Warp thread supply device for looms

Abstract

To provide a warp feeding device for a loom which includes reels having a tape-like flat yarn as a warp yarn wound therearound and arranged in line, and has a creel device having the same number of reels as the number of warp yarns used for the weaving by the loom, allowing the replacement work of the reels to be more easily carried out in a shorter time as compared with a conventional device.SOLUTION: A warp feeding device comprises a plurality of support mechanisms which is detachably attached to a creel device and supports a predetermined set number of reels that are two or more. Each support mechanism comprises a shaft-like support part for supporting the set number of reels so that each real is individually rotatable, and a regulation part for regulating the position of the reel in the axial direction of the support part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a warp supply device for a loom, which includes a reel around which tape-shaped flat yarns as warp yarns are wound in a row, and in which the same number of reels as the number of warp yarns used for weaving in the loom are installed in a creel device.

Background Art

[0002] As a known loom, there is a loom in which a creel device provided with the same number of yarn supply bodies as the number of warp yarns used for weaving is installed, and weaving is performed using the yarns drawn from each yarn supply body on the creel device as warp yarns. Also, there is a loom configured to perform weaving using a tape-shaped flat yarn as a warp yarn.

[0003] In addition, when winding a flat yarn around a winding core to form a yarn supply body, if it is wound while traversing like a general yarn, its quality may deteriorate due to twisting (bending) or the like. Therefore, when preparing such a flat yarn in the form of a yarn supply body, in order to prevent deterioration of its quality, a reel composed of a winding shaft and a pair of flanges is used as a winding body (winding frame) for winding the yarn, and the flat yarn is wound around the reel in a row (without traversing) to form a yarn supply body, which has been conventionally done. And as a warp supply device using a reel around which such a flat yarn is wound as a yarn supply body, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0004] The warp supply device described in Patent Document 1 is a device that uses a strip-shaped carbon fiber bundle that has been opened as flat yarn to be wound onto a reel. More specifically, the warp supply device comprises a frame (support structure) which is the main part of the creel device, and multiple shafts for supporting reels are supported on the frame via stays. Each of these shafts is supported so as to protrude on both sides from the stays, and each of the protruding parts (projections) on both sides of the stays supports one reel. In other words, in the warp supply device, the protruding parts on each shaft serve as support shafts (cores) for supporting reels, and the warp supply device is configured such that one reel (yarn feeder) is supported on each support shaft (the support shaft and reel are provided in a one-to-one relationship). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-226856 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Incidentally, in such a warp supply device, as the amount of warp yarn wound on the reel decreases as weaving progresses, the reel in use is replaced with a new, fully wound reel when the amount of yarn decreases below a predetermined amount. In this case, the warp supply device described in Patent Document 1 presents problems such as placing a heavy burden on the operator and taking a lot of time.

[0007] More specifically, in the case of a reel-type yarn feeder as described above, the amount of warp yarn wound when fully wound is less than that of a normal yarn feeder where the yarn is wound while traversing, due to the relationship with the diameter of the reel. Therefore, the time it takes for the amount of yarn wound in the yarn feeder to reach the amount that requires replacement as weaving progresses is shorter for a reel-type yarn feeder than for a normal yarn feeder, assuming the same weaving speed. As a result, warp supply devices using reel-type yarn feeders require more frequent replacement of their yarn feeders than warp supply devices using normal yarn feeders.

[0008] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in the warp supply device of Patent Document 1, one reel is supported on each support shaft in the creel device. Therefore, in the replacement work described above, the operation of attaching and detaching the reels to and from the creel device must be performed for each reel, equal to the number of warp threads used in the weaving. In other words, in the replacement work, the operation of attaching and detaching the reels to and from the creel device must be performed the same number of times as the total number of reels.

[0009] Thus, while warp supply devices using reel-type yarn feeders require frequent replacement of the yarn feeders as described above, the warp supply device described in Patent Document 1 requires the removal and reattachment of each reel during each replacement operation, making the overall process very complicated and placing a heavy burden on the operator. Moreover, the frequent removal and reattachment operations result in a time-consuming process.

[0010] In light of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a configuration for a warp thread supply device for a loom in which a reel-type yarn feeder is installed in a creel device, such that the reel replacement work can be performed in a shorter time and more easily than with conventional devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention is based on a warp supply device for a loom, which includes a reel on which tape-shaped flat yarns as warp threads are wound in a single row, and the same number of reels as the number of warp threads used in weaving on the loom are installed in the creel device.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention provides a warp thread supply device for a loom as described above, comprising a plurality of support mechanisms that are detachably attached to a creel device and support a predetermined number of reels, which is two or more, and each support mechanism comprises a axial support portion that supports the predetermined number of reels so that each reel can rotate individually, and a restricting portion that restricts the position of the reels in the axial direction of the support portion. Hereinafter, "reel" refers to a winding body (winding frame) for winding warp threads, consisting of a winding shaft and a pair of flanges, as described above.

[0013] Furthermore, in the warp thread supply device for a loom according to the present invention as described above, each support mechanism may be equipped with a resistance-applying mechanism that applies rotational resistance to each reel, and the resistance-applying mechanism may be configured to include a pressing portion that is pressed against each reel to apply a pressing force in order to apply rotational resistance. In addition, the resistance-applying mechanism may be equipped with a pressing portion for each reel, and an adjustment portion for adjusting the pressing force may be equipped with an adjustment portion for each pressing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The warp thread supply device for a loom according to the present invention is equipped with a support mechanism that supports a set number of reels, which is two or more, and the support mechanism is configured to be detachable from the creel device. Therefore, according to this configuration, the set number of reels are supported by the creel device via a single support mechanism. Moreover, the support mechanism is equipped with a support part that supports (pivots) the reels, as well as a regulating part that restricts the axial position of the set number of reels pivotally supported on the support part. As a result, the set number of reels can be pivotally supported on the support part of the support mechanism and positioned axially by the regulating part, thereby forming a unitized state via the support mechanism.

