Heald frame

Abstract

A heald frame (10) comprises two staves (12), two side frames (13), and connecting members (14). Each side frame (13) has two extending portions (31). Each connecting member (14) has: a holding member (16) that has a fixed portion (16a) which is fixed to a stave (12), and two flexible portions (16b) which extend from the fixed portion (16a) in a first direction (X) and are positioned on both sides of an extending portion (31) in the vertical direction (Z); and a bolt (17) that restrains the two flexible portions (16b) in the vertical direction (Z). Due to the bolt (17) restraining the two flexible portions (16b), the two flexible portions (16b) bend towards each other, and as a result, the extending portion (31) is sandwiched by the two flexible portions (16b).

Description

Heald Frame

[0001] The present disclosure relates to heald frames.

[0002] The loom includes a heald frame. The heald frame described in Patent Document 1 includes two rods and two support columns. The two rods are spaced apart in the vertical direction and extend in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The two support columns are located on both sides of the two rods in the first direction and extend in the vertical direction. Each of the support columns has an extension portion that extends toward the two rods.

[0003] Each rod is connected to one of the support columns by two abutment members and one clamp bolt. The two abutment members are spaced apart in the vertical direction and extend in a first direction. A portion of each abutment member is inserted into a pocket provided on the side of the rod. The clamp bolt restrains the two abutment members in the vertical direction. Each extension portion of the support column is located between the two abutment members. When one of the two abutment members moves toward the other, the extension portion is sandwiched between the two abutment members.

[0004] Patent No. 6097462

[0005] When a loom is in operation, the heald frame moves up and down, which generates stress at the joint between the rod and the support pillar. There is a demand for improved durability at the joint between the rod and the support pillar.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a heald frame includes two steves spaced apart in the vertical direction and extending in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, two side frames positioned on either side of the two steves in the first direction and extending in the vertical direction, and a connecting member connecting the steves to the side frames. Each of the side frames has an extending portion extending toward the two steves. Each of the connecting members has a fixed portion fixed to the steve, a holding member having two flexible portions extending from the fixed portion in the first direction and positioned on either side of the extending portion in the vertical direction, and a restraining member restraining the two flexible portions in the vertical direction. When the restraining member restrains the two flexible portions, the two flexible portions bend toward each other, and when the two flexible portions bend toward each other, the extending portion is sandwiched between the two flexible portions.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a front view of a heald frame. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heald frame taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the connecting member of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the holding member in a state where the two flexible parts are not restrained by the bolts.

[0008] An embodiment of a heald frame will be described. The heald frame is a component of a loom. In the following description, the direction in which the weft yarn is inserted is referred to as a first direction X. The first direction X is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. The direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the vertical direction Z is referred to as a second direction Y. The second direction Y is the direction in which the warp yarn is let out.

[0009] As shown in Fig. 1, the heald frame 10 includes two steves 12, two side frames 13, and four connecting members 14. The two steves 12 and the two side frames 13 form a rectangular frame. The steves 12 are not shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0010] The heald frame 10 holds a plurality of healds (not shown). The plurality of healds are arranged in the first direction X within the heald frame 10. A warp yarn is passed through each heald. When the loom is in operation, the heald frame 10 moves back and forth in the vertical direction Z.

[0011] <Steve> Two Steves 12 are provided spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. Each Steve 12 extends in a first direction X. Each Steve 12 has a first end and a second end in the first direction X. Of the two Steves 12, the Steve 12 located on the upper side is the first Steve 12a, and the Steve 12 located on the lower side is the second Steve 12b.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2 , each Steve 12 in this embodiment has two first walls 21 and two second walls 22. The two first walls 21 are spaced apart in the second direction Y. The two second walls 22 are spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. The two second walls 22 connect the two first walls 21 in the second direction Y. More specifically, of the two second walls 22, the upper second wall 22 connects the upper ends of the two first walls 21. Of the two second walls 22, the lower second wall 22 connects the lower ends of the two first walls 21. The Steve 12 has a hollow structure formed by the two first walls 21 and the two second walls 22.

