Yarn tensioning device

Claim 2

A tension device comprising: a. a housing, said housing having a yarn passageway extending therethrough, said yarn passageway having a small diameter section and a large diameter section; b. an uninterrupted annular seat located in said large diameter section of said passageway at the junction of said large and small diameter sections, said seat having an annular opening passing therethrough and presenting a smooth arcuate surface extending from said opening outwardly therefrom, the curvature of said arcuate surface being in a direction opposite the curvature of a spherical element receivable thereat; and c. a spherical element receivable in said large diameter section of said passageway, said spherical element having a diameter less than the length of said large diameter section of said passageway and said large diameter section of said passageway at said seat and said spherical element being comparatively sized such that said spherical element may reside at said seat out of contact with walls of said large diameter section of said passageway when no yarn is passing through said opening and such that substantial lateral movement of said spherical element is precluded whereby said spherical element continuously controls tension on a yarn passing thereby.

Claim 3

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing and seat of said device are of integral construction.

Claim 4

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 2 wherein said device is manufactured of a ceramic material.

Claim 5

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said large diameter section of said yarn passageway includes a large diameter section portion, a medium diameter portion, and wherein said seat is provided by an insert received in said small diameter section of said passageway.

Claim 6

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 4 wherein the medium diameter portion of said large diameter section is provided adjacent said seat.

Claim 7

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 5 wherein said large diameter portion tapers in to said medium diameter portion.

Claim 8

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said yarn passageway has straight walls adjacent said seat.

Claim 9

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing has mounting means secured thereto.

Claim 10

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 8 wherein said mounting means comprise a member secured to said housing and extending outwardly therefrom, said member having an elongated slot therealong.

Claim 11

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 9 wherein said member is integral with said housing.

Claim 12

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality oF spherical elements are received in said passageway, said spherical element being positioned one above the other.

Claim 13

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said yarn passageway extends above said seat throughout said housing at no substantial decrease in diameter.

Claim 14

A tension device comprising: a. a plastic housing, said housing having a yarn passageway extending therethrough, said passageway having a large diameter section and a small diameter section, said large diameter section having walls defining same that extend generally axially with respect to the housing, said housing further having a mounting member secured thereto and extending outwardly therefrom; b. an abrasion resistant insert received in said small diameter section of said passageway, said insert being uninterrupted therearound and having an annular opening therethrough, said insert having arcuate surfaces around said opening, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature in a direction opposite the direction of curvature of a spherical element receivable thereat, said opening and arcuate surfaces defining a seat for a spherical element at the junction of said large and small diameter sections; and c. a spherical element receivable in said large diameter section of said passageway and being residable at said seat while not making contact with walls of said passageway when no yarn is passing through said opening, said spherical element having a diameter less than the length of said large diameter section of said passageway and the diameter of said large diameter section of said passageway at said seat being such that said spherical element is precluded from substantial lateral movement whereby said spherical element continuously tensions a yarn passing thereby.

Claim 15

A tension device comprising: a. a plastic housing, said housing having a yarn passageway extending therethrough, said passageway having a large diameter section and a small diameter section, said large diameter section having walls defining same that extend generally axially with respect to the housing, said housing further having a mounting member secured thereto and extending outwardly therefrom; b. an abrasion resistant insert received in said small diameter section of said passageway, said insert being uninterrupted therearound and having an annular opening therethrough, said insert having arcuate surfaces around said opening, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature in a direction opposite the direction of curvature of a spherical element receivable thereat, said opening and arcuate surfaces defining a seat for a spherical element at the junction of said large and small diameter sections; and c. a spherical element receivable in said large diameter section of said passageway and being residable at said seat while not making contact with walls of said passageway when no yarn is passing through said opening, said spherical element having a diameter less than the length of said large diameter section of said passageway and the diameter of said large diameter section of said passageway at said seat being such that said spherical element is precluded from substantial lateral movement whereby said spherical element continuously tensions a yarn passing thereby.

Claim 16

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 13 wherein said mounting member is integral with said housing and has an elongated slot therealong.

Claim 17

A yarn tension device as defined in claim 13 wherein said large diameter section of said passageway has a diameter at an upper end thereof that is at least as large as the diameter of the passageway at said seat.