U.S. patent application number 10/553565 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for thread feeding device and cable for the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEMMINGER-IRO GMBH. Invention is credited to Friedrich Dinkelmann, Richard Kaufmann.
Application Number | 20060231662 10/553565 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33393906 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060231662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaufmann; Richard ; et
al. |
October 19, 2006 |
Thread feeding device and cable for the same
Abstract
A yarn feed system for a textile machine having a clamp for
fastening to a mounting ring (4) of the machine. Contact pins are
disposed on the clamp (3) and serve the purpose of piercing the
insulation of a flat multi-cord cable (17) retained on the machine
ring (4). For positionally correct orientation of the flat
multi-cord cable (17) before and during the insulation-piercing
operation, a guide element (37) is used, which is supported movably
on or at the clamp. In the vertical direction, it is preferably
retained by a spring arm (49). On its flanks, the flat multi-cord
cable (17) preferably has grooves, which can likewise serve to
orient the flat multi-cord cable positionally correctly before and
during the insulation-piercing operation. The tips of the contact
pins are located in the grooves and thereby bring about the
alignment of the flat multi-cord cable (17 or 54).
Inventors: |
Kaufmann; Richard;
(Freudenstadt, DE) ; Dinkelmann; Friedrich;
(Rechberghausen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD
TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA, SUITE 4900
180 NORTH STETSON AVENUE
CHICAGO
IL
60601-6780
US
|
Assignee: |
MEMMINGER-IRO GMBH
DORNSTETTEN
DE
|
Family ID: |
33393906 |
Appl. No.: |
10/553565 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 17, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/02744 |
371 Date: |
November 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/366 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04B 15/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/366 |
International
Class: |
B65H 51/02 20060101
B65H051/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2003 |
DE |
103 18 931.9 |
Claims
1.-16. (canceled)
17. A yarn feed system (1) for a textile machine comprising, a main
body (2) having a yarn feeder (5) and at least one electrical
device (14a, 53) having a conductor (32, 33, 34, 35); a fastening
clamp (3) for fastening the yarn feed system (1) to the textile
machine; at least one contact pin (22, 23, 24, 25) disposed at the
fastening clamp (3) arranged for making contact with said conductor
(32, 33, 34, 35); and a guide element (37) disposed adjacent the
contact pin (22, 23, 24, 25) for locating said conductor (32, 33,
34) in relation to said contact pin (22, 23, 24, 25), and said
guide element (37) being mounted for movement relative to said main
body (2) and contact pin (22, 23, 24, 25).
18. The yarn feed system of claim 17 in which said electrical
device is one of switch (14a), a sensor, or a motor (53).
19. The yarn feed system of claim 17 in which said pin (22, 23, 24,
25) has an elongated axis, and said guide (37) is supported for
movement relative to said main body in the axial direction of said
pin.
20. The yarn feed system of claim 17 in which said fastening clamp
3 has a jaw 19 that is open at the bottom.
21. The yarn feed system of claim 17 in which said fastening clamp
(3) has a clamping screw (2) with an axis extending transversely to
an opening in said clamp.
22. The yarn feed system of claim 20 in which said contact pin (22,
23, 24, 25) extends transversely to the opening direction of said
jaw (19).
23. The yarn feed system of claim 17 in which said contact pin (22,
23, 24, 25) is fixedly supported in stationary fashion relative to
said main (2) body.
24. The yarn feed system of claim 17 in which said fastening claim
(3) has a jaw (19) that defines an opening, and said contact pin
(22, 23, 24, 25) extends into said jaw opening.
25. The yarn feed system of claim 17 including a plurality of said
contact pins (22, 23, 24, 25) which are disposed parallel to and
spaced apart from one another in order to provide electrical
contact with a plurality of conductors (32, 33, 34, 35).
26. The yarn feed system of claim 17 in which said contact pin (22,
23, 24, 25) is an insulation-piercing contact.
27. The yarn feed system of claim 25 in which said conductors (32,
33, 34, 35) are included in a cable (17).
28. The yarn feed system of claim 27 in which said cable (17) has a
rectangular cross section.
