element 140, which end is guided by a guide 168. The movement cycle of the drivers 142, 144 is represented in the movement diagram of Figure 34. In accordance with Figure 29, the warp thread 4 is moved out of the middle shed position into the lower shed position in accordance with Figure 3 0 by means of the left-hand driver 142. From this position, it then passes again into the middle shed position in accordance with Figure 31 when the driver 142 moves back, the warp thread 4 being transferred in the right-hand driver 144 by means of the control slot 150 of the control element 140. The said driver 144 drives it into the upper shed position in accordance with Figure 32, from which it then passes again into the middle shed position in accordance with Figure 3 3 by means of the right-hand driver 144. Figures 3 5 and 3 6 show the arrangement of a plurality of thread control devices 14f in accordance with Figures 2 8 to 33 in a shedding mechanism 17 0 of a weaving machine, it being possible for such thread control devices to be arranged both in a row one behind another and in a plurality of rows next to one another, depending on the count of the web 26 to be produced or on the count of the warp threads 4a, 4b to be controlled. Figure 3 5 shows the shedding mechanism in open shed position, the weft thread 2 0 being inserted into the weaving shed 16 and then beaten at the fell 24 by means of the weaving reed 22. The shedding mechanism is represented in the closed shed position in Figure 36. Figure 37 shows the front view of a weaving machine having thread control devices 14 f in accordance with Figures 3 5 and 36 and the shedding mechanism 17 0. As emerges from Figure 37, the weaving machine includes a machine frame 172, in which the shedding mechanism 170 is arranged with the thread control devices 14d, 14e and 14 f, and which serves to control warp threads (not represented in more detail) directly in terms of repeat. Each control element 140 is pretensioned downwards via the return spring 166 and connected, via the harness cord 162, which is guided through the cord board 164, to a selecting device 174 which contains the actuators 160. Figure 3 8 shows a further weaving machine, in which an actuator 160a of the selecting device 174a and the shedding mechanism 170a simultaneously operates a plurality of control elements in accordance with a warp repeat T. Figures 3 9 to 42 show a further exemplary embodiment of a shedding mechanism 176 having thread control devices 14g which are designed according to the principle of the thread control devices 14d and 14e in Figures 24 to 27, but have modified actuators 178. For this purpose, the control elements 140 are arranged at the lower end in a guide 180 and connected via connecting elements 182 to the actuators 178, which are situated lower down. These then drive the control elements. In accordance with Figure 41, such an actuator 178a can be constructed as a pneumatic piston/cylinder unit. A piston 184 connected to the connecting element 182 is pretensioned in the low position in the cylinder 186 by means of a return spring 188. Compressed air is supplied via the feed line 190 and the piston, and thus the control element, are raised. A further example of an actuator 178b is shown in Figure 42. In this case, the actuator is constructed as an electromagnet and has in a housing 192 a coil 194 to which control current is applied via lines 196. A perma¬nent magnet 198 is arranged displaceably in the coil 194 and connected to the control element 140 via the connecting element 182. The shedding mechanism is repre¬sented in open shed position in Figure 39, and in closed shed position in Figure 40. Figures 43 and 44 show a further shedding mechanism 2 00 having thread control devices 14h according to the principle of the thread control devices of Figures 24 to 27, but with further modified actuators 2 02. For this purpose, the control elements 140 each have at the lower end a guide element 204 which is guided moving up and down in a guide 206. Lease knives 208 which move up and down and in each case cooperate with a driver part 210 on the control element 140 serve to drive the control elements. The biasing spring 212 in the guide 206 preten¬sions the control element 140, and thus the driver part 210, against the lease knife 208, with the result that the control element 140 can follow the oscillating movement of the lease knife. Arranged on the underside of the guide 206 is a control plate 214 which carries piezoelectric switching devices 216 which, in the unswitched state, ensure the free movement of the guide element 2 04, and thus of the control element, and in the switched, that is to say activated state cooperate with a shoulder 218, with the result that the driver part 210 and thus the control element 140 can no longer follow the lease knife 208. This retains the control element in one switching position, with the result that an associated warp thread 4 can no longer be passed on from one driver 142 to the other driver 144, and can thus no longer change from the low position into the high position, and vice versa. Figures 45 to 47 show a further embodiment of a thread control device 14i, which corresponds to the thread control device 14h of Figures 43 and 44, although in this case the actuators 202a have control plates 214a with two rows, situated one under another, of switching devices 216, 216a which come into use alternately viewed in the longitudinal direction of the lease knife 208. Consequently, the guide elements 2 04a differ and have shoulders 218, 218a at appropriately offset positions. This permits a high package density of the thread control devices, and thus a high porter per centimetre. The lease knives are represented in high position in Figure 45 and in low position in Figure 46, individual switching devices 216, 216a being shown in the activated, that is to say deflected state in which they cooperate with the shoulders 218, 218a of the guide elements 204a. The weaving machine represented in Figure 4 8 includes a shedding mechanism 2 00 in accordance with Figures 39 to 43 having thread control devices 14g, 14h, 14i in accor¬dance with Figures 3 9 to 47. In this case, the guide 20 6 with the actuators 202 is arranged below the weaving region 220 in the machine frame 222, with the result that the weaving region is freely accessible from the top side. In the above exemplary embodiments, the thread control devices are shown in each case in conjunction with the control of warp threads for shed formation in a weaving machine. The thread control devices can, however, also serve to control other threads for other purposes, in particular for selecting weft threads which are either fed separately from the warp threads or, in particular, similarly to the warp threads. List of reference numerals (Figures 1-20) (Figure 21) (Figure 22) (Figure 23) (Figures 24-25) (Figures 26-27) (Figures 28-36) (Figures 39-42) (Figures 43-44) (Figures 45-47) H S T 2 4 6 8 10 12 13 14 14a 14b 14c 14d 14e 14f 14g 14h 14i 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 Stroke of a thread or of a driver Switching variable Warp repeat Warp beam Warp thread Tensioning device First warp guide Second warp guide Warp feeler Shedding mechanism First thread control device Second thread control device Third thread control device Fourth thread control device Fifth thread control device Sixth thread control device Seventh thread control device Eighth thread control device Ninth thread control device Tenth thread control device Weaving shed Weaving station Weft thread Weaving reed Fell Web Fabric guide Drawing-off device Fabric roller Lifting device Lifting rail Connecting rod Eccentric Driver Spring tongue Driver hook Driver hook Q H-(D m H o rt a p. (D > o rt P> rt H- P) O O rt O O O ft o H- (D o O rr 0 P) rt O H m o rt 1^ N) p- rr H- M P) H H H H H O O O 00 O^ (Q 0 0 (D O 0 rt H O M CO rr H- 13 O O M- (D N O (D H (D O rr H-O n rr O tr H-t» a O 0) H O O H-P) n H- •d H- 00 00 I 0 O 0 rt O CO ft o rt O »d »d VOVDVOVOOOOOOOOOOO Ovrf^tOOOOOirf^tOO en o rr pi H- O o rr O S rt pi O O rr ^( O O O (-1. LJ. O rr H- O 0 O rr H- O 0 (D (D (D (D (D p) 0) (D rt B (D rt HI (D ■-J -J -J -J -J 00 en t^ K) O cn M O ft cn rt O »d en CO 0 O p) ft p) H- H aiC7^a^o^o^tJ^u^^J^u^u^L^^J^u^c^l^ > O rr P) rr O a o & H (D o o en c •d o ft o o rt H O M a (D H-O (D O O rr h O O O rt O O O 0 rr O n o rr O n o rr O H (D Jd o rr O O rt P) rt O H I O C (D H-(D P) (D M (D (D rt LJ. (D (D (D H M P) (D M M P) (D rt P) Pl (D O rt O ri 116 Lifting rail 118 Spring tongue 12 0 Driver hook 122 Driver hook 124 Control element 12 6 Support rail 128 Actuating arm 130 Actuator 132 Actuator 134 Slot 136 Control slot 138 Guide slot 140 Control element 140a Control lamella 140b Control lamella 140c Control lamella 142 Driver 144 Driver 146 Driver hook 146a Double hook 148 Slot 150 Control slot 152 Guide slot 154 Lifting rail 156 Widened section 