Patent US3845320A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3845320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for detecting the approaching end of a thread and a bobbin therefor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention teaches a bobbin having a plurality of parts on which a continuous length of thread may be wound such that when the main portion or length of the thread is unwound from the bobbin, a terminal portion or length of the thread may be utilized to indicate the approaching end of the thread. The bobbin includes parts about which the thread may be wound in a continuous manner but to separate portions of the thread from each other to enable the winding of the thread such that the terminal end of the thread may be detected with the use of a sensor structure.
Inventors
- 👤 R Winberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:46
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B59/00; D05B59/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In an apparatus for indicating the approaching end of a thread wound on a rotatable bobbin, said bobbin comprising two outer walls and a partition wall spaced therebetween such that a first portion of thread may be wound between one of said walls and said partition separate and contiguous with a second portion of the thread wound between the second of said walls and said partition, at least said one wall enabling the passage of light therethrough to sense the presence of thread wound between said one wall and said partition, a sensor comprising a source of light directed substantially perpendicular to the windings of the thread to pass light through said one wall and through said space between said one wall and partition substantially perpendicular to the windings of the thread and light detecting means to sense the light passing through the space between said one wall and said partition, and indicator means connected with said light detecting means to indicate the intensity of light passing through the space between said one wall and partition as the thread unwinds therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In an apparatus for indicating the approaching end of a thread wound on a rotatable bobbin, said bobbin comprising two outer walls and a partition wall spaced therebetween such that a first portion of thread may be wound between one of said walls and said partition separate and contiguous with a second portion of the thread wound between the second of said walls and said partition, at least said one wall enabling the passage of light therethrough to sense the presence of thread wound between said one wall and said partition, a sensor comprising a source of light directed substantially perpendicular to the windings of the thread to pass light through said one wall and through said space between said one wall and partition substantially perpendicular to the windings of the thread and light detecting means to sense the light passing through the space between said one wall and said partition, and indicator means connected with said light detecting means to indicate the intensity of light passing through the space between said one wall and partition as the thread unwinds therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
In an apparatus as in claim 1, each of said walls and partition enabling the passage of light therethrough from one side of said bobbin from said source, and said light detecting means being on the opposite side of said bobbin to detect the intensity of the light passing through said space between said one wall and partition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an apparatus as in claim 1, one of said walls having a light reflecting surface, said light source and light detecting means being on the same side of said bobbin, said light source being directed at said light reflecting surface such that the light reflected by said surface is Detected by said detecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
In an apparatus as in claim 3, said one of said walls having a light reflecting surface being said partition wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
In the method of determining the approaching end of a thread wound on a bobbin wherein the thread has a main portion thereof wound on one part of a bobbin contiguous with a terminal portion of the thread wound on another part of the same bobbin having a transparent outer wall, the method comprising unwinding the thread from the one part of the bobbin prior to unwinding the terminal portion from the other part of the bobbin, directing light at the thread through the transparent outer wall of the bobbin from a direction substantially perpendicular to the unwinding direction of movement of the thread wound in the other part of the bobbin, and directing a light detecting means in the direction from which the light directed at the other part of the bobbin is to be received to indicate the intensity of light passing through the other part of the bobbin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
In the method of determining the approaching end of a thread wound on a bobbin wherein the thread has a main portion thereof wound on one part of a bobbin contiguous with a terminal portion of the thread wound on another part of the same bobbin having a transparent outer wall, the method comprising unwinding the thread from the one part of the bobbin prior to unwinding the terminal portion from the other part of the bobbin, directing light at the thread through the transparent outer wall of the bobbin from a direction substantially perpendicular to the unwinding direction of movement of the thread wound in the other part of the bobbin, and directing a light detecting means in the direction from which the light directed at the other part of the bobbin is to be received to indicate the intensity of light passing through the other part of the bobbin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the method as in claim 5, and indicating the presence and intensity of light passing through the other part of the bobbin as the terminal portion of the thread is unwound therefrom.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |