U.S. patent application number 12/420330 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-29 for fixing device for fixing toothed elements to a component of a textile machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Graf & Cie AG. Invention is credited to Urs Mueller.
Application Number | 20090265892 12/420330 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40974644 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090265892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mueller; Urs |
October 29, 2009 |
Fixing Device For Fixing Toothed Elements To A Component Of A
Textile Machine
Abstract
A fixing device fixes toothed elements to a component of a
textile machine. The component of the textile machine can be either
a top comb, a circular comb or a card flat. The fixing device
includes a stationary bearing surface for the toothed elements and
a flexible spring leg for pressing the toothed elements to the
bearing surface by use of a holding force. The fixing device
includes a device for neutralizing the holding force of the spring
leg.
Inventors: |
Mueller; Urs; (Euthal,
CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Assignee: |
Graf & Cie AG
Rapperswil
CH
|
Family ID: |
40974644 |
Appl. No.: |
12/420330 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
19/113 ;
19/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D01G 15/92 20130101;
D01G 15/34 20130101; D01G 15/84 20130101; D01G 19/10 20130101; D01G
19/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
19/113 ;
19/114 |
International
Class: |
D01G 15/14 20060101
D01G015/14; D01G 15/88 20060101 D01G015/88 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 14, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 019 399.2 |
Claims
1. A fixing device for fixing toothed elements to a component of a
textile machine, comprising: a stationary bearing surface against
which the toothed elements bear; a flexible spring leg for pressing
the toothed elements against the bearing surface, the flexible
spring leg applying a holding force; and a device for neutralizing
the holding force of the spring leg.
2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the component of
the textile machine is one of a top comb, a circular comb, and a
card flat.
3. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the device for
neutralizing the holding force is blockable against an
unintentional neutralizing of the holding force.
4. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible
spring leg and the stationary bearing surface for the toothed
elements are integrated in a one-piece supporting body for
supporting the toothed elements.
5. The fixing device according to claim 2, wherein the flexible
spring leg and the stationary bearing surface for the toothed
elements are integrated in a one-piece supporting body for
supporting the toothed elements.
6. The fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the supporting
body comprises a recess assigned to the flexible spring leg, said
recess being closable by a bar adapted to the form of the recess,
wherein the bar provides a blocking device for blocking the
neutralizing of the holding force of the flexible spring leg.
7. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the neutralizing
device comprises a lever arm connected to the spring leg, the lever
arm being operable for releasing the holding force of the spring
leg.
8. The fixing device according to claim 4, wherein the neutralizing
device comprises a lever arm connected to the spring leg, the lever
arm being operable for releasing the holding force of the spring
leg.
9. The fixing device according to claim 6, wherein the neutralizing
device comprises a lever arm connected to the spring leg, the lever
arm being operable for releasing the holding force of the spring
leg.
10. The fixing device according to claim 7, wherein the lever arm
for releasing the holding force of the spring leg is formed in
one-piece with the spring leg.
11. The fixing device according to claim 8, wherein the lever arm
for releasing the holding force of the spring leg is formed in
one-piece with the spring leg.
12. The fixing device according to claim 9, wherein the lever arm
for releasing the holding force of the spring leg is formed in
one-piece with the spring leg.
13. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the
neutralizing device comprises at least one take-up surface formed
on the spring leg, which take-up surface operates in conjunction
with an auxiliary tool for releasing the holding force of spring
leg.
14. The fixing device according to claim 4 wherein the neutralizing
device comprises at least one take-up surface formed on the spring
leg, which take-up surface operates in conjunction with an
auxiliary tool for releasing the holding force of spring leg.
15. A comb of a textile machine, the comb comprising: a fixing
device for fixing toothed elements to the comb, the fixing device
comprising: a stationary bearing surface against which the toothed
elements bear; a flexible spring leg for pressing the toothed
elements against the bearing surface, the flexible spring leg
applying a holding force; and a device for neutralizing the holding
force of the spring leg.
16. The comb according to claim 15, wherein the flexible spring leg
and the stationary bearing surface for the toothed elements are
integrated in a one-piece supporting body for supporting the
toothed elements.
17. The comb according to claim 15, wherein said comb is a top comb
or a circular comb.