158 Gap 160 Actuator 160a Actuator 162 Harness cord 164 Cord board 166 Return spring 16 8 Guide 170 Shedding mechanism 17 0a Shedding mechanism 172 Machine frame 174 Selecting device 174a Selecting device 176 Shedding mechanism 17 8 Actuator 17 8a Actuator 178b Actuator 180 Guide 182 Connecting element 184 Piston 186 Cylinder 188 Return spring 190 Feed line 192 Housing 194 Coil 196 Line 198 Permanent magnet 2 00 Shedding mechanism 2 02 Actuator 202a Actuator 2 04 Guide element 2 04a Guide element 2 06 Guide 208 Lease knife 210 Driver part 212 Biasing spring 214 Control plate 214a Control plate 216 Switching device 216a Switching device 218 Retaining stop 218a Retaining stop 22 0 Weaving region 222 Machine frame 1. Thread control device for optionally controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread (4, 4a, 4b), in particular of a warp thread of a weaving machine, having at least one lifting device (34, 36, 154), which can be driven in an oscillating fashion, having at least one driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) for the thread, further having at least one control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) which can be actuated by means of an actuator (58, 60, 106, 130, 132, 160, 160a, 178, 178a, 178b, 202, 202a) in order to bring the thread selectively into engagement with the driver, characterized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) is arranged independently of the lifting device (34) for the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144), all of this being such that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) moves the thread (4, 4a, 4b) selectively directly towards and away from the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) in an oscillating fashion by a switching variable (S). 2. Thread control device according to Claim 1, charac¬terized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) has a control slot (78, 136, 150) in order to move the thread (4, 4a, 4b) by the switching variable (S). 3. Thread control device according to Claim 2, charac¬terized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) has a slot (76, 134, 148) which extends over the entire transverse movement of the thread (4, 4a, 4b) and which preferably expands outside the control slot (78, 136, 150). 4. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) is constructed like a lamella and at least partially covers the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) , likewise constructed like a lamella, at the wide end. 5. Thread control device according to Claim 4, charac¬terized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) has at least two parallel lamellae (54a, 54b, 56a, 56b, 140a, 140b, 140c) which enclose the lamella-like driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) between them. 6. Thread control device according to Claim 5, charac¬terized in that the control means (140) has at least one further lamella (140c) and encloses a further driver (144). 7. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the driver (42, 82) can be moved over the entire transverse movement (H) of the thread (4, 4a, 4b). 8. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the driver (110, 142) can be moved along a first segment of the transverse movement of the thread (4) , and there is present for the remainder of the transverse movement of the thread a second driver (112, 144) which is oppositely directed with respect to the first driver, the control means (124, 140) being effective for the selective transfer of threads at the crossing point of the first and second drivers. 9. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) has a driver hook (46, 48, 120, 122, 146) for driving the thread (4, 4a, 4b) in a self-closed fashion in one direction of movement, it being possible for the thread to be returned in the other direction of movement in a force-close fashion, preferably by the residual stress of the thread. 10. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the driver (48) has a double hook (48a, 146a) for self-closed driving of the thread in both directions of movement. 11. Thread control device according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the driver hook (46, 48, 120, 122) is arranged at the end of a spring tongue (44) and has preferably one run-on guide (50) outside the driver part. 12. Thread control device according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the driver hook (42) has a thread rejector at the free end. 13. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the driver (42, 82) has two driver hooks (46, 48) which point away from one another and to which in each case a control means (54, 56, 90, 92) for laying in a thread (4, 4a, 4b) is assigned. 14. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, charac¬terized in that the actuator (106, 202) includes a piezoelectric switching device (102, 216, 216a). 15. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, charac¬terized in that the actuator (178a) is constructed as a piston/cylinder unit (184, 186) which can be actuated by a fluid and is preferably pneumatic. 16. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the actuator (178b) is constructed as an electromagnet (194, 198) . 17. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the actuator (58, 60, 106, 160, 160a, 178, 178a, 202) can be activated in one drive direction and can be returned in the other direction by means of a spring (72, 100, 166, 188, 212) . 18. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124) is constructed as a control element which can be pivoted by the switching variable (S) and is preferably arranged on a support rail (70, 94, 126). 19. Thread control device according to Claim 18, charac¬terized in that control elements (54) arranged in pairs are mounted pivotably on a common support (66) which is fastened to a support rail (70) and has a spring arm (72) which pretensions the control elements (54, 56) against the actuator (58, 60)• 20. Thread control device according to Claim 18, charac¬terized in that the control element (90, 92) mounted pivotably on a support rail (94) has a control stop (98) and a biasing spring (100) which pretensions the control stop (98) against the preferably piezoelectric switching device (102) which releases the path of the control stop (98) in the switching state and brings the control element (90, 92) into engagement with an oscillating actuator (106). 21. Thread control device according to one of Claims 2 to 17, characterized in that the control means (140) is constructed as an elongated control element which is arranged to move to and fro in its longitudinal direction, the control slot (150) extending in the control region at an angle to the displacement direction of the control element from one switching position of the thread (4) into the other switching position of the thread. 22. Thread control device according to Claim 21, charac¬terized in that the control element (140) moving to and fro in the longitudinal direction is preferably-connected at the lower end directly to the actuator (178, 178a, 178b, 202)• 23- Thread control device according to Claim 21, charac¬terized in that the control element (140) moving to and fro in the longitudinal direction is pretensioned in one direction at the lower end by means of a return spring (166), and is connected at the upper end with the actuator (160, 160a) via a connecting element (162), preferably a cord. 24. Thread control device according to Claim 21, charac¬ terized in that the control element (140) moving to and fro in the longitudinal direction cooperates with a drive element (208) , moving to and fro in the longitudinal direction of the thread control element, against which drive element the latter is pretensioned by means of a spring (212), the control element being provided with a retaining stop (218, 218a) with which a controllable switching device (216, 216a), preferably a piezoelectric switching device, can cooperate in such a way that the control element (140) follows the movement of the drive element (208) in the event of an ineffective switch¬ ing device, and is retained in a position in the event of an effective switching device (216, 216a). 25. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) is arranged on a lifting rail (36, 154) of the lifting device (34). 2 6. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 25, characterized in that it is a component of a shedding mechanism (13, 170, 170a, 176, 200) of a weaving machine, a multiplicity of the thread con- trol devices being present for controlling the warp threads of the weaving machine. 27. Thread control device according to Claim 25, charac¬ terized in that control elements combined into groups can be driven in each case by a common actuator (160a). 28. Thread control device for optionally controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Full Text

