Braider Carrier

Abstract

A strand carrier for a high-speed maypole braiding machine, in which the strand pay-off point of each strand carrier is maintained in substantially the same orientation relatively to the braiding point during the travel of the carrier in its serpentine path around the braiding point. The strand carrier of the instant invention is of a construction providing for an increased capacity of the strand supply and includes a hinged upper section normally overlying the strand supply but which may be readily swung open to permit the replenishment of the supply, the hinged upper section incorporating a slack take-up and strand-tensioning means, means for normally preventing rotation of the strand supply bobbin relatively to the carrier, and means under the control of the strand take-up and tensioning means for releasing the bobbin for rotation in a strand pay-off direction when an additional length of the strand is required in the braiding operation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Conventionally in strand carriers for braiding machines, the strand material is wound on bobbins rotatably mounted on the carriers and the bobbins are alternately held against rotation to provide tension in the strand material and released under the control of tension members to permit the withdrawal of the strand material as the carriers are propelled along their serpentine paths about the braiding point of the machine.

In the known braiding machines employing such carriers, the transfer of each carrier from one driver or horn gear to the next in its travel along its serpentine path results in the simultaneous reversal of the direction of rotation of the carrier due to the fact that the adjacent drivers or horn gears rotate in opposite directions. As a consequence, special means have been necessitated to arrest the energy of rotation of the carrier bobbin, such means conventionally consisting of ratchets and the like. The provision of such devices not only adds to the cost of the machine but, at the same time, reduces the carrier reliability. Also, such devices add extra weight to the carrier and reduce the capacity of the carrier to accomodate the strand material. Furthermore, inasmuch as the conventional carrier rotates in the same direction as that of the driver or horn gear by which it is propelled, it is necessary that the strand be guided by an eye or swivel pay-out element or the like to compensate for the motion of the carrier relatively to its driver as it moves along its serpentine path.

These problems have been eliminated in the braider construction of Applicant's prior application Ser. No. 280,631, filed Aug. 14, 1972, now U.S.Pat. No. 3,783,736 dated Jan. 8, 1971 which discloses a strand carrier propelling means which isolates the carrier spindle rotation from that of the drivers or horn gears. Specifically, the rotation of each carrier on its own axis is so controlled that the customary sudden reversal of the carrier rotation during transfer from one driver or horn gear to the next is eliminated. Further, the construction is such that the carrier maintains its strand pay-out point in substantially the same orientation relatively to the braiding point during its travel around the braiding point whereby the customary relatively complicated pay-out eye or swivel device may be eliminated. Furthermore, and of particular importance, due to the fact that the braider construction eliminates the sudden reversal of rotation of the carriers, the employment of simplified mechanisms for taking up the slack and applying tension to the strand as the carrier moves along its sinuous path, is permitted.

The present invention is directed to a braider carrier, particularly adapted for employment in a braiding machine of Applicant's said prior application although it may be used in braiding machines of other types, in which the slack take-up and strand-tensioning means and other strand control elements are readily removably mounted above the bobbin whereby maximum space is provided for the bobbin with consequent increased strand-carrying capacity and other advantages are attained, as will become apparent hereinafter.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Of the many prior patents relating to braider carriers, the most pertinent are believed to be represented by patents to Ostermann U.S. Pat. No. 3,359,848, issued Dec. 26, 1967, and Singh U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,893, issued Nov. 5, 1968. Referring to these patents individually, Ostermann discloses a carrier construction in which certain elements of the strand take-up and tensioning mechanism are also supported above the bobbin by means which allows for their removal to permit the substitution of full bobbins for empty ones. However, the patented construction additionally requires a braking system which adds substantially to the cost and complexity of the carrier. Also, the carrier includes other undesirable features which are eliminated by the carrier of the present invention, as will become apparent hereinafter.