18. The comb according to claim 16, wherein said comb is a top comb
or a circular comb.
19. A card flat of a textile machine, the card flat comprising: a
fixing device for fixing toothed elements to the card flat, the
fixing device comprising: a stationary bearing surface against
which the toothed elements bear; a flexible spring leg for pressing
the toothed elements against the bearing surface, the flexible
spring leg applying a holding force; and a device for neutralizing
the holding force of the spring leg.
20. The card flat according to claim 19, wherein the flexible
spring leg and the stationary bearing surface for the toothed
elements are integrated in a one-piece supporting body for
supporting the toothed elements.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2008 019 399.2, filed Apr.
14, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is herein expressly
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fixing device for fixing
toothed elements to a component of a textile machine, in particular
to a top comb, a circular comb, or a card flat, including a
stationary bearing surface for the toothed elements and a flexible
spring leg for pressing the toothed elements to the bearing surface
by way of a holding force.
[0003] The toothed elements on combs and card flats can be of
various designs. The toothed elements can, for example, include
needles. The toothed elements can just as well be designed as
stamped parts, which include one or a number of teeth.
[0004] It is generally known that the toothed elements can be fixed
to a supporting body by plastic deformation of a holding part or of
a part of the supporting body. It can hereby occur that the
material of the holding part is not deformed only plastically but
also elastically, and that the elastic deformation recedes after
the actual fixing process. The toothed elements are then not held
securely by a holding force and can become loose again.
[0005] An improvement is disclosed in German published patent
application DE 36 24 292 A1, in which a fixing device for sawtooth
punched parts of the above mentioned type are provided. At least
one flexible spring leg is provided which fixes the sawtooth
punched parts with a defined holding force to the supporting body.
The holding force acts continuously on the sawtooth elements so
that they are prevented from becoming loose.
[0006] In the known arrangement it is provided that the spring leg
is elastically deformed when applied to the sawtooth punched parts
or to the supporting body. It is therefore necessary to overcome
the holding force acting from the start when the sawtooth punched
parts are applied. In the production process of the component of
the textile machine, a number of toothed elements must be fixed to
the component. A large number of sawtooth elements are arranged in
close proximity to one another. The sawtooth elements must hereby
be slid traversely to the working direction along the stationary
bearing surface and along the elastic spring leg and mounted onto
the supporting body. When sliding the sawtooth elements along the
spring leg, a relative strong sliding force is necessary in the
case of the known arrangement, as the holding force of the spring
leg is effective directly at the start of the application of the
toothed element. When the toothed elements are being replaced, each
toothed element must be removed from the supporting body using a
relatively high force while overcoming the holding force. Mounting
and replacing the toothed elements is thus complex.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to create a fixing
device for toothed elements which enables a simple mounting of the
toothed elements.
[0008] This object has been achieved in accordance with the present
invention in that a device for neutralizing the holding force of
the spring leg is provided.
[0009] A fixing device for toothed elements having a device for
neutralizing the holding force of the spring leg has the advantage
in that the holding force of the flexible spring leg can be
deactivated during the mounting of the toothed element, thus
providing that the adjacently mounted toothed elements can slide
along the stationary bearing surface without meeting any
resistance. Mounting the toothed elements in the take-up element is
hereby simplified to a great extent. It ensures that the toothed
elements are arranged adjacently without any intermediary spacing.
Subsequent to the mounting of the toothed elements on the component
of the textile preparatory machine, the device for neutralizing the
holding force is deactivated, so that the spring leg presses the
toothed elements to the bearing surface and fixes the toothed
elements securely by use of its holding force. Further fixing
elements for the toothed elements are not necessary. Advantageously
the device for neutralizing the holding force deactivates the
holding force of all toothed elements arranged adjacently in one
row simultaneously.
[0010] Even in the case of a necessary replacement of worn toothed
elements, the device for neutralizing the holding force has
advantages. Not all the toothed elements have to be removed
individually from their take-up, as is the case in prior art.
Subsequent to activating the device for neutralizing the holding
force, no holding force of the spring leg whatsoever acts on the
toothed elements. The toothed elements fall out of their take-up by
themselves and can be easily disposed of.