[0015] Therefore, by preparing the specified number of reels as unitized units as described above before installing them in the creel device, the replacement work can be performed by attaching and detaching the reels to the creel device unit by unit. As a result, according to the present invention, in a warp thread supply device that uses reels that are frequently replaced as thread feeders, the attachment and detachment work for replacing the reels can be performed in unitized units of the specified number, rather than one reel at a time. Therefore, the number of attachments and detachments required to replace all reels that need replacing is reduced compared to conventional devices. Consequently, the reel replacement work can be performed in a shorter time, and the burden on the operator can be further reduced.

[0016] Furthermore, in such a warp thread supply device of the present invention, by providing a resistance-applying mechanism for applying rotational resistance to each reel pivotally supported on the support portion, the reel replacement work can be made easier.

[0017] More specifically, in a warp supply device in which the yarn feeder is rotatably mounted, the yarn feeder rotates as the warp threads are drawn out. However, to prevent the yarn feeder from rotating excessively and causing unnecessary warp threads to be dispensed, a resistance mechanism is provided in the warp supply device to resist the rotation of the yarn feeder.

[0018] Furthermore, in a typical warp supply device, the resistance-applying mechanism is located in the creel device. Therefore, after attaching the yarn feeder to the creel device, it is necessary to perform an operation such as engaging the resistance-applying mechanism with the yarn feeder so that the resistance-applying mechanism on the creel device side applies resistance to the yarn feeder. In particular, in the warp supply device of the present invention, in which the yarn feeders (reels) are unitized so that they can rotate individually, after attaching the unit, which consists of the set number of reels, to the creel device, it is necessary to perform an operation on the creel device to ensure that the resistance-applying mechanism applies resistance to each of the multiple reels within the unit.

[0019] In contrast, by configuring each support mechanism to include a resistance-applying mechanism, it is possible to apply resistance to each reel in the unit body at the stage when the set number of reels are unitized as described above, before the reels are installed in the creel device. Therefore, with this configuration, when attaching or detaching reels, it is only necessary to attach or detach the unit body (support mechanism) to the creel device, and there is no need to perform the operation of applying resistance to each reel on the creel device, thus making reel replacement easier.

[0020] Furthermore, when each support mechanism is configured to include a resistance-applying mechanism as described above, the resistance-applying mechanism can be configured such that each reel has a contact portion that is pressed against the reel to apply a pressing force, and each contact portion has an adjustment portion that adjusts the pressing force, thereby minimizing variations in the tension of the warp threads drawn from each reel.

[0021] More specifically, the warp threads drawn from the creel are aligned in the width direction as they reach the loom. However, the path length of each warp thread to the loom differs depending on the position of each reel on the creel. In this case, if the resistance mechanism is configured to apply the same amount of pressing force to each reel, the difference in path length will result in differences (variations) in the tension of the warp threads. And when such variations in warp tension occur, the quality of the woven fabric may, in some cases, deteriorate.

[0022] On the other hand, by adopting a configuration in which the resistance-imparting mechanism includes a pressing portion that applies a pressing force to each reel and an adjustment portion that adjusts the pressing force for each pressing portion, the pressing force can be individually adjusted for each reel within the unit body. Therefore, according to this configuration, by setting the pressing force applied by the pressing portion to a magnitude corresponding to each reel by means of the adjustment portion, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the occurrence of variations in the tension of the warp yarns drawn from each reel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a warp supply device, a loom, and a rewinding device for a loom according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view showing an embodiment of a warp supply device for a loom according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the warp supply device. [Figure 4] It is a side sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view when looking at the periphery of the support mechanism in the warp supply device from the rear. [Figure 6] It is a side view of the periphery of the support mechanism in FIG. 5.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 1 to 6, an embodiment (example) of a warp supply device for a loom to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a loom (for example, a rapier loom) 1 for weaving and a warp supply device 10 for a loom provided in parallel with the loom 1. The warp supply device 10 includes a creel device 11 for mounting a reel 12 around which a warp T is wound.

[0026] The warp thread T is, for example, a tape-shaped prepreg tape made by impregnating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic resin as a matrix resin. This thermoplastic prepreg tape is wound in a single row (without traversing) around the reel 12. However, in this invention, the warp thread T is not limited to such a thermoplastic prepreg tape; it may be any other flat yarn whose quality would deteriorate if wound while traversing around the winding shaft.

[0027] The creel device 11 is mainly composed of a frame 14 on which the reel 12 is mounted. The frame 14 is provided with a plurality of support shafts 13 for supporting the reel 12. These support shafts 13 are arranged in rows at equal intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions relative to the frame 14. The reel 12 is rotatably supported by each of the support shafts 13. In Figure 1, the creel device 11 is shown with 12 support shafts 13 on the frame 14. However, in this embodiment, as will be described later, support shafts 13 are also provided on the side of the frame 14 opposite to the side shown in the figure. Therefore, the creel device 11 has 24 support shafts 13.