In patent to Singh, the strand-tensioning means again is, in part, mounted above the strand supply bobbin and provision is made for the removal of such mechanism when the strand supply is to be renewed. However, the strand take-up and tensioning means additionally require the inclusion of a torsion spring located interiorly of the carrier with the result that the strand-carrying capacity of the bobbin is compromised or substantially limited. An associated strand-clamping mechanism, of which there is no counterpart in the carrier of the instant invention, is also required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the instant invention is the provision of a strand carrier of an improved construction for employment in a high-speed braiding machine of the maypole type and particularly in a braiding machine incorporating the features of Applicant's said prior application Ser. No. 280,631.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a braider carrier attaining the foregoing object having a maximum strand-carrying capacity.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a braider carrier attaining the foregoing objects which additionally includes improved and simplified means for compensating for or taking up the slack in the braiding strand and applying substantially uniform tension thereto as the carrier moves in its sinuous or serpentine path around the braiding point.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a braider carrier attaining the foregoing objects in which the mass of the mechanism serving to take up or compensate for the slack which would otherwise occur in the strand and for tensioning the strand is substantially reduce as compared to the mechanism accomplishing similar functions in prior carriers.

The aforementioned and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent, are attained by the braider carrier now to be described. It will be understood that the carrier may be employed without modification in braiders in which the braider deck is in either a vertical, horizontal or intermediate plane. However, for the purpose of convenience only and without limiting the use of the carrier in any way, in the following description it will be assumed that the braider deck is in a horizontal plane with the carriers positioned thereabove.

The braider carrier of the invention comprises a frame structure including a base member and a bobbin supporting spindle or post projecting upwardly therefrom, and additionally comprises means supported by the frame structure in overlying relationship to the bobbin for taking up, or compensating for, the slack which would otherwise occur at intervals in the braiding strand as the carrier travels in its serpentine path around the braiding point and for applying substantially uniform tension to the strand during such travel.

The preferred means employed to perform the above-mentioned functions comprises an arm (herein termed a "compensator arm") pivotally mounted at the longitudinal center thereof, and with the pivot point in axial alignment with the bobbin-supporting spindle, on a frame member overlying the yarn supply bobbin, the arm having sheaves affixed adjacent the opposite ends thereof for guiding the strands in what is here termed an S or Z path. The compensator arm is urged to rotate in a direction to tension the strand by a torsion spring having associated means to adjust the torque exerted thereby. The bobbin carrying the strand supply is normally held against rotation as by a clutch mechanism which is released at times, under the influence of the compensator arm, to permit pay-off of the strand from the bobbin when an additional length of the strand is required for the braiding operation. The frame member referred to above which supports the compensator arm and which also supports the torsion spring and the clutch mechanism comprises a hub element which is hingedly connected to a fixed vertically-extending post forming a portion of the carrier frame. This construction permits the ready removal or swinging out of the strand-tensioning and controlling elements when a bobbin is to be replaced.

The advantageous features of the construction include the ability to maintain the mass of the compensator arm at a minimum, thereby permitting high speeds to be employed. Also, the advantageous features include the ease with which the strand may be threaded and the elimination of the customary braking or sliding elements and the necessity of a pay-out eye or swivel device. The construction also affords ample space for an appropriately large torsion spring which reduces tension variation in the strand, as it is fed to the braiding point, to a minimum.

A substantial field of use of the carrier of the invention is in braiding machines of the type employed for the reinforcement of high pressure hose and the like with metallic strands. However, its field of use is not so limited as the carrier may be equally well employed in the production of other braided products such as, for example, those composed of textile or other nonmetallic strands. In this connection, the provision of means, previously mentioned, to adjust the force or torque exerted on the compensator arm by the torsion spring is of critical importance as it permits the tension imparted to the strand to be selected as required by the particular strand material employed or the product to be produced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with certain parts broken away and other parts omitted, or a braider carrier in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, with certain lower parts omitted for clearance of illustration, of the braider carrier of FIG. 1, the view illustrating the position of a compensator arm of the carrier at one stage in the operation of the carrier;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the position of the compensator arm of the carrier at another stage in the operation of the carrier;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 2 and also illustrating certain lower parts of the carrier not disclosed in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the movement of a carrier of the invention in its serpentine path around a braiding point during the braiding operation.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1-4, a braider carrier incorporating the instant invention and indicated generally by the reference character 10 in FIG. 1 has a frame structure including a base plate 12 affixed to a column 14, the upwardly-extending portion of which defines a bobbin-supporting spindle or post 15. The column 14 also carries a foot (not shown) for cooperation with the drive elements of the braider, as is conventional; the foot in the instant case, however, suitably being of the construction as disclosed in Applicant's copending application Ser. No. 280,613 previously referred to.

