Textile thread winder with transfer tail forming device

Claim 1

The combination of: textile thread winding apparatus having a driven rotating drive roll, at least one freely rotatable package roll positioned on one side of said drive roll for engagement therewith to be driven thereby for the winding of thread and mounted for linear movement away from said drive roll as the thread package builds thereon, a thread traversing mechanism positioned on the other side of said drive roll for receiving the thread from a source and guiding the thread around said drive roll to said package roll while traversing the thread longitudinally of said drive roll, carriage means including a stationary portion and a movable portion carried by said stationary portion for reciprocating linear movement and being secured to and carrying said package roll for reciprocating linear movement therewith, and means for maintaining a desired predetermined pressure relationship between said drive roll and said package roll and for linearly driving said package roll and comprising a variable torque reversible motor, a screw shaft connected to and rotated by said torque motor and a nut secured to said movable carriage portion and receiving said screw shaft therethrough for converting rotary movement of said screw shaft into linear movement of said movable carriage portion and package roll carried thereby; and means associated with said winding apparatus for holding the thread out of reception by said traversing mechanism for initial winding on said package roll outside of the traversed path until a desired quantity of thread is wound for forming a transfer tail and for subsequent releasing of the thread for reception and traversing by said traversing mechanism.