[0013] 1 and 2 , each first wall 21 of this embodiment has a through-hole 21a. The through-hole 21a penetrates the first wall 21 in the second direction Y. The through-holes 21a are provided at both ends of the first wall 21 in the first direction X. The through-holes 21a are provided on a neutral axis A of the first wall 21 extending in the first direction X. The neutral axis A is located at a position where the stress generated in Steve 12 becomes zero when Steve 12 is bent.

[0014] <Side Frames> As shown in Figure 1, two side frames 13 are located on both sides of the two steves 12 in the first direction X. Each side frame 13 extends in the up-down direction Z. Of the two side frames 13, one side frame 13 is a first side frame 13a, and the other side frame 13 is a second side frame 13b.

[0015] Each side frame 13 has a frame main body 30 and two extension portions 31 that extend from the frame main body 30 toward the two steves 12. The extension portions 31 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the side frame 13. In this embodiment, the tip portions of the extension portions 31 are located inside the steves 12.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, each extension portion 31 of this embodiment is provided with a first bolt insertion hole 31a. The first bolt insertion hole 31a penetrates the extension portion 31 in the up-down direction Z. Each extension portion 31 has a corner 31b. The corner 31b is located at a portion where the upper surface of the extension portion 31 intersects with the tip surface of the extension portion 31, and at a portion where the lower surface of the extension portion 31 intersects with the tip surface of the extension portion 31.

[0017] <Connecting Members> As shown in FIG. 1 , each connecting member 14 connects one steve 12 to one side frame 13. The four connecting members 14 include a first connecting member 14a, a second connecting member 14b, a third connecting member 14c, and a fourth connecting member 14d. The first connecting member 14a connects a first end of the first steve 12a to the upper end of the first side frame 13a. The second connecting member 14b connects a second end of the first steve 12a to the upper end of the second side frame 13b. The third connecting member 14c connects a first end of the second steve 12b to the lower end of the first side frame 13a. The fourth connecting member 14d connects a second end of the second steve 12b to the lower end of the second side frame 13b.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the connecting member 14 includes two plate members 15, a retaining member 16, and a bolt 17, which is a restraining member. As shown in FIG. 2 , the two plate members 15 are provided within the Steve 12. The two plate members 15 are provided between the two first walls 21, spaced apart in the second direction Y. One plate member 15 abuts against the inner surface 21 b of one of the first walls 21. The other plate member 15 abuts against the inner surface 21 b of the other first wall 21. In this embodiment, each plate member 15 is fixed to the inner surface 21 b of the corresponding first wall 21 by adhesive 18 provided in the through-hole 21 a of the first wall 21. Thus, the two plate members 15 are fixed to the Steve 12.

[0019] 2 and 3, the holding member 16 has a fixed portion 16a fixed to the steve 12 and two flexible portions 16b extending from the fixed portion 16a in the first direction X and positioned on both sides of the extending portion 31 in the vertical direction Z. In Fig. 3, the fixed portion 16a is indicated by dot hatching.

[0020] The holding member 16 of this embodiment is composed of two shafts 60. The two shafts 60 are spaced apart in the vertical direction Z. Each shaft 60 extends in the first direction X. Both shafts 60 have the same shape. Each shaft 60 of this embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped. The cross-sectional shape of each shaft 60 is rectangular.

[0021] Each shaft 60 has a first portion 61 and a second portion 62. The second portion 62 is located closer to the side frame 13 in the first direction X than the first portion 61. The first portion 61 is located between the two plate members 15. As described above, the two plate members 15 are provided inside Steve 12. Therefore, a portion of the holding member 16 is provided inside Steve 12. The first portion 61 is fixed to each of the two plate members 15. As described above, the two plate members 15 are fixed to Steve 12. Therefore, a portion of the holding member 16 is fixed to Steve 12 via the two plate members 15.

[0022] The fixed portion 16a in this embodiment is composed of a first portion 61 of the shaft 60 located on the upper side and a first portion 61 of the shaft 60 located on the lower side. That is, the fixed portion 16a in this embodiment is composed of a portion of each of the two shafts 60 that is located between the two plate members 15 and is fixed to each of the two plate members 15.

[0023] The second portion 62 protrudes from between the two plate members 15 toward the side frame 13. The extension portion 31 is located between the second portions 62 of the two shafts 60. The second portion 62 is not fixed to the two plate members 15, and therefore can bend in the vertical direction Z.

[0024] In this embodiment, of the two flexible portions 16b, the upper flexible portion 16b is formed by the second portion 62 of the upper shaft 60 of the two shafts 60. Of the two flexible portions 16b, the lower flexible portion 16b is formed by the second portion 62 of the lower shaft 60 of the two shafts 60. In other words, the flexible portions 16b in this embodiment are formed by the portions of the two shafts 60 that are not fixed to the two plate members 15.

[0025] In this embodiment, each flexible portion 16b is provided with a second bolt insertion hole 62a. The second bolt insertion hole 62a penetrates the flexible portion 16b in the up-down direction Z. In this embodiment, a female thread is provided on the inner circumferential surface defining the second bolt insertion hole 62a of the lower flexible portion 16b.

[0026] The bolts 17 are inserted through the second bolt insertion holes 62a of the two flexible portions 16b and the first bolt insertion hole 31a of the extending portion 31. The bolts 17 are threaded into the female threads of the second bolt insertion hole 62a of the lower flexible portion 16b. As a result, the bolts 17 restrain the two flexible portions 16b in the up-down direction Z.

[0027] 4 shows the retaining member 16 in a state where the bolt 17 is not restraining the two flexible portions 16b in the vertical direction Z. At this time, the two flexible portions 16b each extend linearly along the first direction X. In other words, the two flexible portions 16b are not bent. When the bolt 17 is not restraining the two flexible portions 16b in the vertical direction Z, the distance D1 between the two flexible portions 16b in the vertical direction Z is greater than the dimension D2 of the extension portion 31 in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, a gap G is generated between the two flexible portions 16b and the extension portion 31. The size of the gap G is represented by D1-D2.

[0028] 3, the bolts 17 restrain the two flexible portions 16b in the vertical direction Z, causing the two flexible portions 16b to bend toward each other. As the two flexible portions 16b bend toward each other, the extension portion 31 of the side frame 13 is sandwiched between the two flexible portions 16b.

[0029] Specifically, the upper flexible portion 16b bends downward to come into contact with the upper surface of the extending portion 31. The lower flexible portion 16b bends upward to come into contact with the lower surface of the extending portion 31. Each flexible portion 16b has a contact surface 62b that comes into contact with the extending portion 31.

[0030] In the following description, the distance from the end of the fixed portion 16a closest to the flexible portion 16b to the position where the flexible portion 16b is restrained by the restraining member is referred to as the retaining distance L. In this embodiment, the position where the flexible portion 16b is restrained by the restraining member is the axial center B of the bolt 17. Therefore, the retaining distance L in this embodiment is the distance from the fixed portion 16a to the axial center B of the bolt 17.

[0031] In this embodiment, the holding distance L ａ is the holding distance L of the lower flexible portion 16b. ｂ Therefore, the holding distance L of one of the two flexible portions 16b is the same as the holding distance L of the other flexible portion 16b. The holding distance L of each flexible portion 16b ａ , L ｂ is set as follows:

[0032] As described above, when the two flexible portions 16b are not restrained by the bolts 17, the distance D1 between the two flexible portions 16b in the vertical direction Z is greater than the dimension D2 of the extending portion 31 in the vertical direction Z. A gap G (= D1 - D2) is generated between the two flexible portions 16b and the extending portion 31. Therefore, the two flexible portions 16b bend so that the sum of the bending amounts w of the two flexible portions 16b is the same as the size of the gap G, and the two flexible portions 16b sandwich the extending portion 31 therebetween.

[0033] The deflection amount w of the flexible portion 16b at the position where the flexible portion 16b is restrained by the restraining member is expressed by [Equation 1] from the formula for the deflection amount at the load point when a concentrated load is applied to the tip of the cantilever. Also, the holding distance L is expressed by [Equation 2] by rearranging [Equation 1].

[0034]

[0035] f in [Equation 1] and [Equation 2] ｓｈａｆｔ is the force required to bend the flexible portion 16b out of the axial force f acting on the bolt 17. The axial force f acting on the bolt 17 is the force f required to fasten the bolt 17. ｂｏｌｔ and the force f required to deflect the flexible portion 16b. ｓｈａｆｔ where E is Young's modulus. I is the second moment of area. In this embodiment, I=(bh ３ 2, b is the dimension of the shaft 60 in the second direction Y. h is the dimension of the shaft 60 in the vertical direction Z.

