Apparatus for introducing inserts in tubular braided articles

Claim 2

An attachment for use in combination with a machine for continuously producing tubular, braided articles, in which said machine includes an overhead for receiving continuous threads or the like, the improvement in which said attachment comprises: a member having a guide channel therethrough for receiving a complementally sectioned continuous web from which insert elements are to be formed and in which sections are of such length that they will lead into the tubular braid being formed at said overhead; said member including an intermediate passage intersecting said guide channel; insert element removing means reciprocably supported in said intermediate passage for periodically striking an insert element from the web; and means on said member for engaging said web and drawing it through the guide channel after the insert elements have been struck.

Claim 3

The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for engaging and removing said web comprises guide means at the exit of said guide channel whereby the insert element is engaged by the overhead and the web is drawn laterally away from said guide channel.

Claim 4

The The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insert element removing means comprises a die-and-shoe assembly reciprocably supported in said intermediate passage.

Claim 5

The attachment as claimed in claim 3, including spring means in said intermediate passage in engagement with said die-and-shoe assembly and normally urging said assembly to an oriented position relative to said guide channel, and force transmitting means operatively connected to said assembly for periodically moving the assembly transversely relative to said guide channel and in opposition to said spring means.

Claim 6

An attachment for machines for producing tubular braids and including an overhead for gathering threads and issuing a tubular braid therefrom, which comprises: a guide assembly for leading a strip of material toward said overhead and then directing the strip of material away from said overhead to waste, said assembly including means for cutting inserts from the strip of material, which inserts are projected to said overhead and incorporated in the hollow interior of the tubular braid being formed therein, roller means on said attachment for changing the direction of the strip as inserts are removed therefrom, said guide assembly comprising a main body portion providing a channel receiving the strip and having a recess in one side of the channel, a shoe guided with the recess, spring means urging said shoe into flush engagement with a wall of the channel, and die means opposite the shoe for cutting inserts from said strip which inserts are returned to the body of the strip by said shoe.

Claim 7

An attachment for machines for producing tubular braids and including an overhead for gathering threads and issuing a tubular braid therefrom, which comprises: a guide assembly for leading a strip of material toward said overhead and then directing the strip of material away from said overhead to waste, said assembly including means for cutting inserts from the strip of material, which inserts are projected to said overhead and incorporated in the hollow interior of the tubular braid being formed therein, roller means on said attachment for changing the direction of the strip as inserts are removed therefrom, said guide assembly comprising a main body portion providing a channel receiving the strip and having a recess in one side of the channel, a shoe guided with the recess, spring means urging said shoe into flush engagement with a wall of the channel, and die means opposite the shoe for cutting inserts from said strip which inserts are returned to the body of the strip by said shoe.