29. The yarn feed system of claim 27 in which said guide element is
mounted for movement in a direction parallel to said contact pin
(22, 23, 24, 25).
30. The yarn feed system of claim 27 in which said guide element is
resiliently biased toward a receiving position.
31. The yarn feed system of claim 30 in which said guide element
(37) has a jaw (41) with a contour corresponding to a cable to be
electrically contacted by said contact pin.
32. The yarn feed system of claim 36 in which positioning of said
guide element to said receiving position disconnects the conductor
from the contact pin (22, 23, 24, 25).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a yarn feed system with electrical
components and to a cable for making contact with such a yarn feed
system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Yarn feed systems are used in knitting machines or other
textile machines for feeding a yarn to a yarn-consuming station,
for instance, at a predetermined tension or in a prescribed
quantity. The yarn feed systems draw the yarn from a bobbin and
keep it in readiness on a drum for consumption by the
yarn-consuming machine, or feed it to that machine. Such yarn feed
systems are usually secured in relatively large numbers on a
suitable mount, such as a so-called machine ring. For that purpose,
they have a clamp. Besides the mechanical connection with the
textile machine, such yarn feed systems generally also require an
electrical connection so that existing electrical components can be
connected.
[0003] From German Patent Disclosure DE-OS 21 48 653, a yarn feed
system in the form of a yarn storage feeder is known, which has a
yarn feed drum that is driven under the control of an electric
motor. The drum and the motor are secured to a horizontally
extending mount, which on its free end has a jaw-like clamp that is
open at the bottom. A hook-like leg of this clamp has a clamping
screw, whose axis is oriented transversely to the opening direction
of the jaw. On the side facing the clamping screw, there are a
plurality of contact pins, which have sharpened tips. The tips
serve to pierce the insulation of a cable and make contact with the
conductors present in the cable. The cable is a ribbon cable, which
is disposed on a carrier or machine ring of rectangular cross
section. The contacts, in at least one version, are supported for
axial movement so that upon meeting the cable they can still be
thrust backward somewhat.
[0004] In making contact, it is important that the contact pins
securely meet the conductors that are concealed within the cable.
The connection of a yarn feed system to a textile machine must
therefore be made with care. The degree of care employed with the
yarn feed system, however, cannot be determined in advance by the
manufacturer of the yarn feed system.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide a yarn
feed system which can be properly connected mechanically and
electrically to a textile machine in an especially simple, secure
way.
[0006] Another object is to provide a cable which can be used with
less vulnerability to error in creating a secure connection of the
yarn feed system to a textile machine.
[0007] In carrying out the invention, the yarn feed system of the
invention has a fastening clamp with contact pins. The contact pins
are preferably disposed in stationary fashion. However, in some
cases, it can be desirable for the contact pins to be axially
movable instead.
[0008] The individual contact pin or contact pins (if there are
more than one) have an associated guide element which guides the
cable, particularly relative to the transverse direction of the
conductor, in the insulation-piercing operation of the contact
pins. The guide element preferably is adapted to the contour of the
conductor. The conductor is formed for instance by a flat
multi-cord cable of rectangular cross section. Accordingly, the
guide element then has a jaw of approximately rectangular or even
trapezoidal cross section, which corresponds to that of the flat
multi-cord cable. The guide element is supported for longitudinal,
but not transverse, movement to the contact pins, and as a result
in the insulation-piercing operation it holds the cable so firmly
that the contact pins securely meet the conductor or conductors of
the cable.
[0009] In a first embodiment, the guide element is supported in
stationary fashion relative to the main body, and the contact pins
are supported for relative axial movement. In the position of
repose, the contact pins are retracted far enough that they do not
protrude into the interior of the guide element. Thus the cable can
be introduced into the guide element by placing the yarn feed
system on the machine ring. As the fastening screw is screwed in,
first the yarn feed system is fixed as a result. As the fastening
screw continues to be screwed farther in, by a deflection
mechanism, the contact pins are thrust forward axially and thus
pierce the cable. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for
the contact pins to be activated by a separate actuating means,
such as a lever, for instance via a cam drive or a separate screw;
that is, the contact pins can be made to pierce into the interior,
enclosed in jaw-like fashion by the guide element, so as to make
electrical contact with the cable.
