Yarn feed attachments for tufting machines

Details Yarn feed attachments for tufting machines Yarn feed attachments for tufting machines

2000-08-10

2001-05-22

Izaguirre, Ismael (Department: 3765)

Sewing

Special machines

Embroidering

Reexamination Certificate

active

06234095

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to chain tension adjustment devices for use with chain driven rolls of yarn feed attachments for tufting machines.
2. Description of Related Art
Yarn feed attachments for tufting machines are made by a number of manufacturers. One such attachment is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,497. These attachments may be connected to a tufting machine by a horizontally disposed support frame as in the aforesaid patent. The support frame carries a plurality of transversely extending parallel drive shafts. The shafts are driven at different speeds, but are generally in synchronization with the reciprocation of the needles. Some shafts are driven at relatively high speeds while others are driven at relatively slow speeds. The frame usually includes a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending, vertically disposed support plates which support the drive shafts.
Disposed below the main frame are a plurality of pairs of yarn feed rolls, each pair being carried by a roll shaft journalled by a roll shaft support bracket secured to the frame. The roll shafts are also usually supported by the support plates of the frame. Each pair of the rolls are typically located on opposite sides of each support plate and are mounted at the ends of the roll shaft. On the ends of each shaft and within each roll is an electric clutch, the rolls being selectively engaged and disengaged from the common roll shaft by actuation of the individual clutch for that roll. Each roll shaft is driven from one of the drive shafts by one or more chains. Typically each roll has a roughened periphery so as to be capable of driving one or a plurality of yarns at the peripheral speed of the roll.
When chains are installed on the yarn feed attachment to connect the drive shafts to the rolls, they sometimes do not provide an optimum amount of tension required to properly operate the rolls. If the chains are too loose, they may come off or fail to properly drive the rolls which may result in broken yarn fed to the tufting machine causing the machine to be shut down, the yarn ends tied, and production resumed. Furthermore, if the chains are too tight, they may break causing the roll to stop and the yarn to break and another stoppage of the tufting machine.
Accordingly, a need exists to provide a chain tension adjustment device for a yarn feed attachment to provide a desired amount of tension to the chain to maintain the tufting machine in operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An adjustable tension device for use with yarn feed attachments allows an operator to set the tension on a particular chain proceeding from the drive shaft to the roll shaft. The tension device includes a housing having a yoke and a connector. The opening between the arms of the yoke receives a support plate of the frame. Since the support plates of most tufting machines are planar members having a substantially constant and relatively narrow width, the opening between the arms of the yoke is configured to allow the yoke arms to extend along opposing sides of the petition. At least one connector, such as a set screw, is utilized to maintain the yoke in a fixed relationship relative to the petition.
Extending from the housing is a rotatable guide or roller. The guide contacts the chain with the yoke placed over the support plate. When placed in the desired position relative to the support plate and chain, the yoke is secured to the support plate with at least one connector.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2876441 (1959-03-01), Boyles
patent: 2954865 (1960-10-01), Hackney et al.
patent: 3224395 (1965-12-01), Card
patent: 3906876 (1975-09-01), Fitton
patent: 5806446 (1998-09-01), Morrison et al.

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