[0036] In this embodiment, the amount of deflection w of each flexible portion 16b is set to half (G / 2) of the gap G, so that the sum of the amounts of deflection w of the two flexible portions 16b is the same as the size of the gap G. Therefore, the holding distance L of each flexible portion 16b is ａ , L ｂ is expressed by [Equation 3].

[0037] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0038] The heald frame 10 includes two steves 12, two side frames 13, and a connecting member 14. The two steves 12 are spaced apart in the vertical direction Z and extend in the first direction X. The two side frames 13 are located on both sides of the two steves 12 in the first direction X and extend in the vertical direction Z. Each side frame 13 has two extensions 31 that extend toward the two steves 12, respectively.

[0039] Each connecting member 14 connects one Steve 12 and one side frame 13. Each connecting member 14 has a retaining member 16 and a bolt 17. The retaining member 16 has a fixed portion 16a fixed to Steve 12 and two flexible portions 16b extending from the fixed portion 16a in the first direction X and positioned on both sides of the extending portion 31 in the vertical direction Z. The bolt 17 restrains the two flexible portions 16b in the vertical direction Z. By restraining the two flexible portions 16b with the bolt 17, the two flexible portions 16b are bent toward each other. By the two flexible portions 16b being bent toward each other, the extending portion 31 is sandwiched between the two flexible portions 16b. In this way, Steve 12 and the side frame 13 are connected by the connecting member 14.

[0040] The smaller the amount of bending w of the flexible portion 16b, the smaller the holding distance L can be. This point will be described in detail below with reference to a comparative example. In the comparative example, by bending only one of the two flexible portions 16b, the extension portion 31 is sandwiched between the two flexible portions 16b. G and f in the comparative example ｓｈａｆｔ , E, I, b, and h are the same as in this embodiment.

[0041] In the comparative example, only one flexible portion 16b is bent, so the amount of bending w of the flexible portion 16b required to sandwich the extension portion 31 between the two flexible portions 16b is greater than in this embodiment, in which both flexible portions 16b are bent. As is clear from [Equation 1], the amount of bending w of the flexible portion 16b is proportional to the cube of the holding distance L. Therefore, in order to increase the amount of bending w of the flexible portion 16b, it is necessary to increase the holding distance L.

[0042] Specifically, in the comparative example, the holding distance L of one flexible portion 16b is set to 1 / 2 so that the deflection amount w of one flexible portion 16b is equal to the size of the gap G. c The holding distance L of one flexible portion 16b is set. c is expressed by [Equation 4].

[0043] In this way, the holding distance L of each flexible portion 16b in this embodiment ａ , L ｂ is the holding distance L of one flexible portion 16b in the comparative example ｃ is smaller than (L ａ , L ｂ <L ｃ ). The holding distance L of one flexible portion 16b in the comparative example ｃ is the holding distance L of each flexible portion 16b in this embodiment. ａ , L ｂ No. 2 １／３ It's double.

[0044] Consider the stress σ that occurs in the connecting member 14 when the heald frame 10 moves up and down. When the heald frame 10 moves up and down, an evenly distributed load is generated on the steve 12 due to its own weight. As a result, stress σ occurs in the portion of the abutment surface 62b of the flexible part 16b that abuts against the corner part 31b of the extension part 31. This stress σ is reduced as the holding distance L becomes smaller. This point will be described in detail below along with the above-mentioned comparative example. The stress σ is expressed by [Equation 5].

[0045] In [Equation 5], f ｓｔａｖｅ is the load acting on the steve 12. As is clear from [Equation 5], the stress σ is proportional to the holding distance L. Therefore, the larger the holding distance L, the larger the stress σ. ｓｔａｖｅ and f of the comparative example ｓｔａｖｅ As described above, b and h in the comparative example are the same as those in this embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, in which the holding distance L is smaller than that of the comparative example, the stress σ generated in the flexible portion 16b is reduced compared to that of the comparative example. Specifically, the stress σ generated in the flexible portion 16b in the comparative example is 2 times the stress σ generated in the flexible portion 16b in this embodiment. １／３ It's double.