[0010] Alternatively, the contact pins can be stationary and
instead the guide element can be movably disposed. This is
particularly applicable to simple, robust embodiments. In that
case, the guide element is preferably resiliently supported, and a
spring means serves to tense the guide element into a receiving
position. In the receiving position, it is located in front of the
tips of the contact pins. As a result, it assures that the cable or
some other conductor can be introduced into the guide element
without becoming caught on the tips of the contact pins and thereby
forced out of its desired position. Even if the cable is retained
only relatively loosely on the machine ring or support rail of the
textile machine, for instance by means of cable binders, correct
contacting of the conductors of the cable is possible even if the
yarn feed systems are installed somewhat carelessly.
[0011] The contact pins can be connected to various electrical
components of the yarn feed system, such as an electrical switch, a
sensor, a display device, a motor, a magnet coupling, or the like.
The line that belongs to the textile machine and is contacted by
the contact pins preferably leads to a central controller of the
machine. Individual lines can be connected to a power supply. The
lines can be signal lines and/or supply lines.
[0012] The contact pins preferably are insulation-piercing contacts
in the form of needles. They can have a round or angular flat cross
section, for instance, so that they can drill through a conductor.
This is especially practical if the conductor is a flexible lead.
It also is possible for the insulation-piercing contacts to be
insulation displacement contacts, for instance, in the form of
longitudinally slit contact tongues. These tongues pierce a cable
insulation and receive the conductor in their slit, thereby
contacting it.
[0013] A ribbon cable with one, two or more conductors can be used
as the cable. The ribbon cable preferably has a rectangular cross
section with rounded corners. In this case, the guide element
assures that the contact pins will meet the conductors in the
insulation-piercing operation. In a preferred embodiment of the
cable, the cable has recesses on at least one side toward the
insulation-piercing contacts, which guide the insulation-piercing
contacts and the cable relative to one another in the
insulation-piercing operation. The recesses are, for instance,
grooves disposed parallel to the conductors which may be on one
flat side of the cable or in both opposed flat sides. With respect
to a plane oriented radially to the conductor and perpendicular to
the flat side, the grooves preferably are disposed centrally to
that plane. The grooves may be assigned to some of the conductors
or to all of the conductors. In a preferred embodiment of the
cable, the cable has two thicker conductors, embodied as flexible
leads, which for instance act as supply lines, along with one or
more thinner flexible conductors, which serve for instance as a
signal line. In that case, the flat sides of the cable are provided
with grooves only in the region of the signal lines, and the outer
contour of the cable otherwise hardly deviates from a
rectangle.
[0014] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon
reference to the drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a yarn feed
system in accordance with the invention, having a belt drive;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a yarn feed system in accordance with the
invention, similar to that shown in FIG. 1, having a motor
drive;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of a clamp for
the yarn feed systems shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2 that mechanically
connect the yarn feed system to a textile machine and for
simultaneously effecting an electrical connection;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of the clamp shown in FIG. 3
fitted over a support rail or ring of the textile machine;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section, similar to FIG. 4, showing
the clamp upon fastening to the machine ring;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section, similar to FIGS. 4 and 5,
showing the clamp in a firmly tightened state on the machine with
contact pins of the clamp in electrical contacting engagement with
an electrical cable of the machine;
[0021] FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view of an alternative embodiment
of cable for contacting by the yarn feed system; and
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side view, in partial section, of an alternative
embodiment of yarn feed system in accordance with the
invention.
