Fiber delivery system
AssigneeShaw Industries Group, Inc.
InventorsJamie Lynn Johnson, Eric Walter Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for transporting fiber ends can comprise a fiber supply assembly that supplies fiber along a first axis. A plurality of eyeboards can be positioned along the first axis. Each eyeboard can define a plurality of openings therethrough. Each opening of the plurality of openings can be configured to receive therethrough a fiber from the fiber supply assembly. A track can extend along the first axis. The track can pass proximate to each eyeboard of the at least one eyeboard. A carriage can be movable along the track. The carriage can define at least one fiber attachment element. An actuator can be configured to move the carriage along the track.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a fiber supply assembly that supplies fiber along a first axis;
- at least one eyeboard defining a plurality of openings therethrough from a first side to a second side, wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is configured to receive therethrough a fiber from the fiber supply assembly;
- a track extending along the first axis, wherein the track passes proximate to each eyeboard of the at least one eyeboard;
- a carriage that is movable along the track from a first position on the first side of a first eyeboard of the at least one eyeboard to a second position on the second side of the first eyeboard, wherein the carriage defines at least one fiber attachment element;
- and
- an actuator that is configured to move the carriage along the track.
A method comprising:
- coupling a free end of a fiber to a carriage of a fiber delivery system, the carriage defining at least one fiber attachment element, the fiber delivery system further comprising:
- a fiber supply assembly that supplies fiber along a first axis;
- at least one eyeboard defining a plurality of openings therethrough from a first side to a second side, wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is configured to receive therethrough a fiber from the fiber supply assembly;
- a track extending along the first axis, wherein the track passes proximate to each eyeboard of the at least one eyeboard, wherein the carriage is movable along the track;
- and
- an actuator that is configured to move the carriage along the track;
- causing the actuator to move the carriage along the track in a first direction until the carriage is proximate an eyeboard of the at least one eyeboard;
- and
- causing the actuator to move from a first position on the first side of a first eyeboard of the at least one eyeboard to a second position on the second side of the first eyeboard.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.