Device for holding and releasing bobbin tubes in a pot spinning machine

A device for holding and releasing bobbin tubes on a pot spinning station having a yarn guide, said device comprising:

• a bobbin tube holding body having a longitudinal axis, an interior passage along said axis, and a lower end;
• said lower end having an outer surface and being adapted to fit within a bobbin tube;
• said yarn guide being moveably mounted in said passage of said bobbin holding body for movement with respect to said bobbin holding body along a predetermined path aligned with said axis;
• a plurality of gripping elements disposed at said lower end concentrically with respect to said axis, each of said gripping elements being moveable between an extended position extending radially outward of said outer surface of said lower end for gripping engagement of said bobbin tube, and a retracted position radially inward of said outer surface out of gripping engagement with said bobbin tube;
• and
• said gripping elements being movable from each of said positions to the other said position in response to movement of said yarn guide along said path, whereby gripping of said bobbin tube by said gripping elements will be engaged and released by movement of said yarn guide.