[0023] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications
and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments
thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below
in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed,
but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit
and scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings,
there is shown an illustrative yarn feed system 1 in accordance
with the invention which includes a main body 2 in the form of a
mount or housing that is to be secured by a clamp 3 to a support
rail or machine ring 4 of a textile machine, such as a knitting
machine. The main body 2 projects in cantilevered fashion and
supports a yarn feeder 5. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the yarn
feeder includes a yarn feed wheel 6, which is disposed below the
main body 2 and supported by a vertical shaft 7 rotatably supported
by the main body 2. The shaft, on its upper end above the main body
2, carries one or more pulleys 8, 9, which can be selectively
coupled to the shaft 7 via a coupling disk 11. A yarn brake 12 is
disposed on the free end of the main body 2, located away from the
clamp 3. One or more yarn feeler levers 13, 14 associated with the
yarn feed wheel 6 are disposed, for instance, in front of and
behind the yarn feed wheel 6 in the yarn travel path and are
supported pivotably on the main body 2. These levers are connected
to switches 13a, 14a, disposed in the interior of the main body 2,
which open or close an electrical current circuit when the
applicable yarn feeler lever 13 or 14, under the influence of its
own weight and/or a reinforcing spring, pivots out of a raised
position into a position in which it hangs freely downward. To
indicate this state, a signal lamp 16, which is switched on and off
by the yarn feeler lever 13 and/or the yarn feeler lever 14, is
disposed on an extension 15, preferably extending vertically
downward, of the otherwise essentially horizontally disposed main
body 2.
[0025] For supplying power to the signal lamp 16 and/or for
signaling the state of the yarn feeler lever 13 and/or the yarn
feeler lever 14, a flat multi-cord cable 17 is disposed on the
machine ring 4. This cable is fixed to some extent to the machine
ring 4 by cable binders, adhesive tabs, or the like.
[0026] The clamp 3 is formed by a jaw that is open at the bottom.
The jaw includes a leg 18 which initially extends horizontally in a
rectilinear extension of the main body 2 and then, is bent at a
right angle, extending vertically downward. The leg 18 defines a
jaw 19 whose vertical height is approximately the same as the
height of the machine ring 4, and whose horizontal width is greater
than the width of the flat multi-cord cable 17 and of the machine
ring 4 together. In side view, the jaw 19 has an approximately
rectangular contour. For firmly clamping the yarn feed system 1 to
the machine ring 4, a clamping screw 21 is used, which engages a
horizontally oriented threaded bore of the leg 18. The threaded
bore and the clamping screw 21 are disposed approximately centrally
in the jaw 19.
[0027] The flat multi-cord cable 17 is disposed on the side of the
machine ring 4 remote from the clamping screw 21. Contact pins 22,
23, 24, 25 that can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 are disposed on this
side of the jaw 19 and are retained parallel to and spaced apart
from one another. The pins 22, 23, 24, 25 which are insulated
electrically from one another on the main body 2, extend toward the
leg 18 in essentially parallel aligned relation to the clamping
screw 21. The contact pins 22-25 preferably are retained in
stationary fashion and are disposed vertically one above the other.
However, they also can be offset from one another in the
longitudinal direction of the flat multi-cord cable 17, that is,
perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 4, so that the
punched holes that are to be formed in the flat multi-cord cable 17
will be spaced farther apart from one another. Each contact pin
22-25 preferably has a length such it does not touch the flat
multi-cord cable 17 when the flat multi-cord cable is introduced
with the machine ring 4 into the open jaw 19. On their respective
free ends 26, 27, 28, 29, the contact pins 22-25 each have a tip,
which is suited for piercing the insulating sheath 31 of the flat
multi-cord cable 17. A plurality of conductors 32, 33, 34, 35 are
disposed in this sheath 31, each preferably being formed by a
flexible copper lead. The vertical spacings of the conductors 32-35
match the vertical spacings of the contact pins 22-25.
[0028] The tips 26-29 of the contact pins 22-25 protrude into a
jaw-like recess 36, whose size is slightly greater than the cross
section of the flat multi-cord cable 17. The tips 26-29, however,
do not protrude out of this recess 36. In the region of the contact
pins 22-25, a guide element 37 is seated in a vertical chamber or
slit area of the recess 36. The guide element 37, preferably made
from plastic, has a jaw 41 defined at the top and bottom by two
protrusions 38, 39 corresponding in size to the cross section of
the flat multi-cord cable 17 and opening toward the clamping screw
21. Between the protrusions 38, 39, the guide element 37 has an
essentially plane seating face 42, formed with horizontal bores 43,
44, 45, 46 for receiving the contact pins 22-25, as can be seen
particularly from FIG. 1.