Base member 12 has a projecting arm 16 (see FIG. 4) supporting, as by being formed integrally therewith, an upwardly-extending frame member or post 18. The upper end of post 18 is connected to a strut element 20 as by a hinge 22 suitably comprising (see FIG. 1) a projecting portion 24 of the post of reduced width received between wing members 26 of the strut element and a hinge pin 28 penetrating wing members 26 and projection 24. Strut element 20 includes an upwardly-projecting portion 25 connected, as by being formed integrally therewith or welded thereto, to a nonrotatable hub member 30 of the carrier frame structure. An arm 32 suitably formed integrally with strut element 20 projects upwardly therefrom and, when the parts are in the assembled position illustrated in FIG. 4, is substantially in alignment with, but in somewhat twisted relationship with respect to, post 18. Arm 32 supports a rotatable sheave 34 as by a pin 36 projecting from the arm. Hub 30 also has a second arm 33 projecting upwardly and outwardly of the hub. Arm 33 rotatably supports a sheave 35 as by a pin 37. As disclosed particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the central points of sheaves 34 and 35 are substantially diametrically opposite to each other and the sheaves lie in substantially parallel vertical planes in more and less than right angular relationship to the vertical diametrical plane of said central points.

When the carrier is prepared for operation a bobbin 38, having a longitudinally-extending central bore, is mounted on bobbin support spindle 15 between hub 30 and base member 12 with antifriction bearings 42 of any suitable type interposed between the inner wall of the bore and the spindle. Bobbin 38 is adapted to carry a supply 40 of the strand material to be braided, such as wire, textile or other strands required for the production of the particular braid product desired. Frame member or post 18, previously referred to, supports a baler bar 44 of conventional type, the baler bar being mounted adjacent a recessed portion of the post and including axially positioned pins 46 projecting from the ends thereof and received within bearing openings in ears 48 extending outwardly from the post. Post 18 also supports a rotatable sheave 50 as by pin 52.

A slack take-up and strand-tensioning mechanism is positioned above the bobbin, the mechanism including a compensator arm 56 mounted at its longitudinal center for rocking or oscillating movements on an upwardly-projecting cylindrical element 58 of hub 30 which is in axial alignment with the bobbin spindle or post 15. Suitably for this purpose, the compensator arm has a central bore receiving the element 58 with antifriction bearing members 60 of any desired type interposed therebetween. The opposite ends of the compensator arm carry sheaves 62 and 64 mounted for rotation on pins 66 and 68 respectively projecting upwardly from the compensator arm. The sheaves are spaced equidistant from the pivot point of the arm and are positioned at a level that the groove of sheave 62 is substantially in horizontal alignment with the lower peripheral portion of the groove of sheave 35 and the groove of sheave 64 is substantially in horizontal alignment with the upper peripheral portion of the groove of sheave 34.

Affixed to the respective end portions of the compensator arm in any suitable manner, as by being welded thereto or formed integrally therewith, are arcuate counterclockwise projecting arms 69 and 70, each arm carrying a pair of grooved rollers or sheaves 71 rotatably mounted at the level of sheaves 62 and 64 on pins 72. The sheaves 71 carried by arm 69 are so positioned and are of such diameter that they will successively guide the braiding strand to sheave 35 as compensator arm 56 rotates from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 toward the position illustrated in FIG. 2, said sheaves 71 thereafter passing between arm 33 and sheave 35 as the compensator approaches the position of FIG. 2. Guide sheaves 71 of arm 69 will also perform equivalent functions upon the return rotation of the compensator arm to the position of FIG. 3. Similarly, the sheaves 71 carried by arm 70 are so positioned and are of such diameter that they will successively guide the braiding strand between sheaves 34 and 64, as the compensator arm 56 rotates or oscillates between its positions as shown in FIG. 2 and 3, without contact with sheave 34.