[0028] Furthermore, the creel device 11 is equipped with guide rollers 15 for guiding the warp threads T drawn from each reel 12. The guide rollers 15 are located near each support shaft 13 and are positioned such that the warp threads T drawn from each reel 12 are guided without overlapping. In addition, each guide roller 15 is rotatable relative to the frame 14 in order to reduce sliding resistance with the warp threads T. The warp threads T wound on each reel 12 are then drawn from the warp supply device 10 via the corresponding guide rollers 15.

[0029] Furthermore, a pair of guide rollers 5, 5 are provided between the warp supply device 10 and the loom 1. The warp threads T drawn from the warp supply device 10 are passed between the pair of guide rollers 5, 5, and aligned in a single row. Then, the warp threads T are supplied to the loom 1 in this aligned state, and weaving is carried out on the loom 1. Incidentally, in the illustrated example, the winding device for winding up the woven fabric W is a separate winding device 2 that is provided independently of the loom 1. The fabric W woven on the loom 1 is then wound up by the separate winding device 2 after it leaves the loom 1.

[0030] In the warp supply device 10 for a loom configured as described above, the present invention provides a plurality of support mechanisms that support a set number of reels 12, which is two or more, and each support mechanism is configured to be detachable from the creel device 11. Each support mechanism is configured to include a support portion that is axially shaped and supports the set number of reels 12, and a regulating portion that restricts the position of the set number of reels 12 on the support portion in the axial direction of the support portion.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each support mechanism is configured to include a resistance-applying mechanism for applying rotational resistance to each reel 12 supported by the support portion. In addition, in this embodiment, the resistance-applying mechanism is configured to include a contact portion for each reel 12 that is pressed against the reel 12 to apply a pressing force, and an adjustment portion for adjusting the pressing force for each contact portion. The configuration of the warp thread supply device 10, including such support mechanisms, will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 6.

[0032] First, regarding the creel device 11, as mentioned above, the creel device 11 is mainly composed of a frame 14 on which the reel 12 is mounted. Furthermore, the frame 14 is composed of a base portion 14a that serves as the base of the frame 14, and a vertical plate portion 14b that is provided approximately perpendicular to the base portion 14a.

[0033] Furthermore, both the base portion 14a and the upright plate portion 14b are plate-shaped and formed to form a rectangular shape when viewed in the direction of the plate thickness. The upright plate portion 14b is erected on the base portion 14a such that the longer side of its plate surface is parallel to the vertical direction, and its shorter side is parallel to the side edge of the base portion 14a. The upright plate portion 14b is attached to the base portion 14a by sandwiching the upright plate portion 14b between two L-shaped stays 14f, 14f fixed to the plate surface of the base portion 14a.

[0034] The vertical plate portion 14b is the part to which twelve support shafts 13, which are provided on the frame 14 as described above, are attached to one side. The twelve support shafts 13 are arranged in groups of three in the short-side direction, and these rows of three support shafts 13 are arranged in four rows in the long-side direction. Furthermore, since reels 12 are mounted on each support shaft 13, the spacing between the support shafts 13 in the short-side and long-side directions is set to be larger than the diameter of the reels 12. However, the spacing between the support shafts 13 in the short-side direction is such that there is a slight gap between adjacent reels 12 when reels 12 are mounted on each support shaft 13. The spacing between the support shafts 13 in the long-side direction is such that guide rollers 15 can be placed between adjacent reels 12 when reels 12 are mounted on each support shaft 13.

[0035] Furthermore, the dimensions of the vertical plate portion 14b in the short-side and long-side directions are such that, with the reels 12 mounted on each support shaft 13 arranged at the aforementioned intervals, all reels 12 are located within the range of the vertical plate portion 14b when viewed in the thickness direction of the vertical plate portion 14b. The support shafts 13 are attached to the vertical plate portion 14b by screwing them into female screw holes formed in the vertical plate portion 14b.

[0036] Furthermore, in the frame 14, the base 14a is provided with legs 14d at each of the four corners when viewed in the direction of the plate thickness. The legs 14d are configured to allow adjustment of the height position of the base 14a (distance from the floor surface to the base 14a). That is, each leg 14d is configured so that the amount of protrusion from the lower surface of the base 14a can be changed. In addition, casters 14e are attached to the base 14a near each leg 14d, attached to the lower surface. When the frame 14 is installed, the amount of protrusion of the legs 14d is greater than the height of the casters 14e, so that the casters 14e are spaced away from the floor surface. Furthermore, the frame 14 can be made movable by changing the amount of protrusion of the legs 14d so that the amount of protrusion is less than the height of the casters 14e, so that the casters 14e are in contact with the floor surface.

[0037] The support mechanism 20, which is detachably attached to the creel device 11, is configured to support a predetermined number of reels 12, which is 2 or more, as described above. In this embodiment, the predetermined number is 6. That is, in the warp supply device 10 of this embodiment, 6 reels 12 are supported by each support mechanism 20. The 6 reels 12 are supported (axially supported) by the support portion 21 of the support mechanism 20, and the position of the reels 12 on the support portion 21 is restricted by the regulating portion 22, so that the 6 reels 12 and the support mechanism 20 are unitized into a unit body 30.

[0038] The unit 30 is provided with a support mechanism 20, which includes a bearing portion 21 and a restricting portion 22, as described above. Of these, the bearing portion 21 is a pipe-shaped member having a through hole. However, the inner diameter of the through hole in the bearing portion 21 is large enough to accommodate the support shaft 13. Also, the axial dimension of the bearing portion 21 is slightly smaller than the axial dimension of the support shaft 13.

[0039] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the restricting portion 22 restricts the position of the reel 12 on the support portion 21, but in this embodiment, a combination of multiple members functions as the restricting portion 22. Specifically, a retaining ring 22a is provided at one end (one end) of the support portion 21. The retaining ring 22a is attached by being fitted into a groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the support portion 21, and is provided in a state in which the position of the support portion 21 in the axial direction is fixed.

[0040] Furthermore, an annular positioning member 22b is provided at the other end of the support portion 21. The positioning member 22b has a clamping structure, and its position on the support portion 21 is fixed by the clamping and fixing of this structure. Therefore, the fixed position of the positioning member 22b on the support portion 21 can be changed. However, the distance between the retaining ring 22a and the positioning member 22b on the support portion 21 is set to be greater than the area in which the six reels 12 are located when they are arranged on the support portion 21 (arrangement state), as will be described later.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the support mechanism 20 is configured to include a resistance-applying mechanism 40 as described above. A pair of lever members 41, 41, which form part of the resistance-applying mechanism 40, are provided to be located on the support portion 21. The pair of lever members 41, 41 are provided such that the support portion 21 is fitted into through holes formed in the center of each of them. However, with respect to the axial direction of the support portion 21, one of the pair of lever members 41, 41 is positioned adjacent to the retaining ring 22a and the other is positioned adjacent to the positioning member 22b.

[0042] Furthermore, a collar member 24 is provided on the support portion 21 adjacent to the one lever member 41. The collar member 24 is a pipe-shaped member, and its inner diameter is such that it is loosely fitted to the support portion 21. In the above arrangement, the collar member 24 is large enough to extend between the one lever member 41 and the reel 12. On the support portion 21, the position of the six reels 12 is restricted on the support portion 21 by the positioning member 22b and the other lever member 41 at the other end, and by the retaining ring 22a, the one lever member 41 and the collar member 24 at the one end. Therefore, in this embodiment, the combination of the retaining ring 22a, the positioning member 22b, the pair of lever members 41, 41 and the collar member 24 corresponds to the restricting portion.

[0043] Furthermore, the reel 12 has a general configuration and consists of a winding shaft 12a having a through hole that penetrates in the axial direction, and a pair of flange portions 12b, 12b fixed on the winding shaft 12a at intervals. The spacing between the pair of flange portions 12b, 12b is slightly larger than the width dimension of the tape-like warp thread T. Therefore, the warp thread T is wound in a single line (without traversing) around the winding shaft 12a between the pair of flange portions 12b, 12b. The reel 12 is then supported by the support mechanism 20 (support portion 21) as described above, but in this embodiment, the support is provided via the reel support portion 23 to which the reel 12 is fixed.

[0044] The reel support portion 23 is disc-shaped and integrally formed with an insertion portion 23b into which the reel 12 is inserted, and a flange portion 23a which has a larger diameter than the insertion portion 23b. The reel support portion 23, consisting of the insertion portion 23b and the flange portion 23a, has a through hole that penetrates through the thickness direction at its center. The inner diameter of the through hole is large enough to allow the reel support portion 23 to be inserted into the support portion 21 and rotate. Furthermore, the reel support portion 23 has a pair of protrusions 23c, 23c formed on both end faces in the thickness direction so as to protrude in the thickness direction around the through hole.

[0045] The dimensions of the insertion portion 23b in the reel support portion 23 in the thickness direction are approximately the same as the dimensions of the reel 12 in the axial direction. Also, in the illustrated example, the dimensions of the flange portion 23a in the thickness direction are approximately the same as those of the insertion portion 23b. The reel 12 is then assembled to the reel support portion 23 by a screw member or the like, with the insertion portion 23b of the reel support portion 23 fitted into its through hole and in contact with the end face of the flange portion 23a.

[0046] Each reel 12 is supported by the support portion 21 via the reel support portion 23, with the support portion 21 being fitted into the through hole of the reel support portion 23. As a result, the six reels 12 are arranged in the aforementioned configuration. In this configuration, each reel support portion 23 is positioned on the support portion 21 in the same orientation, with the fitting portion 23b facing the flange portion 23a towards the end of the support portion 21 (the retaining ring 22a side). Therefore, the spacing between adjacent reels 12 is defined by the dimensions in the thickness direction of the flange portion 23a and the two protrusions 23c, 23c on the reel support portion 23.

[0047] Furthermore, the reel support portion 23 is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction than the support portion 21. As a result, the reel support portion 23 can rotate relative to the support portion 21 with less frictional resistance. In addition, adjacent reel support portions 23, 23 on the support portion 21 come into contact with each other at their respective protrusions 23c in the aforementioned arrangement, but because they are made of a material with low frictional resistance, their relative rotation is not hindered, and they can rotate individually.

[0048] Furthermore, in the aforementioned arrangement, the position of the reel 12 (reel support portion 23) on the support portion 21 is restricted by the aforementioned restricting portion 22, so that the six reels 12 are unitized with the support mechanism 20 including the support portion 21, and a unit body 30 is formed.

[0049] The resistance-applying mechanism 40 includes, in addition to the pair of lever members 41, 41 mentioned above, a braking member 44 which acts as a pressing part that presses against each reel 12 and applies a pressing force. However, there is a braking member 44 for each reel 12. In other words, the resistance-applying mechanism 40 has six braking members 44 corresponding to each reel 12. Furthermore, the resistance-applying mechanism 40 includes an adjustment mechanism 50 which acts as an adjustment part for adjusting the pressing force that the braking member 44 applies to the corresponding reel 12.