[0029] The guide element 37, which is shown in FIGS. 3-5 in its
receiving position is supported on the end of an integrally molded
spring arm 47 for movement in a longitudinal or axial direction of
the contact pins 22-25. As a result, the guide element 37 is
movable to the extent that it can be pressed into the slit-like
recess in which the contact pins 22-25 are seated with its back 48
approaching a bottom 49 of the recess.
[0030] The yarn feed system 1 described thus far is installed on a
machine ring 4 as follows:
[0031] For installation, the clamping screw 21 is first screwed out
of the jaw 19 far enough that the jaw 19 is completely free. In
this state, the yarn feed system 1 is placed with its clamp 3 onto
the machine ring 4 from above. The flat multi-cord cable 17 is then
located opposite the jaw 41 of the guide element 37, as seen in
both FIG. I and FIG. 4. If the fastening screw 21 is now tightened
somewhat, then as shown in FIG. 5, the flat multi-cord cable 17
moves into the jaw 41 of the guide element 37. The guide element
37, guided precisely in the vertical direction by its spring arm
47, receives the flat multi-cord cable 17 between the protrusions
38 and 39 and corrects its height, if necessary, so that its
conductors 32-35 are located precisely at the height of the contact
pins 22, 23, 24, 25.
[0032] If the fastening screw 21 is now tightened still more, then
the flat multi-cord cable 17 and the guide element 37, as shown in
FIG. 6, are thrust onto the contact pins 22-25. While the guide
element 37 moves into the recess surrounding the contact pins
22-25, the flat multi-cord cable 17 moves into the recess 36, which
is defined at the top and bottom by step-like stops 51, 52. The
contact pins 22-25 thereby penetrate the sheath 31 of the flat
multi-cord cable 17 and pierce the conductors 32-35, as shown in
FIG. 6. In the process, the machine ring 4 is urged against the
stops 51-52, whose seating faces are located in the same plane,
which results in secure mechanical fastening of the yarn feed
system 1.
[0033] A modified embodiment of the yarn feed system is shown in
FIG. 2, in which the drive of the yarn feeder 5 is effected by
means of a motor 53. The motor is seated on the main body 2 at the
top and replaces the pulleys 8, 9 of FIG. 1. The motor 53 may be
controlled, for instance, by the yarn tension sensors on the yarn
feed system 1. For supplying energy to the motor 53, a flat
multi-cord cable 17 on the machine ring 4 again is used, whose
clamping and electrical contacting is effected as described above
and shown in FIGS. 3-6.
[0034] In FIG. 7, a modified embodiment of a flat multi-cord cable
54 is shown. The flat multi-cord cable 54 has an insulating sheath
31, whose cross section has an approximately rectangular outline. A
plurality of cores, for instance six cores 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,
are accommodated in the sheath 31 which may be flexible copper
leads. Each of the cores 55-60 is surrounded by its own insulation
61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, which can be in different colors. All the
cores 55-60 are disposed in the same vertical plane 67, which is
oriented parallel to the flat sides 68, 69 of the flat multi-cord
cable 54. While the cores 55, 56, for instance, may serve as energy
supply lines and have a larger cross section, the cores 57-60 can
serve as signal lines and have a correspondingly smaller cross
section. Accordingly, the center-to-center spacings of the cores
57-60 are also less than the center-to-center spacings of the cores
55, 56. The center-to-center spacings of the cores 57-60 may be
less than half the thickness of the flat multi-cord cable 54, or in
other words less than the spacing in the vertical plane 67 from one
of the flat sides 69 and 68. The secure, correct contacting of the
cores 57-60 is facilitated, under these circumstances, by grooves
71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and grooves 76, 77, 78 embodied in the flat
sides 68 and 69, respectively. At least one of the two flat sides
68, 69 is provided with corresponding grooves. The groove 71 is
disposed approximately centrally to a radial plane 79 of the core
57, which is perpendicular to the vertical plane 67. Accordingly,
the groove 71 is located at the same height as the core 57. In the
same way, the grooves 72, 73, 74 are at the same height as the
cores 58, 59, 60, respectively. The grooves 75-78 likewise are
located at the same height as the respective cores 57-60.
[0035] A flat multi-cord cable 54 of this kind is especially well
suited for piercing, both with and without a guide element 37. The
grooves 71-74 guide contact pins that perform the piercing.