In addition to the compensator arm, the slack take-up and strand-tensioning mechanism includes a torsion spring 74 having a right-angle end portion or tang 75 (see FIG. 1) projecting from the upper coil of the spring and received within a perforation in an ear 76 of the compensator arm. The lower coil of torsion spring 74 has a downwardly-projecting right-angle end portion or tang 78 received within a selected one of a plurality of notches 80 formed in an outwardly-projecting flange portion 82 of hub 30, portion 82 suitably being at the level of the hinged inwardly-directed arm of strut 20. The torsion spring is of a character to urge rotation of compensator arm 56 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The carrier of the invention also includes mechanism to normally prevent rotation of bobbin 38 relatively to bobbin spindle post 15 and other fixed parts of the carrier, but to release it for pay-off of the strand when that is required in the braiding operation. The mechanism for this purpose may be selected from one of several known types such as brakes, spring clutches, and roller clutches, the final selection depending upon cost factors, product requirements and the like, as well as the facility of the mechanism to be released from its clutching function at the proper time. In the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated, the bobbin-holding and releasing means comprises a wrapped clutch spring 84 surrounding a portion 85 of the peripheral surface of hub 30 and a vertically-aligned peripheral surface 86 of a rotatable hub 87, the hub 87 being received in a circumferentially recessed portion 88 of hub 30. Spring clutch 84 is of a character that, when unrestrained, it will clutchingly engage the surfaces 85 and 86 and prevent relative rotation of the hubs 30 and 87. As illustrated particularly in FIG. 4, rotatable hub 87, which has an inner diameter sufficiently less than the diameter of the recessed portion 88 of hub 30 as to permit ready rotation with respect thereto when the clutch is released, is supported on hub 30 by a retaining ring 92 received in an annular groove 94 in hub 30 and projecting therebeyond into an undercut 90 provided in the rotatable hub.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a circumferential flange portion 96 of rotatable hub 86 carries at least one, but preferably several, downwardly-projecting fins 98, the fins being snugly received within notches 100 in the upper end portion or flange 102 of bobbin 38. As a consequence, the bobbin will rotate or be held against rotation in correspondence with rotatable hub 86. The upper coil or clutch spring 84 includes an upwardly-extending end portion or tang 97 received within a correspondingly shaped recess or bore in the upper horizontal portion of strut 20, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The lower coil of clutch spring 84 includes an outwardly-projecting end portion or tang 104 received within a recess or notch in the lower arm of a lever member 91 mounted for rocking movement on the vertical portion of strut 20 ad by pivot pin 93. The other arm of the lever member projects upwardly to a position in which it is first contacted and then moved in a counterclockwise direction by compensator arm 56 when the latter is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to its terminal position illustrated in FIG. 2. Clutch spring 84 is of a type that its clutching action is released upon relatively minor displacement of tang 104 in the clockwise direction upon the application of a relatively light force to the upper arm of lever member 91 by the compensator arm.

As will be observed, hub 30 and the various parts carried thereby, including the compensator arm, torsion spring, spring clutch and other elements, may be swung on hinge 22 to a position sufficiently remote from bobbin spindle 15 to permit ready removal and replacement of a bobbin. In order to ensure maintenance of hub 30 and its associated parts in the positions illustrated in FIG. 4 during the operation of the braider, suitably a pin 105 is employed, the pin having a head portion 106 which may be of integral construction or, alternatively, include a separate washer 108, overlying the upper end of element 58 and a portion of the bearing 60, and also having a lower threaded end 110 received within a threaded bore extending axially of bobbin spindle 14.