[0050] More specifically, each lever member 41 is a lever-shaped member mainly consisting of a supported portion 41a into which the support portion 21 is fitted and supported by the support portion 21, as described above. The supported portion 41a is formed in such a rectangular shape that, when viewed in the thickness direction, the dimension in the long side direction is sufficiently longer than the dimension in the short side direction. Furthermore, the dimension of the supported portion 41a in the long side direction is larger than the outer diameter of the reel 12 (flange portion 12b).

[0051] Furthermore, each lever member 41 has an extended portion 41b at one end of the supported portion 41a that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the long side direction of the supported portion 41a (a direction substantially parallel to the short side direction of the supported portion 41a), forming an L-shaped member overall. The extended portion 41b is also formed to be roughly rectangular when viewed in the thickness direction. The dimensions of the extended portion 41b in the extension direction from the supported portion 41a are such that, in the short side direction of the supported portion 41a, the distance from the center of the supported portion 41a to the tip of the extended portion 41b is greater than the radius of the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23. Therefore, in the aforementioned arrangement of the reel 12 with the lever member 41 supported by the support portion 21, the tip of the extended portion 41b is located outside (above) the range of the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23.

[0052] Furthermore, in the resistance-applying mechanism 40, a first support rod 43a for supporting the braking member 44 is installed between the tips of the extended portions 41b, 41b of the pair of lever members 41, 41. However, in the support mechanism 20 in which the reel 12 is in the aforementioned arrangement, the first rod 43a is attached to each lever member 41 at a position where its axis, with respect to the short-side direction (radial direction of the flange portion 23a) of the supported portion 41a, substantially coincides with the position of the apex of the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 23a in the reel support portion 23. The attachment of the first support rod 43a to the lever member 41 is performed by non-rotatably fitting the first support rod 43a into holes formed in each extended portion 41b.

[0053] Furthermore, a second support rod 43b is installed between the other ends (the ends opposite to the side where the extended portion 41b is provided) of the supported portions 41a of the pair of lever members 41, 41, to which the adjustment mechanism 50 is hooked. The second support rod 43b is attached to the supported portions 41a in the same way as the first support rod 43a, by being non-rotatably fitted into a hole formed in the supported portions 41a. As a result, in the resistance-applying mechanism 40, a frame is formed by the pair of lever members 41, 41, the first support rod 43a, and the second support rod 43b.

[0054] Each braking member 44 is a lever-shaped member formed in a roughly rectangular prism shape with a rectangular cross-section, and the dimensions in the long-side direction of both sides (surfaces perpendicular to the thickness direction) and both end faces (surfaces parallel to the thickness direction) that form the rectangle are sufficiently larger than the dimensions in the short-side direction. Furthermore, the dimensions in the long-side direction (long-side direction of the sides and end faces) of the braking member 44 are slightly larger than the dimensions in the long-side direction of the supported portion 41a of the lever member 41. In addition, the thickness dimension of the braking member 44 is slightly smaller than the dimension of the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23 in its thickness direction.

[0055] The braking member 44 is pivotably supported on the first support rod 43a by inserting the first support rod 43a through a hole formed at one end of the braking member 44 that penetrates through it in the thickness direction. That is, each braking member 44 is pivotably mounted with the axis of the first support rod 43a as its support center and the support center as its pivot center. As mentioned above, the six braking members 44 are provided in a manner that corresponds to each of the six reels 12. Furthermore, each braking member 44 is positioned within the range of the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23 that supports the corresponding reel 12 in the support mechanism 20 in the aforementioned arrangement. Therefore, when each braking member 44 is supported on the first support rod 43a, one of its end faces faces the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 23a of the corresponding reel support portion 23.

[0056] Furthermore, each braking member 44 is provided with an arc-shaped groove (arc groove) 44a formed such that one end face is recessed. However, the arc groove 44a is formed to have the same curvature as the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23. In addition, the depth dimension of the arc groove 44a is approximately equal to the distance A from one end face of the braking member 44 to the center of the hole through which the first support rod 43a is inserted.

[0057] Furthermore, the arc groove 44a is formed in such a position that, in the support mechanism 20 in the arrangement described above, the distance B from the support center of the braking member 44 in the longitudinal direction of the braking member 44 to the center of the arc groove 44a is approximately the same as the distance C from the support center of the supported portion 41a of the lever member 41 (the center of the hole in the extended portion 41b into which the first support rod 43a is fitted) to the center of the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23 (the center of the hole in the supported portion 41a into which the support portion 21 is fitted). As a result, in the support mechanism 20, each braking member 44 is in a state where it is approximately parallel to the supported portion 41a, and the inner surface of the arc groove 44a can contact the outer surface of the flange portion 23a over its entire surface.

[0058] Furthermore, the resistance-applying mechanism 40 includes an adjustment mechanism 50 that biases each braking member 44, which is in a state where it can contact the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23, toward the flange portion 23a. Moreover, the adjustment mechanism 50 is configured to allow adjustment of the biasing force applied to the braking member 44. Each adjustment mechanism 50 comprises a main body portion 51, which is the main part of the adjustment mechanism 50, a nut member 52 that is screwed onto the main body portion 51, and a spring member 53 that applies the biasing force.

[0059] More specifically, the main body 51 consists of a rod-shaped member 51a and a hook member 51b attached to one end of the rod member 51a. The hook member 51b is formed by bending a plate material so that it forms a roughly J-shape when viewed in a direction parallel to the plate surface. The main body 51 is formed by attaching the hook member 51b to a flat surface formed on the circumferential surface of one end of the rod member 51a using a screw member.

[0060] The main body 51 is provided in the support mechanism 20 in the aforementioned arrangement state, such that its hook member 51b is hooked onto the second support rod 43b. A through hole is formed at the other end of each braking member 44 (the end opposite to the side supported by the first support rod 43a), penetrating in a direction parallel to the end face (a direction perpendicular to the end face). However, the inner diameter of the through hole is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod member 51a.