[0011] A fixing device according to the present invention is
particularly advantageous for application in a top comb or a
circular comb for a combing machine. A fixing device can also be
applied in a very advantageous way for the fixing of the toothed
elements to a card flat of a flat card. As these components
comprising the toothed elements are separately handled objects, the
protective rights should also extend to a top comb, a circular comb
and a card flat.
[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention it is
provided that the device for neutralizing the holding force is
blockable against unintentional opening. When the device for
neutralizing the holding force is locked subsequent to the mounting
of the toothed elements in the component, the device for
neutralizing the holding force is prevented from being
unintentionally opened during transport and during the application
of the component in the textile machine. Unintentional activating
of the device for neutralizing the holding force can result in the
toothed elements falling irretrievably out of their take-up. As a
result of the blocking of the device for neutralizing the holding
force, the holding force of the spring leg can also advantageously
be increased.
[0013] In a further embodiment of the present invention it is
provided that the stationary supporting surface and the spring leg
are integrated in one piece in a supporting body for the toothed
elements. The supporting body can, for example, be subsequently
fixed to a circular comb. It can also be provided that the
supporting body is formed, for example, directly by the head area
of the blade of a top comb. The take-up for the toothed elements
formed by the stationary bearing surface and the spring leg is
integrated in a supporting body of the component of the textile
machine. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the
basic material of the supporting body is made of a sufficiently
flexible material, for example aluminum. If the supporting body is
made of a less flexible material, it can also be advantageous to
design the spring leg as a separate component and to fix it to the
supporting body. In this case, the spring leg can, for example, be
made of spring steel and can exert a relatively strong holding
force on the toothed elements.
[0014] In the case of a spring leg integrated into the supporting
body, it is advantageous when the supporting body includes a recess
assigned to the spring leg, which recess can be closed by way of a
bar adapted to the form of the recess for the purposes of blocking
the device for neutralizing the holding force of the spring leg.
Subsequent to the toothed elements being mounted in the take-up of
the supporting body, the bar adapted to the form of the recess can
be applied to the recess of the supporting body. When the bar is
applied, the device for neutralizing the holding force is blocked
and the holding force of the spring leg can no longer be released.
Only when the bar is removed is the holding force of the spring leg
releasable again.
[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the device for neutralizing
the holding force is formed by a lever arm connected with the
spring leg for relieving the pressure of the spring leg. The lever
arm for relieving the pressure can be formed advantageously in one
piece with the spring leg.
[0016] Alternatively it can be provided that the device for
neutralizing the holding force includes at least one take-up
surface on the spring leg for an auxiliary tool for relieving the
pressure of the spring leg. In order to deactivate the holding
force, the auxiliary tool is applied to the spring leg and the
spring leg opened.
[0017] These and further objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent from the
following detailed description thereof when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is an enlarged side view of a schematically shown top
comb including a fixing device according to an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 2 is a view according to FIG. 1 of another embodiment
of the fixing device according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] To exemplify a component 2 of a textile machine including
toothed elements 1, a top comb for a combing machine is shown in
FIG. 1. The top comb 2 includes essentially a blade 3, a fixing
device 4 for the toothed elements 1, and the toothed elements 1
themselves. The top comb 2 is assembled in the combing machine in
such a way that the toothed elements 1 comb through a fiber
material consisting of staple fibers in working direction A. The
actual dimension of the blade 3 as seen in working direction A lies
in the range of several millimeters in thickness and, vertical to
the drawing plane of FIG. 1, in the range of several hundred
millimeters in width. The head of the blade 3 forms a supporting
body 5 for the toothed elements 1.
[0021] The toothed elements 1 consist of punched out parts or
needles, which sit with their base end 6 in a take-up 7 of the
supporting body 5. The toothed elements 1 are held in the take-up 7
by the fixing device 4. The fixing device 4 includes a stationary
supporting surface 8 for the toothed elements 1 and a flexible
spring leg 9 for pressing the toothed elements 1 to the supporting
surface 8 with a holding force B. In the position shown in FIG. 1,
the spring leg 9 is already pre-loaded and presses against the
toothed elements 1 with the holding force B.