The innovation relates to a thread control device for optionally controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread in accordance with the preamble of Claim 1.
Prior art:
There are many known thread control devices, particularly in shedding mechanisms, for optionally controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread.
In a first type of such thread control devices, the threads are controlled indirectly, the thread being moved only when it is selected. For this purpose, threads are firmly drawn into eyelets of healds and guided, the healds being moved in a programmed fashion via connecting means with the aid of upstream jacguard machines, heald looms and treading machines. It is easy to establish in this case that selective movement of the thread requires a multiplicity of components and a large stroke for them, and this necessarily has a very negative influence in many regards. Thus, in particular, the speed of the shedding mechanism is very limited because of the high mass forces. Further marked disadvantages of the known thread control devices are, for example, a high wear level, strong vibration, loud noise, a large space requirement because of the complicated devices, and poor ergonomics and the like. Finally, they are also rela¬tively expensive, because of the complicated design.
A second type of such thread control devices is disclosed in WO 97/11215. This thread control device has a lifting device, which can be driven in an oscillating fashion, having at least one driver for the thread, as well as at least one control means which can be actuated by means of an actuator in order to bring the thread selectively into engagement with the driver of the

lifting device. These control means are arranged, assigned directly to the driver, on the lifting device and are moved to go up and down with the latter. This results in various disadvantages. Since the lifting device must contain not only the driver but, in particu¬lar, also the control means and the actuator, it has a relatively large voliome. This thread control device is little suited to a weaving machine with a high warp count. Moreover, the moving parts are of relatively large mass and must, in addition, be moved over the entire stroke of the lifting device. The co-movement of the actuator further requires a moving interface with the supply of power and program data, which is relatively complicated, expensive and prone to wear. A thread has to be drawn in very carefully, in order to prevent parts from being bent, and thus a functional failure associated with corresponding repair costs. Despite good acces¬sibility, it is time consuming and costly to draw in a thread. Finally, because of the relatively high mass forces and the sensitivity of the electronic system integrated into the moving parts, such a thread control device can be operated only at a relatively low speed.
Summary of the innovation
It is the object of the innovation further to improve a thread control device of the type mentioned at the beginning.
The object set is achieved according to the innovation by the characterizing features of Claim 1.
By virtue of the fact that the control means are arranged independently of the driver and thus of the lifting device, the lifting device is relieved of mass and sensitive control elements and can be configured exclusively in accordance with optimal points of view for the lifting movement. The control means, by contrast, are arranged virtually fixed, that is to say they must not

also execute the lifting movement of the lifting device, but can be exclusively limited and concentrated on execu¬ting the switching variable for the purpose of laying in and removing the thread at the driver in an oscillating fashion. The fixed arrangement also permits drive energy and control signals to be fed in a simple way indepen¬dently of wear, as well as permitting a large degree of flexibility in the control possibilities. Further deci¬sive advantages result from this such as, on the one hand, smaller drive motors for the lifting device and, on the other hand, smaller actuators for the control means, a lesser energy requirement for the drive means, and thus not only a more cost effective production but also a more cost effective operation despite higher power. This also leads to less development of heat, which finally also has the effect of simplifying and lowering the cost of air conditioning for the operating rooms in which such devices are set up. Furthermore, such a device is also easier to access, and this facilitates laying in the thread. This is supported further by the insensitivity of the components.
The use of a novel thread control device in a shedding mechanism for warp thread control in a weaving machine provides substantial advantages there of the type men¬tioned above.
The substantially lower number, in particular, also of the moving components, and thus a reduction in the moving masses permits higher drive speeds and thus higher production performances, it being the case, nevertheless, that there is a large reduction in wear and in the emission of noise and vibration by comparison with conventional thread control devices, in particular shedding mechanisms of a weaving machine. The innovation opens up the possibility of operating the thread control device, in particular the shedding mechanism, and thus also the connected weaving machine at very high speeds, for example of 5000 revolutions per minute and more.

The elimination of the otherwise customary upstream control devices and of the various connecting elements otherwise required results in further substantial advan¬tages. The fact that a weaving machine equipped with the thread control device according to the innovation requires no built-on accessories for upstream shedding mechanisms such as jacquard machines, produces for the weaving machines a large saving in space requirement over the weaving machine, and thus an improvement in the supervision and accessibility of the entire weaving machine, the result being an ergonomically important improvement in the supervision and handling, and thus in the workplace at a thread control device, in particular a shedding mechanism. The work of adjustment and mainten¬ance can therefore be performed more easily, and the risk of accident is likewise reduced.
The production and maintenance costs of the novel thread control device are low because of the low number of the components, which are relatively simple, into the bar¬gain.
Advantageous embodiments of the thread control device are described in Claims 2 to 27.
There are various possibilities for constructing the control means. Thus, the said possibilities can consist, however, in providing an electric pulse to the threads to be controlled in order to defect the latter towards the driver by the switching variable. However, such a con¬struction is possible only if the thread reacts to a current pulse. An embodiment according to Claim 2 is more advantageous, since a control slot ensures self-closed driving of the thread by the switching variable, which is also independent of the property of the thread. A development according to Claim 3 is expedient in order to permit guidance along the entire transverse movement or the stroke of the thread.