[0061] Furthermore, the main body 51 is provided with the hook member 51b hooked onto the second support rod 43b as described above, and the rod member 51a inserted into the insertion hole in the braking member 44. Therefore, the length of the main body 51, which is formed by combining the rod member 51a and the hook member 51b as described above, is such that, when hooked onto the second support rod 43b and with the rod member 51a facing toward the braking member 44 in a direction perpendicular to the long side direction of the supported portion 41a, it protrudes above the other end face of the braking member 44 (the end face opposite to the side where the arc groove 44a is provided) when it is in contact with the flange portion 23a. More specifically, the main body 51 is formed with a length such that, when inserted into the insertion hole in the braking member 44 as described above, the other end face of the braking member 44 is located approximately in the middle of the main body 51.

[0062] Furthermore, in the main body 51, a male threaded portion is formed on the other end of the rod member 51a (the end opposite to the end to which the hook member 51b is attached). The nut member 52 is then attached to the rod member 51a by being screwed onto the male threaded portion. The nut member 52 is a wing nut, which can be rotated by hand without the use of tools, and this rotation allows for easy changes in the screwed position on the rod member 51a.

[0063] Furthermore, the spring member 53 is interposed between the nut member 52 and the braking member 44, by being inserted into the portion of the rod member 51a in the main body 51 that protrudes from the braking member 44. The male threaded portion of the rod member 51a is formed in such a way that the nut member 52 can be positioned at a location where the distance between it and the braking member 44 is smaller than the natural length of the spring member 53. By compressing the spring member 53 through the position of the nut member 52 (the screwing position), the spring member 53 causes the braking member 44 to be constantly biased toward the flange portion 23a side of the reel support portion 23.

[0064] Furthermore, by changing the position of the nut member 52 on the rod member 51a and thereby changing the amount of compression of the spring member 53, the biasing force is also changed. In other words, the adjustment mechanism 50 is configured such that by changing the screwing position of the nut member 52 on the main body 51 (rod member 51a), the braking member 44 is biased toward the flange portion 23a, and the pressing force acting on the reel 12 (flange portion 23a) corresponding to each braking member 44 is changed (adjusted).

[0065] The unit 30, configured as described above, is supported by the creel device 11 such that the support portion 21 of the support mechanism 20 is fitted onto the support shaft 13 of the creel device 11. The creel device 11 is equipped with a mechanism that fixes the axial position of the unit 30 on the support shaft 13 while it is fitted onto the support shaft 13.

[0066] More specifically, as mentioned above, the axial dimension of the support portion 21 is slightly smaller than the axial dimension of the support shaft 13. Therefore, when the unit body 30 is fitted, one end of the support shaft 13 (the end opposite to the side attached to the vertical plate portion 14b in the creel device 11) protrudes from the unit body 30. Furthermore, the tip of the support shaft 13, including the protruding portion (protrusion), is formed to have a smaller outer diameter than the rest of the shaft. The tip is then fitted with a male thread, forming a male threaded portion.

[0067] Furthermore, the creel device 11 has a handle member 60 that is screwed onto the tip (male threaded portion) of each support shaft 13. The handle member 60 is disc-shaped and is formed such that the portion at one end is larger in diameter than the middle portion in the thickness direction, forming a large-diameter portion 61. The large-diameter portion 61 of the handle member 60 is the operating portion that the operator holds and operates with their hand. The outer diameter of the small-diameter portion (small-diameter portion) 62 of the handle member 60, excluding the operating portion (large-diameter portion) 61, is larger than the outer diameter of the support portion 21. In addition, the handle member 60 has a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction. The inner circumferential surface of the through hole has a female thread formed thereon, forming a female threaded portion. However, the female threaded portion is sized to screw into the male threaded portion of the support shaft 13.

[0068] Furthermore, in the warp thread supply device 10, with the unit body 30 fitted onto each support shaft 13 of the creel device 11, the handle member 60 is screwed onto the protruding portion at the tip of the support shaft 13. The handle member 60 is screwed onto the support shaft 13 with its small diameter portion 62 facing the unit body 30 (support portion 21).

[0069] Then, when the operator holds the handle member 60 (operating part 61) by hand and rotates it in the tightening direction, the handle member 60 moves toward the unit body 30 (support part 21), and the handle member 60 comes into contact with the unit body 30 (support part 21) at the end face on the smaller diameter part 62 side. Then, by further rotating the handle member 60 in the tightening direction from that state, the support part 21 becomes clamped between the handle member 60 and the creel device 11 (vertical plate part 14b). As a result, the unit body 30 is fixed in position on the support shaft 13 and is supported so as not to rotate relative to the support shaft 13 (creel device 11).

[0070] In the warp supply device 10 configured as described above, the six reels 12 are unitized by the support mechanism 20 to form a single unit 30, and this unit 30 is installed on the reel device 11. Therefore, with such a warp supply device 10, when replacing the reels 12, the reels 12 are attached and detached to the reel device 11 in units 30, so that the attachment and detachment of the six reels 12 can be done in a single operation.

[0071] As a result, the number of times the reels 12 need to be attached and detached to replace them is reduced compared to replacing the reels 12 one by one, in proportion to the number of reels 12 that make up the unit 30. Furthermore, since the warp thread supply device 10 as a whole requires the replacement of a very large number of reels 12, being able to replace them in units of 30 units allows the reel replacement work to be completed in a short time and reduces the burden on the operator.