In preparation for the operation of a braiding machine, preferably of the construction disclosed in Applicant's said copending application Ser. No. 280,631, and which employs the carriers described above, pin 105 of each carrier is first removed and hub 30 and the parts associated therewith are swung on hinge 22 to a position sufficiently remote from bobbin support spindle 14 that a bobbin carrying a supply of the selected strand material may be slipped onto the spindle. Hub 30 and the attendant parts are then swung back to the position as illustrated in FIG. 4 and pin 105 reinserted to maintain hub 30 in locked position relatively to spindle 14. The clutching function of spring 84 is released as by moving the upper arm of lever member 91 in a counterclockwise direction by any suitable means, such as by manual rotation of the compensator arm 56 to bring it into contact with and thereafter rock the lever member, and a strand 111 is drawn from the supply 40 partially around baler bar 44 and partially around the groove of each of sheaves 50 and 34. From sheave 34 the strand is drawn around the outer peripheral portion of the grooves of strand guide sheaves 71 carried by arm 70 and then in clockwise direction partially around the groove of sheave 64. From sheave 64 the strand is drawn to sheave 62 and in a counterclockwise direction partially around the groove thereof, around outer peripheral portions of the grooves of guide sheaves 71 carried by arm 69, partially around the groove of sheave 36 from the lower to the upper peripheral portion thereof, and thence to the braiding point 112 indicated in FIG. 5. The pressure exerted on the upper arm of lever member 91 is then released as by clockwise rotation of the compensator arm to permit the clutch spring 84 to again assert its clutching function. The torque to be asserted against the compensator arm by torsion spring 74 is adjusted to that required for the particular braiding operation by positioning tang 78 in a selected notch 80.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a portion of the sinuous or serpentine path taken by a braider carrier of the instant invention as it travels in a clockwise direction around the braiding point 112 is illustrated, in being understood that while only one such carrier is shown, a multiple number of carriers will follow the same path, as is conventional. Also, it will be understood that, as is conventional, a same number of carriers will travel in a similar path, but in a counterclockwise direction around the braiding point, the paths having carrier cross-over points at the B and D locations shown in FIG. 5 and corresponding points.

The braiding machine in which the carriers are employed is, as above noted, preferably of the construction disclosed in Applicant's copending application Ser. No. 280,631 whereby, due to the controlled rotation of each carrier on its own axis, the strand pay-off point of each carrier, defined in the instant carrier by sheave 35, maintains a substantially constant orientation to the braiding point 112. When the carrier is in position A of FIG. 5, namely at a nearest location to the braiding point, compensator arm 56 will be in the position illustrated in FIG. 3 with tension applied to the strand by the torsion spring 74. Also, at this stage clutch spring 84 will be in its clutching condition, maintaining the rotatable hub 86 against rotation relatively to hub 30, whereby the bobbin 38 is held against rotation relatively to the bobbin-support post or spindle 15. Hence, no pay-off of the strand is permitted at this time. As the carrier moves from position A through position B and approaches position C, compensator arm 56 is rotated, by the change to a strand demand status, in a counterclockwise direction and against the force of spring 74 until the arm reaches a position in which it is in contact with the upper arm of lever member 91. Further minor counterclockwise rotation of the compensator arm to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, as the carrier moves to position C, rocks the lever member sufficiently to release the clutching action of clutch spring 84 and permit rotation of the bobbin 38 and withdrawal of a length of the strand material therefrom to provide a pay-out supply thereof as required for the braiding operation until the clutch is again released.

Upon further movement of the carrier to and through position D and finally to position E, namely toward the braiding point 112, the compensator arm is rotated in a clockwise direction by the torsion spring, a first part of such movement withdrawing the arm from its contact with the upper arm of lever member 91 and permitting clutch spring 84 to again perform its clutch function. The further clockwise rotation of the compensator arm also takes up the slack in the strand as the length of strand extending between sheave 35 and the braiding point decreases and maintains the strand under controlled tension. As will be understood, the above-described operations will be repeated during each movement of each carrier from a position in which it is nearest to the braiding point to a position in which it is most remote therefrom and then back to a position nearest the braiding point.

The braider carrier above described fully attains the several objects of the invention, as previously set forth, and provides additional advantages, as is readily apparent. For example, inasmuch as the several elements around which the braiding strand is passed are fully exposed, the carrier may be easily threaded. Also, the location of the strand control and tensioning mechanism above the bobbin permits the use of a bobbin of maximum strand-carrying capacity, as previously mentioned, and also places the mass of the strand supply in the most desirable location, namely as close as possible to the carrier-propelling means. In addition, the space available for the strand-tensioning torsion spring 74 permits the use of a relatively large torsion spring whereby variation in the tension of the braiding strand as the carrier moves toward and away from the braiding point is reduced to a minimum. Also, the adjustable feature of the torsion spring permits the force supplied by it to the compensator arm to be readily selected to conform to the requirements of virtually any strand material. A further important feature of the braider carrier of the invention is the arrangement of the strand let-off means including the hubs 30 and 86 and the clutch spring 84, the slack take-up and strand-tensioning means including the compensator arm 56 and torsion spring 74 and other associated parts, and the strand guide sheaves 34 and 35 and their supporting posts, as a single integrated unit movable between operative and inoperative positions.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a braider carrier for a maypole-type braider, said carrier having a frame structure including means for rotatably supporting a bobbin having a braiding strand wound thereon, means providing for the withdrawal of lengths of said strand from said bobbin and means for taking up slack in and applying tension to the strand withdrawn from a bobbin mounted on said bobbin supporting means, the improvement wherein said slack take-up and strand-tensioning means comprises a pair of strand guide elements carried by said frame structure in fixed positions relatively thereof and oscillatory means for guiding a strand in a substantially S or Z path between said strand guide elements of said pair.