The lamella-like construction of the control means accor¬ding to Claim 4 produces a particularly space-saving design, which improves its use, in particular concerning the warp thread control of a weaving machine. In this case, the control means can be developed according to Claim 5 or 6.
In accordance with Claim 7, the driver can be effective over the entire transverse movement of the thread. However, an embodiment according to Claim 8 is more advantageous, providing not only a reduction in the stroke path of a driver, but also an improvement in the control possibilities.
Particularly preferred is an embodiment of the thread control device according to Claim 9, according to which the driver has a driver hook, effective only in one direction of movement, for self-closed driving of the thread. In the other direction of movement, the return preferably proceeds in a force-closed fashion, it being possible for the residual stress of the thread to be sufficient. If appropriate, further additional tensioning devices can be present. In specific cases, it is possible for the thread control device to be constructed according to Claim 10 and to have a driver which permits self-closed driving in both directions of movement of the thread.
There are numerous possibilities for constructing and arranging the driver, those of Claims 11 to 13 being particularly preferred.
They are also given as possibilities for constructing the actuator, a few which are particularly preferred being specified in Claims 14 to 16. In this case, the actuator in accordance with Claim 17 can be activated in a drive direction, and can be returned in the other direction by means of a spring•

In accordance with Claim 18, the control means can be arranged to be capable of being pivoted by the switching variable, it preferably being possible for this arrange¬ment to be made on a support rail. Claims 19 and 20 describe advantageous designs of the pivotable control means.
However, an embodiment of the thread control device according to Claim 21 is particularly preferred. The control element which can be displaced going to and fro in its longitudinal direction permits numerous variants in terms of arrangement and drive. Thus for example, in accordance with Claim 22, the actuator can be arranged at the lower end of the control element. It is also possible to design the device according to Claim 23. Such a thread control device resembles the existing jacquard device, it being the case, however, that the actuator now does not have to execute the entire stroke path, but only a part corresponding to the switching variable, with the result that the device can be constructed in a substantially simpler and smaller way by contrast with the jacquard device, and that only a smaller amovmt of energy is required to surmount the switching path by comparison with the existing jacquard devices.
The embodiment according to Claim 24 permits a particu¬larly simple and particularly compact design.
According to Claim 25, it is expedient for the driver to be arranged on a lifting rail of a lifting device.
The thread control device is suitable for the most varied applications and so, for example, for optionally presenting a weft thread insertion member with weft threads of different colours and qualities for gripping. However, it is particularly advantageous if the thread control device in accordance with Claim 26 is a component of a shedding mechanism of a weaving machine, a multi¬plicity of the thread control devices being present for

controlling the warp threads of the weaving machine. A dedicated actuator can be present for each control element in order to achieve the greatest possible multi¬plicity of control possibilities. The design according to Claim 27 can also be advantageous for simpler cases.
Brief description of the drawings
Exemplary embodiments of the thread control device according to the innovation are described in more detail below with the aid of diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figures 4 to 2 0
Figure 21
Figure 22
Figure 23
Figure 24

shows a first thread control device in
the shedding mechanism of a weaving
machine, in side view;
shows the thread control device of
Figure 1 on a larger scale;
shows the thread control device of
Figure 2 in the section III-III of
Figure 2;
show a diagram of the movement of the
thread control device of Figures 1 to 3
in various control phases in accordance
with Figures 5 to 20, the drivers being
represented in an open fashion in
Figures 5 to 20, that is to say for the
purpose of better understanding, the
part of the control means situated in
the foreground has been omitted;
shows the thread control device of
Figures 1 to 20, working from the basic
position into a high position;
shows a third thread control device
having a piezoelectric control;
shows a fourth control device having a
control element and two drivers,
working from a middle basic position;
shows a fifth thread control device
having a control element, oscillating

in the longitudinal direction, compri¬sing two lamellae and assigned drivers;
Figure 25 shows the thread control device in sec¬tion XXV-XXV of Figure 24, on a larger scale;
Figure 26 shows a sixth thread control device
similar to Figures 24 and 25, but having a control element comprising three lamellae and assigned drivers;
Figure 27 shows the thread control device of
Figure 26 in section XXVII-XXVII, on a larger scale;
Figure 2 8 shows a seventh thread control device
similar to Figures 24 to 27 and having an actuator, in a diagrammatic repre¬sentation;
Figures 29 to 33 show various control phases of the
thread control device of Figures 24 to 28;
Figure 34 shows the movement diagram for the
movement phases of Figures 2 9 to 33;
Figure 3 5 shows the thread control device of
Figures 24 to 3 3 in the shedding mech¬anism of a weaving machine in the open shed position;
Figure 3 6 shows the shedding mechanism of Figure
35 in closed shed position;
Figure 37 shows a weaving machine having a thread
control device in accordance with Figures 35 and 36 and having individual repeat control, in a view onto the front side;
Figure 3 8 shows a further weaving machine having
thread control devices in accordance with Figures 35 and 36, the actuators driving a plurality of control elements in terms of repeat;
Figure 3 9 shows an eighth thread control device
similar to Figures 24 to 27 and having

Figure 40
Figure 41
Figure 42
Figure 43
Figure 44
Figure 45
Figure 46
Figure 47
Figure 48

a modified actuator in a shedding mech¬anism in open shed position; shows the shedding mechanism of Figure 3 9 in closed shed position; shows the actuator of the shedding mechanism of Figures 39 and 40, con¬structed as a pneumatic piston/cylinder unit;
shows the actuator of the shedding mechanism of Figures 3 9 and 40, designed as an electromagnet; shows a ninth shedding mechanism having thread control devices similar to Figures 24 to 27, having modified actuators;
shows the actuators of the shedding mechanism of Figure 43, on a larger scale;
shows the actuators of Figures 43 and 44 in a modified form in the section XXXXV-XXXXV of Figure 47, in high position;
shows the actuators of Figure 45 in low position;
shows the arrangement of the control elements of Figures 45 and 46, in plan view; and
shows a weaving machine having thread control devices in accordance with Figures 3 8 to 47 and direct drive of the control elements, in a view onto the front side.

Ways of implementing the innovation
Figure 1 shows the diagrammatic design of a weaving machine. Warp threads 4 are drawn off from a warp beam 2 and run via a tensioning device 6 to a first warp guide 8, and further to a second warp guide 10, between which

warp feelers 12 are arranged. From the second warp guide 10, the warp threads 4 run via a plurality of thread control devices 14, which are combined to form a shedding mechanism 13 and open the warp threads 4 to form a weaving shed 16, to a weaving station 18 at which weft threads 20 are inserted into the open weaving shed 16 and beaten at a fell 24 by means of a weaving reed 22. The woven web 26 thus produced is guided via the fabric guide 2 8 of a drawing-off device 3 0 to a fabric roller 32 and wound on there.
The shedding mechanism 13 is formed from individual thread control devices 14 represented in detail in Figures 2 and 3, and includes a lifting device 34 having a lifting rail 3 6 which can be moved up and down, for example via a connecting rod 38 by a driven eccentric 40. Lined up on the lifting rail 36 are drivers 42 which are constructed like lamellae and have on mutually averted sides spring tongues 44 at whose free ends there is arranged in each case a drive hook 46, 48 for gripping one warp thread 4a, 4b each. Each driver hook is provided at the free end with a run-on guide 50, in order to facilitate engagement of the warp thread. Positioned upstream of the driver hooks 46, 48 is a thread rejector 52 whose purpose is to prevent undesired engagement of warp threads on the driver hook 46, 48.
For each driver hook 46, 48, each driver 42 is assigned control elements 54, 56 which can be controlled by means of an actuator 58, 60 in order to bring an assigned warp thread 4a, 4b into engagement with the driver hook 46, 48 of the driver. The actuators 58, 60 are connected via a line 62 to a control device 64 which the actuators control in terms of pattern in accordance with the web to be produced, doing so in a way which, although not represented in more detail, is known. Each control element 54, 56 comprises two control lamellae 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b, respectively, which enclose the driver 42 between them. The control elements 54, 56 and/or their

control lamellae 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b, respectively, are mounted on a common support 66 such that they can pivot about bolts 68, the pivoting path corresponding only to the switching variable required to insert the warp thread into the driver and bring it out of it. The support 66 is lined up on a fixed support rail 70 and includes spring arms 72 which operate in each case with a stop 74 between the control lamellae 54a, 54b and 56a, 56b respectively, and pretension the latter against the actuator 58, 60.
As emerges from Figures 1 and, in particular 2 to 20, the control elements include slots 76 which, in the basic position of the warp threads 4a, 4b are constructed as narrow control slots 7 8 which merge in the lifting direction into wide guide slots 80.
The mode of operation of the shedding mechanism follows very clearly from Figures 1 to 20. The basic position of the warp threads is determined by the straight connection between the second warp guide 10 and the fabric guide 28. This basic position also corresponds to the high position of the warp shed from which the warp threads 4, 4a, 4b are brought selectively by the stroke H into the low position, as is to be seen from the figures. A warp thread 4, 4a, 4b is driven only if the warp thread is brought by means of the associated control element 54, 56 into engagement with the associated driver hook 46, 48 in the high position thereof (Figures 5, 9 and 17) . For this purpose, an appropriate actuator 58, 60 is activated via the control device 64, and pivots the associated control element 54, 56 against the associated driver hook 46, 48, with the result that upon the downward movement of the driver 52 the said control element is driven by the driver hook 46, 48 and brought into the low position (Figures 1, 2, 1, 11 and 19) . The warp thread is returned from the low position into the high position with the upward movement of the driver 42 primarily by the residual stress of the warp thread. The upward movement can be further supported by laying the warp thread on the

lifting rail, which is arranged directly below the driver hook. The driver hook could, if appropriate, also be constructed as a double hook 48a, as is indicated by dashes in Figure 2 • The warp thread is directed out of the driver hook 46, 48 when the driver 42, and thus the warp thread 4a, 4b, has reached the basic position. The actuator 58, 60 is then switched to be inactive, as a result of which the control element 54, 56 is pivoted back, under the influence of the pre tensioning of the spring arm 72, into the basic position (Figures 13 to 16) , in which the warp threads cannot be driven by the driver 42.
The driver 42 is equipped in the present example with two driver hooks 46, 48, and two control elements 54, 56 are assigned correspondingly, with the result that one driver can move two warp threads 4a, 4b selectively out of the upper shed position into the lower shed position, as shown, in particular, by the diagram in Figure 4 and the associated phase drawings of Figures 5 to 20. It is therefore necessary to arrange on a lifting rail 3 6 only half as many drivers 42 as there are warp threads present, and on a support rail 70 a number of control elements 54, 56 which corresponds to the number of the warp threads• The drivers 42 constructed like lamellae and control elements 54, 56 are configured to be corres¬pondingly thin and can, for example, be 0.1 to 0.5 mm thick. If appropriate, it may be expedient to distribute the required number of drivers 42 and control elements 54, 56 over two and more lifting rails 3 6 and support rails 70.
As shown by the above embodiments, no spring returns are required with the novel shedding mechanism, and the components required to control the warp threads are reduced to a minimum because of the direct control of the warp threads, as a result of which there is a very considerable reduction in the drive forces by comparison with conventional devices. This leads, on the one hand.

to a substantial saving in energy and, on the other hand, it opens up the possibility of operating such a weaving machine with a substantially higher speed of, for example, 5000 or more revolutions per minute.
Figure 21 describes a thread control device 14a which corresponds essentially to that of Figures 1 to 20, the thread control device being arranged, however, not below the web prescribed by the warp threads 4a, 4b but above it, with the result that the neutral position of the warp threads corresponds to the lower shed position, and the warp threads are deflected into the upper shed position by means of the driver 42.
In the shedding mechanism represented in Figure 22 and formed from thread control devices 14b, the drivers 82 are lined up on a lifting rail which forms part of a metal heald frame 84 which is moved up and down in a known way. The drivers, in turn, include driver hooks 46, 48 and projections 86, 88 which serve to support the return of the warp threads into the initial position. Assigned to the driver 82 or the driver hooks 46, 48 are control elements 90, 92 which, in turn, include a slot 76 having a control slot 78 and a guide slot 80, and are mounted pivotably on a support rail 94. Each control element has an actuating arm 96 on the side averted from the warp threads 4a, 4b. Each actuating arm 96 includes a control stop 98 and a biasing spring 100, which pretensions the control s top 9 8 agains t a switching device 102, a so-called flexural vibrator, which is at an electric potential thereto. If the switching device 102 is not activated, the control stop 98 rests on the said switching device and the control device remains in the neutral basic position. If, however, the switching device 102 is activated via a line 104 by means of the control device 64, the switching device 102 pivots into the position shown by dashes, and the switching device 90 can pivot under the influence of the biasing spring 100 and share in the movement of an actuator 106 in the form of