[0072] Furthermore, in the warp thread supply device 10 of this embodiment, each support mechanism 20 is provided with a resistance-applying mechanism 40 that applies resistance to each reel 12. Therefore, with this configuration, at the stage when the unit body 30 is formed by the six reels 12 and the support mechanisms 20, that is, before the reels 12 (unit body 30) are installed in the creel device 11, the resistance-applying mechanism 40 can provide resistance to each reel 12. As a result, when attaching or detaching the reels 12, it is only necessary to attach or detach the unit body 30 to the creel device 11, and there is no need to perform work on the creel device 11 to apply resistance to each reel 12, making the replacement of the reels 12 easier.

[0073] Furthermore, the resistance-applying mechanism 40 includes a contact portion (braking member) 44 provided corresponding to each reel 12, which applies a pressing force to the corresponding reel 12, and an adjustment portion (adjustment mechanism) 50 for adjusting the pressing force for each contact portion 44, so that the pressing force can be adjusted for each contact portion 44. Therefore, with this configuration, the pressing force that the contact portion 44 applies to each reel 12 can be adjusted to a force appropriate to each reel 12, and variations in the tension of the warp threads T drawn from each reel 12 can be prevented. As a result, problems such as a decrease in the quality of the woven fabric due to variations can be prevented as much as possible.

[0074] The above describes one embodiment of a warp thread supply device to which the present invention is applied (hereinafter referred to as "the above embodiment"). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can also be implemented in other embodiments (modifications) as follows.

[0075] (1) Regarding the resistance-applying mechanism, in the above embodiment, the braking member 44 as a pressing portion is provided so as to abut against the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23 that supports the corresponding reel 12, and is configured to apply a pressing force to the flange portion 23a to apply rotational resistance to the reel 12. However, in the present invention, the resistance-applying mechanism is not limited to one in which the pressing portion (braking member) is configured to apply a pressing force to the flange portion 23a of the reel support portion 23.

[0076] For example, the contact portion provided corresponding to each reel 12 may be pivotably mounted on the first support rod 43a, similar to the braking member 44 in the above embodiment, and the resistance application mechanism may be configured such that the contact portion abuts against the outer circumferential surfaces of both flange portions 12b, 12b of the corresponding reel 12 to apply a pressing force (rotational resistance) to the reel 12. Alternatively, a pair of contact portions may be provided for each reel 12 in a manner that sandwiches the reel 12, and the resistance application mechanism may be configured such that the pair of contact portions sandwiches both flange portions 12b, 12b of the reel 12 and applies a clamping force to the sides of both flange portions 12b, 12b to apply a pressing force (rotational resistance).

[0077] (2) Regarding the resistance-applying mechanism, the resistance-applying mechanism 40 in the above embodiment includes an adjustment mechanism 50 as an adjustment unit for adjusting the pressing force that the braking member 44, which is a pressing unit, applies to the corresponding reel 12, and the adjustment mechanism 50 (adjustment unit) is provided for each braking member 44 (pressing unit). However, in the present invention, even if the support mechanism is equipped with a resistance-applying mechanism, the resistance-applying mechanism is not limited to having an adjustment unit provided for each pressing unit in the manner described above.

[0078] For example, the resistance-applying mechanism may be configured such that a single adjustment unit is provided for all contact points, and the contact force is adjusted collectively by this single adjustment unit. Specifically, when the contact points have the same configuration as the braking member 44 in the above embodiment, the resistance-applying mechanism may be configured such that all contact points are connected by a rod (connecting rod) provided parallel to the second support rod 43b, and a (single) adjustment unit is provided between the connecting rod and the second support rod 43b. However, in that case, the contact force from each contact point will all be the same magnitude.

[0079] Furthermore, the resistance-applying mechanism may be configured without an adjustment section (i.e., the pressing force applied to the reel 12 by the pressing section cannot be adjusted). Specifically, a tension spring may be provided between each pressing section and the second support rod 43b, and the resistance-applying mechanism may be configured such that each tension spring constantly biases the corresponding pressing section toward the reel support section 23 (flange section 23a). In this case, the pressing force applied by each pressing section to the reel 12 will be a predetermined magnitude corresponding to the elastic force of the tension spring.

[0080] (3) Regarding the resistance-applying mechanism, the resistance-applying mechanism 40 of the above embodiment is configured such that a braking member 44 as a pressing portion is provided for each reel 12. However, the resistance-applying mechanism is not limited to one in which a pressing portion is provided for each reel 12, but may also be configured such that the pressing portion is provided as a single member common to all reels 12. Specifically, the resistance-applying mechanism may be configured such that a member (for example, rod-shaped) is provided parallel to the support portion of the support mechanism and covers the area in which all reels 12 exist, and the pressing portion is pressed against the outer circumferential surfaces of both flange portions 12b, 12b of all reels 12, thereby applying a pressing force (rotational resistance) to each reel 12.

[0081] Furthermore, the resistance-applying mechanism is not limited to being provided in the support mechanism 20 (i.e., the support mechanism 20 is equipped with the resistance-applying mechanism 40), as in the resistance-applying mechanism 40 of the above embodiment, but may also be provided in the creel device 11.

[0082] For example, the contact portion may consist of a single member as described above. Furthermore, the contact portion may be provided on the creel device 11 so as to be able to contact all the reels 12 (both flange portions 12b, 12b) in the unit body when it is installed on the creel device 11, and a resistance application mechanism may be configured so as to apply a pressing force (rotational resistance) to each reel 12 by the contact portion.

