US 6,186,188 B1 · Weaving machine system and mechanism for coupling lifting devices and warp thread harness cards

Abstract

A coupling device for the releasable connection of a lifting element, in particular of a jacquard machine, to at least one lifting element of a warp thread in a weaving machine. The preferred coupling device connects a sinker cord of a jacquard machine to a harness cord of the harness of a weaving machine. The coupling device has a first coupling part assigned to the lifting element and a second coupling part assigned to the harness cord. The coupling parts execute a radial relative movement during coupling and uncoupling. The coupling device provides for rotational alignment of the two coupling parts with one another. At least one coupling part is assigned or capable of being assigned a rotational alignment mechanism. The coupling device is used in a system which rapidly connects and disconnects many connectors at the same time. The system includes a positioning mechanism for vertically moving two positioning elements which operate the coupling devices between standby and operative positions, and for horizontally moving at least one of the positioning elements to cause the coupling parts of each coupling device to interlock and disengage. The positioning elements also cooperate with portions of at least one of the coupling parts to rotationally align the coupling parts so they may interlock.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A coupling device for releasably connecting a lifting element to at least one harness cord of a weaving machine, the coupling device comprising:

a first elongated coupling part having a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for connection to the lifting element;
and
a second elongated coupling part having a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for connection to the harness cord;
the first and second coupling parts being operable to interlock with each other at their respective second ends when the coupling parts are in a selected rotational and longitudinal alignment relative to each other and are moved toward each other in a direction transverse to their respective axes of elongation, and to disengage when the coupling parts are moved away from each other in the transverse direction;
at least one of the coupling parts including a rotational alignment member adapted to engage with a locating tool for rotational alignment of the two coupling parts to one another.

2 more elements

A system comprising:

a jacquard machine;
a weaving machine positioned below the jacquard machine;
a plurality of sinker cords extending downwardly from the jacquard machine;
a plurality of harness cords for lifting warp threads on the weaving machine;
a plurality of releasable coupling devices, each coupling device comprising:
a first elongated coupling part having a first end which connects to one of the sinker cords and a second end;
and
a second elongated coupling part having a first end which connects to at least one of the harness cords, and a second end;
the coupling parts being operable to interlock with each other at their respective second ends when the coupling parts are in a selected rotational and longitudinal alignment relative to each other and are moved toward each other in a direction transverse to their respective axes of elongation, and to disengage when the coupling parts are moved away from each other in the transverse direction;
and
a positioning mechanism including first and second positioning elements which respectively engage with the first and second coupling parts to position the coupling parts in the selected rotational and longitudinal alignment relative to each other and to interlock and release the coupling parts by moving them toward and away from each other in a direction transverse to their respective axes of elongation.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Weaving machine system and mechanism for coupling lifting devices and warp thread harness cards

Life of this patent

Weaving machine system and mechanism for coupling lifting devices and warp thread harness cards

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26