a driven control strip which engages in a driving groove 108 at the lower end of the actuating arm 96. This driving groove 108 has a width such that it can move freely when the actuating arm 96 is stopped in the basic position by the switching device 102. With the switching device 102 activated, the biasing spring 100 pretensions the actuating arm 96 against the control strip 106, with the result that the actuating arm shares in the movement of the control strip 106, the control element 90 or 92 thereby engaging the corresponding warp thread 4a, 4b with the associated driver hook 46, 48. The control stops 98a to 98n represented by dashes in Figure 22 correspond in each case to a control element following in the sequence, which respectively cooperates in turn with a dedicated switching device (not represented).
Figure 23 describes a thread control device 14c, in which a warp thread 4 is assigned two drivers 110 and 112 which move the warp thread from the neutral position of the warp threads, which corresponds to the middle shed position, into the upper shed position or into the lower shed position, respectively. The drivers 110, 112 are arranged on corresponding lifting rails 114, 116 and in each case have a driver hook 120, 122 at the end of a spring tongue 118. Assigned to the two drivers 110, 112 is a common control element 124 which is mounted pivo-tably on a support rail 126 and has on the side averted from the warp thread 4 an actuating arm 12 8 which cooperates with two actuators 13 0, 132 which act opposed to one another and pivot the control element 124 against one or other of the drivers 110, 112. The control element 124 is provided, in turn, with a slot 134 for controlling the warp thread, which is constructed in the neutral position of the warp thread 4 as a narrow control slot 13 6 which then merges both upwards and downwards into wide guide slots 138, 140. This thread control device functions similarly to the thread control device described at the beginning.

Figures 24 and 25 show a further thread control device 14d having a control element 140 to which drivers 142, 144 having driver hooks 146 are assigned on each side. The drivers 142, 144 run in opposite directions and move downwards or upwards, respectively, from the middle position shown in Figure 24. The control element 140 includes a slot 148 which is constructed in the middle position as a control slot 150 and which is adjoined by guide slots 152 on both sides. The control slot 150 is arranged obliquely relatively to the longitudinal direc¬tion of the control element 140 in such a way that when the latter moves longitudinally in an oscillating fashion, the control element is moved by the switching variable S, as is represented by dashes in Figure 24. When the control element is moved from the position represented by full lines in Figure 24 into the position represented by dashes, the warp thread 4 is transferred from the driver region of the left-hand driver 142 into the driver region of the right-hand driver 144, with the result that when executing its lifting movement by means of the lifting rail 154 of the lifting device (not represented in more detail) the latter driver can be transferred from the middle position into the upper shed position. As emerges, in particular, from Figure 25, the control element 140 is constructed like a lamella and comprises the control lamellae 140a and 140b which enclose between them over a portion of their width the drivers 142, 144 which are likewise constructed like lamellae.
Figures 2 6 and 27 show a thread control device 14e which corresponds to that of Figures 24 and 25, the control element having a further control lamella 140c, with the result that the drivers 142, 144 are respectively arranged between mutually separated control leunellae 140a, 140b or 140b and 140c. Consecjuently, the control lamellae can be of wider design and can have a larger degree of coverage with the control lamellae, and thus an improved guidance. In this case, the drivers 142, 144 can

have a section 156 which covers the driver hook 146 and which cooperates in the manner of a double hook 146a to return the warp thread 4 from the upper or lower shed position and thus support the active control of the warp thread. In the middle shed position represented in Figure 26, the widened sections 156 of the drivers 142, 144 form a gap 158 which supports the transfer of the warp thread along the control slot 150 out of one switching position into the other switching position.
Figures 28 to 33 show the further design and driving of the thread control devices 14f according to Figures 24, 25 and 26, 27, respectively, on the one hand, and different phases of the movement cycle during control of the warp thread, on the other hand. In the case of the control elements 140 shown in Figures 2 8 to 32, the control element 140 is controlled by means of an actuator 160 which is driven pneumatically and to which the control element 140 is connected via a harness cord 162 which is guided from the actuator 160 via a cord board 164 to the control element 140. The actuator serves primarily for the upward stroke, while the return move¬ment is performed by a return spring 166 which is con¬nected to the lower end of the control element 140, which end is guided by a guide 168. The movement cycle of the drivers 142, 144 is represented in the movement diagram of Figure 34. In accordance with Figure 29, the warp thread 4 is moved out of the middle shed position into the lower shed position in accordance with Figure 3 0 by means of the left-hand driver 142. From this position, it then passes again into the middle shed position in accordance with Figure 31 when the driver 142 moves back, the warp thread 4 being transferred in the right-hand driver 144 by means of the control slot 150 of the control element 140. The said driver 144 drives it into the upper shed position in accordance with Figure 32, from which it then passes again into the middle shed position in accordance with Figure 3 3 by means of the right-hand driver 144.

Figures 3 5 and 3 6 show the arrangement of a plurality of thread control devices 14f in accordance with Figures
2 8 to 33 in a shedding mechanism 17 0 of a weaving machine, it being possible for such thread control devices to be arranged both in a row one behind another and in a plurality of rows next to one another, depending on the count of the web 26 to be produced or on the count of the warp threads 4a, 4b to be controlled. Figure
3 5 shows the shedding mechanism in open shed position, the weft thread 2 0 being inserted into the weaving shed 16 and then beaten at the fell 24 by means of the weaving reed 22. The shedding mechanism is represented in the closed shed position in Figure 36.
Figure 37 shows the front view of a weaving machine having thread control devices 14 f in accordance with Figures 3 5 and 36 and the shedding mechanism 17 0. As emerges from Figure 37, the weaving machine includes a machine frame 172, in which the shedding mechanism 170 is arranged with the thread control devices 14d, 14e and 14 f, and which serves to control warp threads (not represented in more detail) directly in terms of repeat. Each control element 140 is pretensioned downwards via the return spring 166 and connected, via the harness cord 162, which is guided through the cord board 164, to a selecting device 174 which contains the actuators 160. Figure 3 8 shows a further weaving machine, in which an actuator 160a of the selecting device 174a and the shedding mechanism 170a simultaneously operates a plurality of control elements in accordance with a warp repeat T.
Figures 3 9 to 42 show a further exemplary embodiment of a shedding mechanism 176 having thread control devices 14g which are designed according to the principle of the thread control devices 14d and 14e in Figures 24 to 27, but have modified actuators 178. For this purpose, the control elements 140 are arranged at the lower end in a guide 180 and connected via connecting elements 182 to