[0046] [Advantages of this embodiment] The advantages of this embodiment will be described below. (1) The bolt 17 restrains the two flexible portions 16b, causing the two flexible portions 16b to bend toward each other. As a result of the two flexible portions 16b bending toward each other, the extension portion 31 is sandwiched between the two flexible portions 16b.

[0047] According to this configuration, since both of the two flexible portions 16b are bent, the amount of bending w of the flexible portions 16b required to sandwich the extension portion 31 between the two flexible portions 16b can be made smaller compared to when only one of the flexible portions 16b is bent. The smaller the amount of bending w of the flexible portions 16b, the smaller the holding distance L can be. The smaller the holding distance L, the more the stress σ generated in the flexible portions 16b when the heald frame 10 moves up and down can be reduced. Therefore, the durability of the heald frame 10 can be improved.

[0048] (2) The restraining member is a bolt 17 that penetrates the two flexible portions 16b. The holding distance L from the fixed portion 16a of one flexible portion 16b to the axial center B of the bolt 17 is the same as the holding distance L from the fixed portion 16a of the other flexible portion 16b to the axial center B of the bolt 17.

[0049] According to this configuration, the amount of deflection w of the two flexible parts 16b is the same for the two flexible parts 16b. Therefore, compared to when the amount of deflection w of the two flexible parts 16b is different for the two flexible parts 16b, the amount of deflection w of each flexible part 16b required to sandwich the extension part 31 between the two flexible parts 16b can be made smaller. Therefore, the stress σ generated in each flexible part 16b when the heald frame 10 moves up and down can be further reduced.

[0050] (3) The Steve 12 has a hollow structure including two first walls 21 spaced apart in the second direction Y and two second walls 22 spaced apart in the vertical direction Z and connecting the two first walls 21 in the second direction Y. A portion of the holding member 16 is provided inside the Steve 12.

[0051] With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a decrease in strength due to processing of the Steve 12, compared to the conventional technology in which a pocket is processed in the plate-shaped Steve 12 into which a portion of the retaining member 16 is inserted.

[0052] (4) The connecting member 14 has two plate members 15 spaced apart in the second direction Y between the two first walls 21. One plate member 15 is fixed to the inner surface 21 b of one of the first walls 21, and the other plate member 15 is fixed to the inner surface 21 b of the other first wall 21. The holding member 16 is composed of two shafts 60 spaced apart in the up-down direction Z and extending in the first direction X. The fixed portion 16 a is composed of a portion of the two shafts 60 that is located between the two plate members 15 and is fixed to each of the two plate members 15. The flexible portion 16 b is composed of a portion of the shaft 60 that is not fixed to the two plate members 15.

[0053] According to this configuration, the holding member 16 is made up of two shafts 60. Therefore, by adjusting the distance between the two shafts 60 in the vertical direction Z, the connecting member 14 can be made common for multiple types of heald frames 10 having different dimensions D2 of the extension portion 31 in the vertical direction Z.

[0054] Furthermore, the two shafts 60 are fixed to the two plate members 15. The two plate members 15 are fixed to the two first walls 21. Therefore, the holding member 16 can be fixed to the Steve 12 via the two plate members 15.

[0055] (5) A through hole 21a is provided in each of the two first walls 21. The plate member 15 is fixed to the inner surface 21b of the first wall 21 by the adhesive 18 provided in the through hole 21a.

[0056] According to this configuration, the plate member 15 can be fixed to Steve 12 by filling the through-holes 21a with adhesive 18 from the outside of Steve 12. Therefore, the work of fixing the plate member 15 is easier than when fixing the plate member 15 to Steve 12 by inserting the plate member 15 coated with adhesive 18 into Steve 12.

[0057] (6) The through hole 21 a is provided on the neutral axis A of the first wall 21 extending in the first direction X. With this configuration, the through hole 21 a can be provided in the Steve 12 while minimizing the impact on the strength of the Steve 12.

[0058] (7) When the bolt 17 is not restraining the two flexible portions 16b, the distance D1 between the two flexible portions 16b in the vertical direction Z is greater than the dimension D2 of the extension portion 31 in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, when connecting the Steve 12 and the side frame 13, it is easy to insert the extension portion 31 between the two flexible portions 16b. Furthermore, when disconnecting the Steve 12 from the side frame 13, it is easy to remove the extension portion 31 from between the two flexible portions 16b.

