Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
In an open-ended spinning unit having a first housing, a second housing connected to and disposable in confronting relation to the first housing, a spinning rotor rotatably carried in the first housing, means defining an air-collecting space surrounding the spinning rotor, a combing-out cylinder rotatably supported in the second housing, a sliver supply roller rotatably supported in the second housing in spaced relation to and cooperable with the combing-out cylinder to supply to the combing-out cylinder a sliver to be separated into fibers, a lid disposed in the second housing, a fiber supply duct supported in the second housing and communicating with the outlet of the combing-out cylinder, the supply duct extending through the lid in the second housing, and a takeoff duct communicating with the spinning rotor for withdrawing yarn therefrom, the improvement in which the spinning rotor has a vertical axis of rotation; in which the unit further comprises a separate motor disposed in the first housing for driving the spinning rotor; in which the takeoff duct extends coaxially upwardly from the spinning rotor; in which the second housing comprises means defining a cavity between a portion of the lid and the surrounding wall of the second housing; and in which a portion of the spinning rotor extends into the cavity of the second housing when the first and second housings are in confronting relation, the portion of the cavity between the extending portion of the spinning rotor and the surrounding wall of the second housing constituting the air-collection space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
In an open-ended spinning unit having a first housing, a second housing connected to and disposable in confronting relation to the first housing, a spinning rotor rotatably carried in the first housing, means defining an air-collecting space surrounding the spinning rotor, a combing-out cylinder rotatably supported in the second housing, a sliver supply roller rotatably supported in the second housing in spaced relation to and cooperable with the combing-out cylinder to supply to the combing-out cylinder a sliver to be separated into fibers, a lid disposed in the second housing, a fiber supply duct supported in the second housing and communicating with the outlet of the combing-out cylinder, the supply duct extending through the lid in the second housing, and a takeoff duct communicating with the spinning rotor for withdrawing yarn therefrom, the improvement in which the spinning rotor has a vertical axis of rotation; in which the unit further comprises a separate motor disposed in the first housing for driving the spinning rotor; in which the takeoff duct extends coaxially upwardly from the spinning rotor; in which the second housing comprises means defining a cavity between a portion of the lid and the surrounding wall of the second housing; and in which a portion of the spinning rotor extends into the cavity of the second housing when the first and second housings are in confronting relation, the portion of the cavity between the extending portion of the spinning rotor and the surrounding wall of the second housing constituting the air-collection space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A unit as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for pivotally mounting the first housing for movement between an operative position superposed on and confronting the second housing and an inoperative position spaced from the second housing, and stop means disposed in spaced relation to the first housing for limiting the pivotal movement of the first housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A unit as defined in claim 2, further comprising an elastic gasket carried by one of the respective confronting surfaces of the first and second housings for engagement with the other of the confronting surfaces when the first housing is in its operative position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A unit as defined in claim 2, further comprising a magnetic element carried by one of the confronting surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A unit as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pulley coaxial with an affixed to the combing-out cylinder, a transmission mechanism including a drive belt, and means disposed in the transmission mechanism for pivotally supporting the second housing for movement between an operative position in which said pulley is in engagement with the drive belt and an inoperative position in which said pulley is spaced from the belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A unit as defined in claim 5, in which the transmission mechanism further comprises a brake positioned to engage said pulley when the second housing is in its inoperative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A unit as defined in claim 5, further comprising a frame disposed around the transmission mechanism and having a flange, and in which the second housing has a pawl member engageable with the flange of the frame to secure the second housing in its operative position.