[0083] Alternatively, the creel device 11 may be provided with an axis parallel to each support axis 13, and a belt-shaped member may be stretched between each reel support portion 23 (flange portion 23a) and its axis in the unit body when installed in the creel device 11. Then, a resistance-applying mechanism may be configured to apply rotational resistance to the reel 12 through the sliding resistance between the belt-shaped member and the reel support portion 23. In this case, the belt-shaped member becomes the contact portion.

[0084] (4) Regarding the configuration of the unit, in the above embodiment, the unit 30 is configured such that each reel 12 is supported by the support portion 21 of the support mechanism 20 via the reel support portion 23. However, if the resistance application mechanism is configured to directly apply a pressing force (rotational resistance) to the reel 12 as described above, the unit may be configured such that the reel 12 is directly supported by the support portion of the support mechanism without going through the reel support portion 23. In that case, it is desirable to provide a spacer or the like between adjacent reels 12, 12.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the support portion 21 in the support mechanism 20 is a single pipe-shaped member with a length sufficient to support all of the reels 12. However, in the present invention, the support portion is not limited to being formed from a single member, but may be formed by combining multiple members. For example, an annular member having a length approximately the same as the thickness dimension of the reel 12 (or the reel support portion 23 if the reel 12 is supported via the reel support portion 23 of the above embodiment) may be configured to be connectable in the longitudinal direction, and the reel 12 (or the reel support portion 23) may be supported by the annular member. The support portion may then be formed by connecting these annular members.

[0086] (5) Regarding the configuration for setting the unit body of the warp supply device on the creel device, in the above embodiment, the support portion 21 of the support mechanism 20 is made of a pipe-shaped member, and the pipe-shaped support portion 21 is fitted onto the support shaft 13 provided on the creel device 11, thereby configuring the warp supply device 10 so that the unit body is set on the creel device 11. However, in the warp supply device of the present invention, the configuration for setting the unit body on the creel device is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment.

[0087] For example, the support portion in the support mechanism may be made of a solid cylindrical member. Furthermore, on the creel device side, the support shaft 13 may be omitted, and instead, a mounting portion is provided that is configured to allow the cylindrical support portion to be attached and detached. The warp supply device may then be configured such that the unit body is installed in the creel device by attaching the support portion to the mounting portion in the creel device.

[0088] (6) Regarding the number of reels in the unit, in the present invention, the support mechanism is configured to support a predetermined number of reels 12, and in the above embodiment, the predetermined number is 6. However, in the present invention, the predetermined number can be 2 or more, and can be set appropriately according to the number of warp threads used in weaving, the configuration of the creel device, etc. Furthermore, the multiple unit bodies (support mechanisms) installed in the creel device do not all have to be the same.

[0089] For example, if the number of warp threads used in weaving is 210, then 210 reels 12 will be installed in the creel device. In this case, if the number of support shafts in the creel device is 30, then the number of reels 12 supported by the support mechanism in each unit will be 7. Also, if the number of warp threads is 160 and the number of support mechanisms is 30, then, for example, a unit with a setting of 5 (5 reels 12) and a unit with a setting of 7 (7 reels 12) can be combined, with 25 units having 5 reels 12 and 5 units having 7 reels 12, and these can be installed in the creel device as appropriate. Furthermore, it is not essential to have units installed on all support shafts in the creel device. The number of support shafts to be used can be set appropriately, and then, taking into account the number of support shafts used and the number of warp threads, the number of reels 12 in each unit can be set appropriately.

[0090] If the number of settings differs from that of the above embodiment, the support mechanism can be adapted by, for example, changing the color member to one with a different axial dimension, or by forming the support portion so that its axial dimension corresponds to the number of reels 12 set.

[0091] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Loom 2 Separate winding device 5 Guide rollers T Prepreg Sheet (Warp) 10 Warp thread supply device 11. Creel device 12 reels 12a Winding shaft 12b Flange section 13 Support shaft 14 frames 14a base 14b Standing board section 14d leg 14e Caster 14f L-shaped stay 15 Guide rollers 20 Support mechanism 21 Bearing part 22 Regulatory Department 22a Retaining ring 22b Positioning member 23 Reel support section 23a Tsuba 23b Insertion part 23c Protrusion 24 Color components 30 Units 40 Resistance-adding mechanism 41 Lever member 41a Supported part 41b Extension 43a First support rod 43b Second support rod 44 Braking member (pressing part) 44a Circular groove 50 Adjustment mechanism (adjustment section) 51 Main part 51a Rod member 51b Hook member 52 Nut component 53 Spring component 60 Handle component 61 Large diameter section (operating section) 62 Small diameter section

Claims

1. A warp thread supply device for a loom includes a reel on which tape-shaped flat threads as warp threads are wound in a row, and the same number of such reels as the number of warp threads used in weaving on the loom are installed in the creel device, A support mechanism detachably provided to the aforementioned reel device, comprising a plurality of support mechanisms that support a predetermined number of reels, which is two or more. Each support mechanism comprises a axial support portion that supports the set number of reels so that each reel can rotate individually, and a restricting portion that restricts the position of the reels in the axial direction of the support portion. A warp thread supply device for a loom, characterized by the following features.

2. Each of the support mechanisms includes a resistance-applying mechanism that applies rotational resistance to each of the reels. The resistance-applying mechanism includes a pressing portion that presses against each of the reels to apply a pressing force in order to apply the rotational resistance. The warp thread supply device for a loom according to feature 1.

3. The resistance-applying mechanism includes a pressing portion for each reel, and an adjustment portion for adjusting the pressing force for each pressing portion. The warp thread supply device for a loom according to feature 2.

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