Conversely, if the contact pins come to rest like the teeth of a
comb in the grooves 71-74, then the flat multi-cord cable 54 is
automatically positioned at the correct height with respect to the
contact pins.
[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of a yarn feed
system 1. To the extent that it agrees with the yarn feed systems
described above, reference is made to the above description and the
same reference numerals. The differences from the above description
are as follows:
[0037] In the yarn feed system of FIG. 8, the guide element 37 is
formed with a recessed contour 81 corresponding to the cable in the
side wall toward the flat multi-cord cable 17. The contact pins 22,
23, 24, 25 are outside the contour 81 in the position of repose.
They are fixedly carried by a carrier 82 in parallel spaced apart
relation to one another and are retained in insulated fashion. Via
flexible conduction means (a flexible printed circuit board or the
like), the contact pins 22, 23, 24, 25 are connected to a further
electrical circuit, not shown, or to the motor 53, the signal lamp
16, and/or some other electrical device. The carrier 82 is
supported for movement in the axial direction of the contact pins
22, 23, 24, 25 by a guide device 83, which is depicted in FIG. 8 by
two sliding guides disposed on the two ends of the carrier 82.
Alternatively, resilient ribs or similar means could be used for
joining the carrier 82 to the main body 2. For actuation, that is,
for causing the contact pins 22, 23, 24, 25 to pierce the flat
multi-cord cable 17, a separate drive mechanism is used, which in
the present embodiment is formed by a rotatably supported eccentric
element 84. The eccentric element 84 is formed by a cam 85, which
is connected in a manner fixed against relative rotation to a hand
lever or similar actuating device, not otherwise shown. It serves
to displace the carrier 82 in the axial direction of the contact
pins. An appropriate spring means may be used for pre-stressing the
carrier 82 into its retracted position, shown in FIG. 8, in which
the contact pins 22, 23, 24, 25 do not enter into the jaw 41.
However, if the cam 85 is pivoted, this causes an axial
displacement of the carrier 32, as a result of which the contact
pins 22, 23, 24, 25 do move into the jaw 41.
[0038] The yarn feed system 1 of FIG. 8 is used as follows:
[0039] If it is to be installed on the machine ring 4, as shown in
FIG. 8, the carrier 82 is in the retracted position so that the jaw
41 is free. Now the fastening screw 42 is tightened, as a result of
which the yarn feed system 1 is firmly clamped to the machine ring
4. The flat multi-cord cable 17 rests in the jaw 41 without yet
being contacted. By a rotation of the cam 85, the contact pins 22,
23, 24, 25 are displaced axially so that they penetrate the flat
multi-cord cable 17 and contact its conductors 32, 33, 34, 35.
Either by its shaping or by means of an appropriate separate detent
or locking device, the cam 85 remains in this position. However, it
is also possible to dispense with such locking and to rely on the
fact that the contact pins 22, 23, 24, 25 that have been made to
pierce the flat multi-cord cable 17 will remain in place by
frictional engagement.
[0040] Hence, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, an actuating device is
provided that moves the carrier 82 toward the flat multi-cord cable
17; retraction is either not intended, or is effected by a spring
means. Alternatively, it is possible to provide an actuating device
that acts in both pushing and pulling fashion, such as a toggle
lever drive, threaded drive, sliding block, or the like.
[0041] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the yarn feed system
1 of the invention has a clamp 3 for fastening on a machine ring 4.
Contact pins are disposed on the clamp 3 and serve the purpose of
piercing the insulation of a flat multi-cord cable 17 retained on
the machine ring 4. For positionally correct orientation of the
flat multi-cord cable 17 before and during the insulation-piercing
operation, a guide element 37 is used, which is supported movably
on or at the clamp. In the vertical direction, it is preferably
retained by a spring arm 49. On its flanks, the flat multi-cord
cable 17 preferably has grooves, which can likewise serve to orient
the flat multi-cord cable positionally correctly before and during
the insulation-piercing operation. The tips of the contact pins are
located in the grooves and thereby bring about the alignment of the
flat multi-cord cable 17 or 54.
* * * * *