the actuators 178, which are situated lower down. These then drive the control elements. In accordance with Figure 41, such an actuator 178a can be constructed as a pneumatic piston/cylinder unit. A piston 184 connected to the connecting element 182 is pretensioned in the low position in the cylinder 186 by means of a return spring 188. Compressed air is supplied via the feed line 190 and the piston, and thus the control element, are raised. A further example of an actuator 178b is shown in Figure 42. In this case, the actuator is constructed as an electromagnet and has in a housing 192 a coil 194 to which control current is applied via lines 196. A perma¬nent magnet 198 is arranged displaceably in the coil 194 and connected to the control element 140 via the connecting element 182. The shedding mechanism is repre¬sented in open shed position in Figure 39, and in closed shed position in Figure 40.
Figures 43 and 44 show a further shedding mechanism 2 00 having thread control devices 14h according to the principle of the thread control devices of Figures 24 to 27, but with further modified actuators 2 02. For this purpose, the control elements 140 each have at the lower end a guide element 204 which is guided moving up and down in a guide 206. Lease knives 208 which move up and down and in each case cooperate with a driver part 210 on the control element 140 serve to drive the control elements. The biasing spring 212 in the guide 206 preten¬sions the control element 140, and thus the driver part 210, against the lease knife 208, with the result that the control element 140 can follow the oscillating movement of the lease knife. Arranged on the underside of the guide 206 is a control plate 214 which carries piezoelectric switching devices 216 which, in the unswitched state, ensure the free movement of the guide element 2 04, and thus of the control element, and in the switched, that is to say activated state cooperate with a shoulder 218, with the result that the driver part 210 and thus the control element 140 can no longer follow the

lease knife 208. This retains the control element in one switching position, with the result that an associated warp thread 4 can no longer be passed on from one driver 142 to the other driver 144, and can thus no longer change from the low position into the high position, and vice versa.
Figures 45 to 47 show a further embodiment of a thread control device 14i, which corresponds to the thread control device 14h of Figures 43 and 44, although in this case the actuators 202a have control plates 214a with two rows, situated one under another, of switching devices 216, 216a which come into use alternately viewed in the longitudinal direction of the lease knife 208. Consequently, the guide elements 2 04a differ and have shoulders 218, 218a at appropriately offset positions. This permits a high package density of the thread control devices, and thus a high porter per centimetre. The lease knives are represented in high position in Figure 45 and in low position in Figure 46, individual switching devices 216, 216a being shown in the activated, that is to say deflected state in which they cooperate with the shoulders 218, 218a of the guide elements 204a.
The weaving machine represented in Figure 4 8 includes a shedding mechanism 2 00 in accordance with Figures 39 to 43 having thread control devices 14g, 14h, 14i in accor¬dance with Figures 3 9 to 47. In this case, the guide 20 6 with the actuators 202 is arranged below the weaving region 220 in the machine frame 222, with the result that the weaving region is freely accessible from the top side.
In the above exemplary embodiments, the thread control devices are shown in each case in conjunction with the control of warp threads for shed formation in a weaving machine. The thread control devices can, however, also serve to control other threads for other purposes, in particular for selecting weft threads which are either

fed separately from the warp threads or, in particular, similarly to the warp threads.

List of reference numerals

(Figures 1-20) (Figure 21) (Figure 22) (Figure 23) (Figures 24-25) (Figures 26-27) (Figures 28-36) (Figures 39-42) (Figures 43-44) (Figures 45-47)
H
S
T
2
4
6
8
10
12
13
14
14a
14b
14c
14d
14e
14f
14g
14h
14i
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48

Stroke of a thread or of a driver
Switching variable
Warp repeat
Warp beam
Warp thread
Tensioning device
First warp guide
Second warp guide
Warp feeler
Shedding mechanism
First thread control device
Second thread control device
Third thread control device
Fourth thread control device
Fifth thread control device
Sixth thread control device
Seventh thread control device
Eighth thread control device
Ninth thread control device
Tenth thread control device
Weaving shed
Weaving station
Weft thread
Weaving reed
Fell
Web
Fabric guide
Drawing-off device
Fabric roller
Lifting device
Lifting rail
Connecting rod
Eccentric
Driver
Spring tongue
Driver hook
Driver hook

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116 Lifting rail
118 Spring tongue
12 0 Driver hook
122 Driver hook
124 Control element
12 6 Support rail
128 Actuating arm
130 Actuator
132 Actuator
134 Slot
136 Control slot
138 Guide slot
140 Control element
140a Control lamella
140b Control lamella
140c Control lamella
142 Driver
144 Driver
146 Driver hook
146a Double hook
148 Slot
150 Control slot
152 Guide slot
154 Lifting rail
156 Widened section
158 Gap
160 Actuator
160a Actuator
162 Harness cord
164 Cord board
166 Return spring
16 8 Guide
170 Shedding mechanism
17 0a Shedding mechanism
172 Machine frame
174 Selecting device
174a Selecting device
176 Shedding mechanism
17 8 Actuator

17 8a Actuator
178b Actuator
180 Guide
182 Connecting element
184 Piston
186 Cylinder
188 Return spring
190 Feed line
192 Housing
194 Coil
196 Line
198 Permanent magnet
2 00 Shedding mechanism
2 02 Actuator
202a Actuator
2 04 Guide element
2 04a Guide element
2 06 Guide
208 Lease knife
210 Driver part
212 Biasing spring
214 Control plate
214a Control plate
216 Switching device
216a Switching device
218 Retaining stop
218a Retaining stop
22 0 Weaving region
222 Machine frame

1. Thread control device for optionally controlling an oscillating transverse movement of a thread (4, 4a, 4b), in particular of a warp thread of a weaving machine, having at least one lifting device (34, 36, 154), which can be driven in an oscillating fashion, having at least one driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) for the thread, further having at least one control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) which can be actuated by means of an actuator (58, 60, 106, 130, 132, 160, 160a, 178, 178a, 178b, 202, 202a) in order to bring the thread selectively into engagement with the driver, characterized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) is arranged independently of the lifting device (34) for the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144), all of this being such that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) moves the thread (4, 4a, 4b) selectively directly towards and away from the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) in an oscillating fashion by a switching variable (S).
2. Thread control device according to Claim 1, charac¬terized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) has a control slot (78, 136, 150) in order to move the thread (4, 4a, 4b) by the switching variable (S).
3. Thread control device according to Claim 2, charac¬terized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) has a slot (76, 134, 148) which extends over the entire transverse movement of the thread (4, 4a, 4b) and which preferably expands outside the control slot (78, 136, 150).
4. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) is constructed like a lamella and at least partially covers the driver (42, 82,