2. A braider carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said oscillatory means for guiding a strand in an S or Z path between said strand guide elements comprises a compensator arm, strand guide means carried by said arm, and pivot means mounted said arm for oscillation.

3. A braider carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said strand guide means comprise strand guide members on opposite sides of said pivot means and spaced therefrom.

4. A braider carrier as defined in claim 3 wherein said slack take-up and strand-tensioning means additionally comprises spring means and there is means for causing cooperation between said spring means and said compensator arm.

5. A braider carrier as defined in claim 4 wherein said spring means is a torsion spring.

6. A braider carrier as defined in claim 4 wherein there is means for adjusting the force of said spring means to vary the tension applied to the strand.

7. A braider carrier as defined in claim 5 wherein said torsion spring comprises a coil of wire terminating in end portions and there is means affixing one of said end portions of said wire to said compensator arm and there is means affixing the other of said end portions of said wire to an element of said frame structure.

8. A braider carrier as defined in claim 7 wherein there is means for readily adjusting the torque exerted by said torsion spring.

9. A braider carrier as defined in claim 3 wherein said compensator arm supports means for guiding a strand from one of said pair of strand guide elements to one of said strand guide members and also supports means for guiding a strand from the other of said strand guide members to the other of said strand guide elements.

10. A braider carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said means providing for the withdrawal of strand lengths from a bobbin comprises a clutch which, when in clutching operation, maintains said bobbin against rotation, and wherein said improvement additionally includes means operated by said compensator arm for releasing said clutch to permit rotation of said bobbin to provide pay-out supplies of said strands.

11. In a braider carrier as defined in claim 10, the further improvement wherein said clutch comprises a nonrotatable hub member of said frame structure, a rotatable hub element, means for releasably locking said rotatable hub element to a bobbin, and a coil spring mounted for cooperation with said nonrotatable hub memeber and said rotatable hub element.

12. A braider carrier as defined in claim 11 wherein said means operated by said compensator arm for releasing said clutch comprises a projecting end portion of said coil spring and a rockable lever member in contact therewith, said lever member including a portion projecting into the path of oscillatory movement of said compensator arm for rocking movement thereby.

13. In a braider carrier having a frame structure including a base member having a support for a braiding strand supply bobbin, means providing for the withdrawal of strand lengths from a bobbin mounted on said support, and means for taking up slack in and for applying tension to said strand withdrawn from said bobbin, the improvement wherein said frame structure includes a projecting member and additionally includes frame elements overlying said bobbin and supporting said strand-tensioning and strand length compensating means, and there is hinge means connecting said frame elements to said projecting member whereby said frame elements may be rotated on said hinge means to a position sufficiently remote from said bobbin support to permit the removal and replacement of bobbins.

14. A braider carrier as defined in claim 13 wherein said frame elements include a hub member by which other of said frame elements are supported, and said hub member includes an arm of said hinge.

15. A braider carrier as defined in claim 14 wherein there is a releasable means for connecting said hub element to said bobbin support for operation of said carrier.

16. In a braider carrier including support means for a rotatable strand supply bobbin, means for, at certain times, permitting rotation of a bobbin on said support for withdrawal of a strand therefrom and at other times restraining such rotation, means for taking up slack in a strand and for applying tension thereto, and means for guiding a strand through said slack take-up and tensioning means and toward a braiding point, the improvement wherein there is means supporting said means for permitting rotation of a bobbin at times and restraining said rotation at other times, said means for taking up slack in a strand and for applying tension thereto, and said strand guiding means, as an integrated unit, and for movement of said integrated unit between operative and inoperative positions.