[0059] (8) The bolt 17 penetrates the two flexible portions 16b as well as the extension portion 31. Therefore, the connecting member 14 can more reliably connect the steve 12 and the side frame 13.

[0060] [Modifications] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the holding member 16 is configured by the two shafts 60. However, this is not limiting. The holding member 16 may have, for example, a block-shaped fixed portion 16 a and two shaft-shaped flexible portions 16 b extending from the fixed portion 16 a.

[0062] The restraining member is not limited to the bolt 17. The restraining member may be, for example, a clamp. In the above embodiment, the bolt 17 passes through the two flexible portions 16b and the extending portion 31. However, the bolt 17 may pass through only the two flexible portions 16b and not the extending portion 31.

[0063] The connecting member 14 does not have to have the two plate members 15. In this case, the fixing portion 16a of the holding member 16 is fixed to the steve 12 without the two plate members 15 interposed therebetween.

[0064] "Fixed portion 16a is fixed to Steve 12" includes both the case where fixed portion 16a is indirectly fixed to Steve 12 via two plate members 15, as in the above embodiment, and the case where fixed portion 16a is directly fixed to Steve 12, as in the above example.

[0065] The holding distance L of one flexible portion 16 b may be different from the holding distance L of the other flexible portion 16 b. The holding distance L of each flexible portion 16 b is set so that the amount of deflection w of each flexible portion 16 b is 0<w<G and the sum of the amounts of deflection w of the two flexible portions 16 b is the same as the size of the gap G.

[0066] The Steve 12 does not have to have a hollow structure formed by two first walls 21 and two second walls 22. The plate members 15 may be fixed to the Steve 12 by applying adhesive 18 to the surface of each plate member 15 facing the inner surface 21b of the first wall 21 and then inserting the plate members 15 into the Steve 12. In this case, the through holes 21a in the Steve 12 are not necessary.

[0067] The through-hole 21 a of the steve 12 does not have to be located on the neutral axis A of the first wall 21 extending in the first direction X. A part of the second portion 62 of each shaft 60 may be located between the two plate members 15 without being fixed to the two plate members 15.

Claims

1. A heald frame comprising: two steves spaced apart in the vertical direction and extending in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction; two side frames located on either side of the two steves in the first direction and extending in the vertical direction; and connecting members connecting the steves to the side frames, wherein each of the side frames has an extending portion extending towards the two steves, and each of the connecting members has: a fixed portion fixed to the steve, and a retaining member having two flexible portions that extend from the fixed portion in the first direction and are located on either side of the extending portion in the vertical direction; and a restraining member that restrains the two flexible portions in the vertical direction, wherein the restraining member restrains the two flexible portions, causing the two flexible portions to bend towards each other, and wherein the extending portion is sandwiched between the two flexible portions as a result of the two flexible portions being bent towards each other.

2. A heald frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restraining member is a bolt that passes through the two flexible sections, and the distance from the fixed section of one of the flexible sections to the axial centre of the bolt is the same as the distance from the fixed section of the other flexible section to the axial centre of the bolt.

3. A heald frame as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the steves is a hollow structure composed of two first walls spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the first direction, and two second walls spaced apart in the vertical direction and connecting the two first walls in the second direction, and a part of the retaining member is provided within the steve.

4. A heald frame as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connecting member has two plate members spaced apart in the second direction between the two first walls, one of the plate members being fixed to the inner surface of one of the first walls, and the other of the plate members being fixed to the inner surface of the other of the first walls, the holding member being constituted by two shafts spaced apart in the vertical direction and extending in the first direction, the fixed portion being constituted by portions of the two shafts that are located between the two plate members and fixed to each of the two plate members, and the flexible portion being constituted by portions of the two shafts that are not fixed to the two plate members.

5. A heald frame as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said two first walls is provided with a through hole, and each of said plate members is fixed to the inner surface of the corresponding first wall by adhesive provided in said through hole.

6. A heald frame according to claim 5, wherein said through-hole is provided on a neutral axis of said first wall extending in said first direction.

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