110, 112, 142, 144) , likewise constructed like a lamella, at the wide end.
5. Thread control device according to Claim 4, charac¬terized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124, 140) has at least two parallel lamellae (54a, 54b, 56a, 56b, 140a, 140b, 140c) which enclose the lamella-like driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) between them.
6. Thread control device according to Claim 5, charac¬terized in that the control means (140) has at least one further lamella (140c) and encloses a further driver (144).
7. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the driver (42, 82) can be moved over the entire transverse movement (H) of the thread (4, 4a, 4b).
8. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the driver (110, 142) can be moved along a first segment of the transverse movement of the thread (4) , and there is present for the remainder of the transverse movement of the thread a second driver (112, 144) which is oppositely directed with respect to the first driver, the control means (124, 140) being effective for the selective transfer of threads at the crossing point of the first and second drivers.
9. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the driver (42, 82, 110, 112, 142, 144) has a driver hook (46, 48, 120, 122, 146) for driving the thread (4, 4a, 4b) in a self-closed fashion in one direction of movement, it being possible for the thread to be returned in the other direction of movement in a force-close fashion, preferably by the residual stress of the

thread.
10. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the driver (48) has a double hook (48a, 146a) for self-closed driving of the thread in both directions of movement.
11. Thread control device according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the driver hook (46, 48, 120, 122) is arranged at the end of a spring tongue (44) and has preferably one run-on guide (50) outside the driver part.
12. Thread control device according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the driver hook (42) has a thread rejector at the free end.
13. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the driver (42, 82) has two driver hooks (46, 48) which point away from one another and to which in each case a control means (54, 56, 90, 92) for laying in a thread (4, 4a, 4b) is assigned.
14. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, charac¬terized in that the actuator (106, 202) includes a piezoelectric switching device (102, 216, 216a).
15. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, charac¬terized in that the actuator (178a) is constructed as a piston/cylinder unit (184, 186) which can be actuated by a fluid and is preferably pneumatic.
16. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the actuator (178b) is constructed as an electromagnet (194, 198) .
17. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the actuator (58, 60,

106, 160, 160a, 178, 178a, 202) can be activated in one drive direction and can be returned in the other direction by means of a spring (72, 100, 166, 188, 212) .
18. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the control means (54, 56, 90, 93, 124) is constructed as a control element which can be pivoted by the switching variable (S) and is preferably arranged on a support rail (70, 94, 126).
19. Thread control device according to Claim 18, charac¬terized in that control elements (54) arranged in pairs are mounted pivotably on a common support (66) which is fastened to a support rail (70) and has a spring arm (72) which pretensions the control elements (54, 56) against the actuator (58, 60)•
20. Thread control device according to Claim 18, charac¬terized in that the control element (90, 92) mounted pivotably on a support rail (94) has a control stop
(98) and a biasing spring (100) which pretensions the control stop (98) against the preferably piezoelectric switching device (102) which releases the path of the control stop (98) in the switching state and brings the control element (90, 92) into engagement with an oscillating actuator (106).
21. Thread control device according to one of Claims 2
to 17, characterized in that the control means (140)
is constructed as an elongated control element which
is arranged to move to and fro in its longitudinal
direction, the control slot (150) extending in the
control region at an angle to the displacement
direction of the control element from one switching
position of the thread (4) into the other switching
position of the thread.

22. Thread control device according to Claim 21, charac¬terized in that the control element (140) moving to and fro in the longitudinal direction is preferably-connected at the lower end directly to the actuator (178, 178a, 178b, 202)•
23- Thread control device according to Claim 21, charac¬terized in that the control element (140) moving to and fro in the longitudinal direction is pretensioned in one direction at the lower end by means of a return spring (166), and is connected at the upper end with the actuator (160, 160a) via a connecting element (162), preferably a cord.
24. Thread control device according to Claim 21, charac¬
terized in that the control element (140) moving to
and fro in the longitudinal direction cooperates
with a drive element (208) , moving to and fro in the
longitudinal direction of the thread control
element, against which drive element the latter is
pretensioned by means of a spring (212), the control
element being provided with a retaining stop (218,
218a) with which a controllable switching device
(216, 216a), preferably a piezoelectric switching
device, can cooperate in such a way that the control
element (140) follows the movement of the drive
element (208) in the event of an ineffective switch¬
ing device, and is retained in a position in the
event of an effective switching device (216, 216a).
25. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1
to 24, characterized in that the driver (42, 82,
110, 112, 142, 144) is arranged on a lifting rail
(36, 154) of the lifting device (34).
2 6. Thread control device according to one of Claims 1
to 25, characterized in that it is a component of a
shedding mechanism (13, 170, 170a, 176, 200) of a weaving machine, a multiplicity of the thread con-

trol devices being present for controlling the warp threads of the weaving machine.
27. Thread control device according to Claim 25, charac¬
terized in that control elements combined into
groups can be driven in each case by a common
actuator (160a).
28. Thread control device for optionally controlling an
oscillating transverse movement of a thread
substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.

Documents:

2753-mas-1997-abstract.pdf

2753-mas-1997-claims filed.pdf

2753-mas-1997-claims granted.pdf

2753-mas-1997-correspondnece-others.pdf

2753-mas-1997-correspondnece-po.pdf

2753-mas-1997-description(complete)filed.pdf

2753-mas-1997-description(complete)granted.pdf

2753-mas-1997-drawings.pdf

2753-mas-1997-form 1.pdf

2753-mas-1997-form 26.pdf

2753-mas-1997-form 3.pdf

2753-mas-1997-form 5.pdf

2753-mas-1997-other documents.pdf

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Patent Number

213906

Indian Patent Application Number

2753/MAS/1997

PG Journal Number

13/2008

Publication Date

31-Mar-2008

Grant Date

23-Jan-2008

Date of Filing

01-Dec-1997

Name of Patentee

TEXTILMA AG

Applicant Address

SEESTRASSE 97, CH-6052 HERGISWIL,

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	SPEICH, FRANCISO	BLEUMATTSTRASSE 10, CH-5264 GIPF-OBERFRICK,

PCT International Classification Number

D03C 13/00

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	29716100.8	1997-09-08	Germany