Thread supply device for textile machines

Claim 2

In a thread supply device for a textile machine, said supply device including drum means upon which a thread can be tangentially wound to form an intermediate thread storage and thread guiding means for guiding the thread withdrawn from said drum means, the improvement comprising means mounting said thread guiding means for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the thread passing through said thread guiding means, and biasing means coacting with said thread guiding means for urging same in said transverse direction to form a compensating loop in the thread as it is withdrawn from said drum means.

Claim 3

A thread supply device according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means mounts said thread guiding means for movement relative to said drum means between a first position wherein said thread guiding means is spaced radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting positive thread supply from said drum means and a second position wherein said thread guiding means is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting intermittent thread supply from said drum means.

Claim 4

A thread supply device according to claim 2, wherein said mounting means includes lever means mounted for pivotal movement about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said drum means, said lever means being pivotally movable between said first and second positions, and said thread guiding means being mounted on said lever means adjacent the free end thereof.

Claim 5

A thread supply device according to claim 2, further including monitoring means operative at least when said thread guiding means is in said first positiOn for sensing when a breakage occurs in the thread as withdrawn from said drum means.

Claim 6

A thread supply device according to claim 4, wherein said monitoring means includes cut-off means for deactivating a textile machine associated with said thread supply device, said cut-off device being activated in response to movement of said thread guiding means by said biasing means into a third position which is spaced from said first position and is located on the side thereof opposite said second position, said thread guiding means being moved into said third position by said biasing means when said withdrawn thread experiences a breakage.

Claim 7

A thread supply device according to claim 1, wherein said thread guiding means is normally maintained in a first position by the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said biasing means normally urging said thread guiding means in said transverse direction toward a second position which is spaced from said first position, said biasing means causing said thread guiding means to be moved into said second position upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, and monitoring means for sensing the presence of a breakage in the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said monitoring means including a cut-off device associated with a textile machine used in conjunction with said thread supply device for deactivating said textile machine upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, said cut-off device being actuated for deactivating said textile machine upon movement of said thread guiding means into said second position.

Claim 8

A thread supply device according to claim 1, further including control means coacting with the thread as withdrawn from said drum means for permitting either a positive or an intermittent thread supply from said drum means to a textile machine, said control means including a thread guide element engaged with the thread as withdrawn from said drum means and movable relative to said drum means between a first location spaced radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said drum for permitting a positive thread supply and a second location located substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting an intermittent thread supply, said thread guide element when in said first location being disposed for engagement with the withdrawn thread at a point thereon which has already been removed from engagement with the drum means but has not yet passed through said thread guiding means.

Claim 9

A thread supply device according to claim 7, wherein the control means comprises an elongated lever mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said drum means, said thread guide element being mounted on said lever adjacent the free end thereof and being movable between said first and second locations in response to swinging movement of said lever relative to said drum means.

Claim 10

A thread supply device according to claim 8, wherein said mounting means includes a second elongated lever mounted for pivotal movement relative to said drum means about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said drum means, said thread guiding means being mounted on said second lever adjacent the free end thereof, and the thread guide element when in said first location being located radially between said thread guiding means and the external periphery of said drum means.

Claim 11

A thread supply device according to claim 9, wherein said thread guiding means is normally maintained in a first position by the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said biasing means normally urging said thread guiding means in said transverse direction toward a second position which is spaced from said first position, said biasing means causing said thread guiding means to be moved into said second position upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, and monitoring means for sensing the presence of a breakage in the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said monitorIng means including a cut-off device associated with a textile machine used in conjunction with said thread supply device for deactivating said textile machine upon breakage of said withdrawn thread, said cutoff device being actuated for deactivating said textile machine upon movement of said thread guiding means into said second position.

Claim 12

A thread supply device according to claim 1, further including thread support means positioned externally of said drum means and disposed for engaging the thread withdrawn from said drum means, said support means including a thread support element disposed radially outwardly from the circumference of said drum means and located between the circumference of the drum means and said thread guiding means for supportingly engaging the withdrawn thread.

Claim 13

A thread supply device according to claim 11, further including means mounting said thread support means for permitting adjustment in the position of same relative to said drum means in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said drum means.

Claim 14

A thread supply device according to claim 11, wherein said thread guiding means includes a thread engaging member movable relative to said drum means between a first position spaced radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting positive thread supply from said drum means and a second position located substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said drum means for permitting intermittent thread supply from said drum means.