[0022] The fixing device 4 includes a device 10 for neutralizing
the holding force of the spring leg 9. The device 10 for
neutralizing the holding force is formed by a lever arm 11
connected with the spring leg 9 for relieving the pressure of the
spring leg 9.
[0023] The blade 3 of the top comb 2 can include a drawn profile
made of a light metal, for example aluminum. The spring leg 9, the
stationary supporting surface 8 and the lever arm 11 are integrated
in one piece in the supporting body 5 or in the blade 3. The
supporting body 5 includes a recess 12 assigned to the spring leg
9. The recess 12 gives rise to a virtual swivel axis 13, which is
formed in the supporting body 5, and around which the spring leg 9
is swivel-mounted.
[0024] The device 10 for neutralizing the holding force is
activated in that the lever arm 11 is loaded with a releasing force
C, which causes the spring leg 9 to swivel in the direction of the
arrow D around the swivel axis 13 and to release the toothed
elements 1. The holding force B of the spring leg 9 is suspended
and the toothed elements automatically fall out of the take-up 7.
New toothed elements 1 can be mounted to the take-up 7 very easily.
The mounted toothed elements are initially placed in a non-fixed
position while being closely adjacent to one another. When all the
toothed elements 1 are mounted over the entire working width of the
top comb 2, the actuation of the device 10 is released. The force C
is removed from the lever arm 11 and the spring leg 9 swivels back
in the opposite direction of the arrow direction D and exerts its
holding force B on the toothed elements 1. The toothed elements 1
are thus held securely in the supporting body 5 of the top comb 2.
No further fixing elements are necessary.
[0025] To ensure against unintentional opening, the device 10 for
neutralizing the holding force can be blocked subsequent to the
mounting of the toothed elements 1. For this purpose a bar (not
shown) can be provided, whose outer contour is adapted to the form
of the recess 12. The bar can be slid transversely to the working
direction A into the recess 12. When the recess 12 is blocked by
the bar, the spring leg 9 cannot be swiveled around the virtual
swivel axis 13 in direction D. Depending on the application, it can
be sufficient that the bar does not extend over the entire working
width of the top comb 2 and that the recess 12 is blocked only in
the outer areas of the supporting body 5. It can be advantageous
that the dimensions of the bar are so chosen that the bar can be
pressed into the recess 12 using light pressure. The holding force
B of the spring leg 9 can hereby be increased.
[0026] In FIG. 2 a top comb 2 is shown which has a somewhat
differently designed device 20 for neutralizing the holding force
on the fixing device 4 for the toothed elements 1. The same
reference numbers denote the same parts as in FIG. 1 so that a
repeat description can be omitted at this point.
[0027] The spring leg 9 is integrated into the supporting body 5
and can move around the virtual swivel axis 13 due to the recess
12. In the position shown, the spring leg 9 is pre-loaded and
presses the toothed elements 1 with the holding force B against the
stationary bearing surface 8. The device 20 for neutralizing the
holding force of the spring leg 9 can be activated for the purposes
of mounting and disassembly. The device 20 for neutralizing the
holding force includes a take-up surface 21, which is applied to
the spring leg 9 in the form of a groove. An auxiliary tool 22 for
relieving the pressure of the spring leg 9 is provided, which takes
the form of a rod extending over the entire width of the top comb
2, the rod having a working surface 23 assignable to the take-up
surface 21. The working surface 23 engages, in the form of at least
one shoulder, with the groove formed by the take-up surface 21. A
lever arm 24 is arranged on the side of the auxiliary tool 22
facing away from the working surface 23, on which lever arm 24 a
releasing force C can be exerted. By applying the releasing force C
to the level arm 24, the holding force B of the spring leg 9 is
suspended and the spring leg 9 is swiveled in the direction of the
arrow D. The toothed elements 1 can then be mounted without
difficulty in the take-up of the supporting body 5. When the
toothed elements 1 are mounted, the auxiliary tool 22 is removed
and the toothed elements 1 are held by the holding force B of the
spring leg 9.
[0028] The device 20 for neutralizing the holding force in FIG. 2
can also be blocked by closing the recess 12 by use of a bar (not
shown) adapted to the form of the recess 12, so that the spring leg
9 cannot be swiveled in the direction of the arrow D around the
swivel axis 13.
[0029] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *