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July 31, 1934.
w. w. BARDSLEY
1,968,240
BRAIDING MACHINE
Filed Jan. 5, 1933
5 Sheets-Sheet l
.52 2/622
£7 WM?
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July 31, .1934-
w w. w. BARDSLEY
1,968,240
} BRAIDING MACHINE
Filed Jan. s, 1935
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5 Sheets-Sheet 2
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July 31, 1934.
w, w. BARDSL-EY
1,968,240
BRAIDING MACHINE
' Filed Jan. 3, 1933
5 Shéets-Sheet 3 ‘
July 31, 1934.
w; w. BARDSLEY
BRAIDING MACHINE
Filed Jan. 3, 1933
1,968,240
'
5 Sheets-Sheet 4
July 31, 1934.
w. w. BARDSLEY
1,968,240
BRAIDING MACHINE
Filed Jan. 3, 1953
5 Sheets-Sheet 5
1,968,24h
Patented July 31, 1934
UNITED‘ STATES PATENT
7
1,968,240
BRAIDENG MACHINE
Willard W. Bardsley, Providence, R. I., assignor to
Wardwell Braiding Machine Company, Central
Falls, R. 1., a, corporation of Maine
Application January 3, 1933, Serial No. 649,790
15 Claims.
This invention ' relates to improvements in
(Cl. 96-17)
the beater, part-sectional on line 5—-5 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a detailed view of one of the cams for
such as used for sleeving, for reinforcing rubber operating the beater;
Fig. 7 is a side View of the braid-softener and
hose or for covering wire and like electrical con
doctors. More particularly, the invention con beater ;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the beater dome
sists in a strand manipulator and braid-softener,
so-called, for controlling the disposition of the and softener mandrel shown in disassembled
braided strands to form a relatively loosely relationship ;
Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the annular sta—
braided fabric.
'
'
>
as5
One object of the invention is to provide means tionary strand support with which the beater
10
parts
cooperate;
and
fo'r'controllin-g the disposition of the strands as
Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are plan views showing
they merge in the fabric being braided.
braiding machines for producing tubular braids
Another object of the invention is to provide the relationship of the crossing strands as they
control means which‘ act to maintain the braiding lead to the braid and illustrating the manner
angle of the strands substantially constant to pro‘
duce a more uniform braid.
in which their crossing points are periodically 70,
shifted by means of the vibrating beater device.
The invention is herein shown ‘as applied to a
Another object of the invention is to provide
means for raising or lifting the braiding strands machine of the type described and illustrated in
at intervals during their passage into the fabric United States Letters Patent No. 1,602,442, dated
October 12, 1926, wherein two sets of yarn-sup
the crossing points to impose undue tension plies are arranged in tiers and revolved in oppo
20 toprevent them from catching and dragging at
thereon.
’
Another object'of the invention is ‘to provide
in a machine of the type speci?ed a central man
25 drel or'fornier around which the strands are
braided in relatively tight formation and the
tubular braid thereafter pushed off either in the
site ‘directions about the axis of the machine.
The strands of yarn from the supplies of the
upper tier lead directly to the braiding point and
the strands from the ‘lower supplies are caused 80.
to pass over and under the supplies of the upper
set to perform the braiding operation.
It is to
form of sleeving or as a braided covering which be understood, however, that the present improve
ments may be applied to other forms of braiding
‘
85
Another object of the invention is to provide a or like machines.
Referring ?rst to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the
strand-controlling and braid-softening device of
simple construction, proof against derangement braiding machine as herein shown is mounted
or getting out of order and which may be easily upon a frame 2 supported from the floor by legs
applied to machines already in use without ina 3 and comprises oppositely rotating heads 4 and 90
5 carrying upper and ‘lower supply-carriers 6
" ter‘ial change in the construction thereof.
¥ Further objects of ‘the improvement are set and '7. The carriers 6 and '7 carry the supply
forth in the following speci?cation which de packages P and P’ from which the yarn, thread
scribes a preferred embodiment of the invention, or other strand material feeds upwardly to the
by way of example, as illustrated by the accom braiding point of the machine. 'The upper pack
ages P are arranged circumferentially of the head
40 panying drawings. In the drawings:
1 is a front elevation of a braiding machine 4 with their axes inclined toward the vertical
embodying the improved features of the present axis of the machine and the strands :1/ drawing
is loose on its core.
30
off from the supplies pass through tension-de
Fig. '2 is a vertical se'ctionalview through the vices, indicated generally by the reference char 100
’ central turret of the machine and illustrating acter l0, and thence lead to the braiding point
the strand-controllingor beater elements in de to be enmeshed in the braid. The lower pack
invention;
pressed position;
r’ig. 3 is a similar sectional view showing the
ages 'P' are supported on the carriers or brackets
'7 spaced about the head 5 with their axes ar
beater device in raised position at the completion ranged substantially at right-angles to the axes 105
of the upper packages P. ‘The strands y’ from
of the stroke to lift the strands;
Fig. 4 ‘is an enlarged plan View of the central the packages P" pass through tension-devices 11
turret of the braiding machine shown with a and thence draw upwardly to the fabric being
braided. During the revolution of the supplies
portion of its cap or cover broken away to illus
in opposite directions about the axis of the
‘crate the mechanism enclomd therein;
the strands from the lower packages 110
Fig. :5 is a plan view of "the driving means for
2
1,968,240
P’ are caused to pass over and under the upper
carriers 6 by the operation of means as shown
by screws 45. Held fast within the bore of the
bushing 43 is a tubular sleeve 46 extending up
and described in the patent above referred to. wardly therefrom to support a tubular mandrel
The machine is driven from a shaft 12 journaled or former 50 which serves as an element of the
in a bracket 13 at one side of the frame 2 and
carrying a pulley 14 which may be belted to a
motor or other suitable source of power.
The
braid-softener.
The forming mandrel 50 about which the
strands. are enmeshed or braided takes the form
inner endof the shaft 12 is connected to drive of a nozzle-shaped tube having a lower enlarged
the heads 4 and 5 through the means of gearing base 51 which is exteriorly threaded to screw into
10 in the manner as illustrated in the prior patent ‘the upper interiorly threaded end of the sleeve 46.
before referred to.
In braiding machines of the type herein illus
The upper shank portion 52 of the mandrel 50
has its periphery tapered to adapt the tubular
trated the core w upon which the covering is
braided, or in other cases the tubular fabric it
fabric to slide off from its end after the strands
are braided, therearounvd. The base of the man
15 self, is fed through the machine by means of a
drel 50 has its axial bore flared outwardly at the
The capstan 15 is bottom to form a bell-shaped mouth for facilitat—
journaled on a stud-shaft 16 fast in a cross
ing the threading of the core to through the tubu
strut 17 extending diagonally‘ across the top of lar shank 52 in preparing the machine for opera
the machine and supported by uprights or stand tion. 7 The shank 52 of the mandrel 50 is shoul
20 ards i8 rising from the frame 2. The capstan dered at 55 to form an enlarged cylindrical bear
95
15 is driven from the machine by means of gear
ing 54 below its tapered portion.‘ A plurality, of
ing as next described. A pinion-gear 19 on the grooves 53 are formed in the cylindrical portion
machine drive-shaft 12 meshes with a larger gear 54 of the mandrel 50 to provide keyways for a
20 fast on a shaft 21 which is journaled in the reciprocable dome 82 to be later described. Re
25 bearing bracket 13. Keyed to the end of the ferring to Figs. 7 and 8, the mandrel 50 as herein L503
take-up reel or capstan 15.
shaft 21 is a gear 22 which meshes with a simi
lar gear 23 connected to a sprocket 24. The
sprocket 24 is connected by a chain 25 to drive
a sprocket 26 fast on a shaft 27 which is jour
30 naled in a bearing 28. Keyed to the opposite end
shown is adapted to accommodate a core of cir
cular cross-section and of relatively smalldiam
eter but in other cases it may be much larger and‘
take different forms. For example, when a r,ec-'
tangular, elliptical or polygonal core is to be cov
of the shaft 27 is a change-gear 29 which meshes ered a mandrel having similarly formed outer
with a larger change-gear 30 on a shaft 31. The and inner contours may be provided.
,
hub of the gear 30 carries a sprocket 32 which is‘
Surrounding the upper end of the sleever46 is a
connected by a chain 33 to drive a sprocket 34
35 fast on the end of an upper shaft 35. The shaft‘
35 is journaled in a bearing in the cross-strut
17. At its opposite end the shaft 35 carries a
small pinion gear 36 which meshes with a ring”
gear 37 on the side of the rim'of the capstan 15.
40 It will be understood that through the gear train
and chain connections above described the cap
stan 15 is driven from the drive-shaft 12 at a
reduced rate of speed to take up the braided
product which is fed therefrom to a wind-up
45 reel, not shown, in accordance with the usual ar
rangement. The rate of feed of the braided ma
bushing 57 formed with a circumferential ?ange
58 at its lower end which rests upon the ?ange 44 i '
of the bushing 43. The bushing 57 is slitted cir
cumferentially at 56 and split longitudinally on
one side as shown at 59 in Figs. 2 and ‘5 to provide
a resilient section adapted to be clamped tightly
around the sleeve 46 by means to be later de- ‘1
scribed.‘ Rotatably, mounted on the bushing 57
and abutting its bottom ?ange 58 is a gear 601
having’ an annular rim formed with beveled teeth.
The gear 60 constitutes the driving element for
actuating the'beater mechanism in the manner i
as later explained. The gear 60 is formedwithj
terial is governed by the speed of revolution of a radial arm 61 adapted to engage-with the side,
the braiding carriers, the diameter of the core of a stud 63 projecting upwardly from the turret
and the size of yarn being braided to produce a like top of the head 4 whereby the gear is rotated
50 fabric having the required number of > picks or
crosses per inch. To vary the feed the speed of
by and with the head. The stud 63 projects up '
55 trolled by means of a starting handle 38 connect
the yarn-carriers. 7
wardly through an arcuate slot 64 in the top'of
the capstan may be altered by substituting gears the turret, ‘see Fig. 4, to adapt it for adjustment.
of different ratio for the change-gears 29 and 30. circumferentially of the head to time the action
The operation of the machine is manually con-. of the beater synchronously with the movement of
ed to a shipper-arm 39 for operating a clutch, in
dicated generally at 40 in Fig. 1.- The clutch 40
A nut 65 on the stud 63se- 1.:
cures the latter in adjusted position.
Clamped around the bushing 57 above the an~4
connects the pulley 14 rotatively with the shaft nular gear 60 is a spider-member .68 formed with.
12 to drive the heads 4 and 5 which revolve the
Suit
60 supply-carriers 6 and 7 in their orbits.
able stopping mechanism is usually provided for
arresting the operation of the machine when a
strand breaks'or its supply is exhausted, such a
form of mechanism being shown and described.
65: in United States Letters Patent No. 1,085,369,
dated January 27, 1914.
'
a pluralityv of arms 69 radiating from a central
hub 70, see Fig.;4.-- The hub .70 is split at 71 and ~.~
provided with ears 72 through which extendsa
binding screw 73. The screw 73 serves to clamp,
the spider-member 68 to the bushing 57 and the
latter in turn contracts the split section of the
bushing around the inner sleeve 46'. In this man- ,
ner the bushing 57 and spider-member 68 are
secured fast to the inner sleeve 46 which is 'sta-.
The strand-manipulator and braid-softener of
the present invention is organized with the braid—' tionary with the post 42. The ends of the radial
ing machine in the manner as next described.
T Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, 42 designates a central
hollow post or axial bearing member which is sta-'
tionary with the frame of the machine and about,
which the heads 4 and 5 rotate. The axial bore of '
arms 69 of the spider-member 68 are recessed at
74 to provide seats for engagement with an an?’ 1:
nular shouldered seat 75 on the inside of a cap
76 which is supported thereon above the top of the
turret on the head 4; The cap 76 serves as a cover
_ the post 42 is lined with a bushing 43 having an; for enclosing the operating elements of the heater
annular ?ange 44 secured to the top of the post: and is provided with an upwardly projecting ring 1
3
1596.8,240
or annulus 77 ?tted to an interior seat '78 therein. clearly in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and in the
The upper rim of the ring ‘7'7 is rounded on its lower edge of the lateral portion of the slot 95 is
edges to provide a smooth rest or support for the an arcuately shaped depression or notch 96. A
strands of yarn as they draw thereacross in feed stud 97 riveted through the annular shell 87 of the
ing to the braid.
Supported from the spider-member‘ 6'8 isa. sec
ond inner ring or annular rest for the strands
consisting in a cylinder '79 formed with depending
legs 80 as shown in detail in Fig. 9. The legs 30 of
the annulus '79 are fastened to an upper vertical
?ange-portion 81 of the spider-member 68 by,
means of screws 83, see Fig. 2. The upper rim of
the annulus 79 is positioned slightly above the top
beater 84 projects radially therefrom for engage
ment with the bayoneteslot 95 in the skirt of the
dome 82. It will be noted that the lateral por
tion of the slot 95 is tapered and by turning the
dome in clockwise direction the stud v97 is caused
to slide into the narrower portion of the slot to .85
force it into the depression or notch 96. A spanner
wrench may be used for turning the dome, being
provided with prongs for engaging holes 99 in the
of the outer ring or annulus 77 on the cap '16 as de
sides of the dome. In this way the dome 82 may
under the yarns y from the upper set of supplies
dome in securing the latter in position and con
sequently the threaded base of the mandrel is
not seated before the dome is applied to posi~
tion.
be attached to the beater after the latter is in
15 ?ned by the inclination of the strands leading place while providing for its convenient removal
thereacross to the braiding point.
The strands drawing across the ?xed rings or therefrom when occasion requires. It is further
annuli 7'7 and 79 in feeding to the braiding point noted that since the dome 821's keyed to the man
cross and recross each other in pairs as the yarns drel 50 by the prongs 90 engaging the grooves 53
y’ from the lower supplies are de?ected over and in the latter, the. mandrel will be turned with the
20
by the braiding action. As the crossing points of
the strands approach the rim of the outer annulus
'77, and likewise that of the inner annulus '79,
in
passing into the braid the crosses tend to catch
25
90
The arms 86 depending from the beater 85 are 100
on the rings to impede their progress intorthe'
braid. This will result in a drag which aug
ments the tension on the strands to draw them
tighter and cause irregularities in the braided
bowed outwardly and then extended downwardly
chine comprises essentially a vertically recipro
cable ring or annulus 85 disposed concentrically
with and between the outer ?xed annulus '77 and
the inner ?xed annulus 79. The beater 84 is
shown in detail in Fig. '7 of the drawings as com
sleeves 106 project axially from the sides of the
cam-disks 105 to abut the ends of the bosses 109 120
and take the form of beveled pinions having teeth
on their peripheries engaging the teeth of the
driving gear 60. Through these connections the
means as later described. The top of the dome 82
sleeve 46 until its shouldered portion brings up '»
or" the ring or annulus '77 and provided at its
with a circular aperture 88 through which
the forming mandrel 50 projects. The rim of the
aperture 38 in the dome 82 is formed with teeth
or prongs 90 projecting radially into the grooves
53 in the mandrel 50 whereby to key the dome
turned back in the reverse direction approxi
mately two full turns and the dome 82 placed over
its end and slid downwardly thereon with its
to slide in vertical slots 100 in the hub of the
spider-member 68, see Figs. 2 and 3.
Riveted
through the lower end of each arm 86 is a shoul
fabric. In such conditions, as the crosses are derecl stud 101 which serves as a journal for a bowl 105
?nally released to slide over the rings the ten or roller 102. ‘The rollers 102 journaled on the
sion on the strands will be suddenly relieved to arms 36 are engaged with undulating cam-grooves
further disturb the uniformity of the braid. It 104- in three. disks 105, see Figs. 5 and 6, carried
is one object of the present invention to preserve by the spider-member 68. The cam-disks 105
' the uniformity of the braided fabric by preventing have hubs secured rotatively to inner sleeves 106 118
the crosses in the strands from catching or being by means‘ of keys 107 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
impeded as they pass into the braid and for this The sleeves 106 are journaled on pins 108 pro
purpose a reciprocating heater is provided to pc jecting from radial bosses 109 on the sides of the
riodically lift the strands off from their rests or hub of the spider-member 68 and secured in the
supports to free the crosses so that their passage bosses by cross-pins 110. Washers 111 are held 115
against the outer ends of the hubs of the cam
into the fabric will be unhindered.
Referring particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 7, the disks 105 by means of cotter pins 112 engaged in‘
beater device 84 as embodied in the present ma holes in the ends of the journal pins 108. The
prising a cylindrical portion 85 surrounding the cam-disks 105 are rotated from the turning move
inner ?xed ring '79 and provided with three de ment. of the gear 60 with the head 4 and the cam 1.2a.
pending arms 86, only one of which is shown in grooves 104 arethereby caused to reciprocate the
the drawings, by means of which it is reciprocated. . beater with a relatively rapid oscillating motion
Also forming a part of the beater 84 is an inner as the heads 4 and '5 revolve in opposite directions
annulus or cylindrical shell 87 which surrounds about the axis of the machine.
The method of operation of the complete ma 13d
the central sleeve 45 and is adapted to slide up
and down thereon. Surmounting or capping the chineis as next explained. To prepare the braider
foroperation a mandrel 50 of suitable form and
inner annulus or shell 87 is the dome 82,.pre
viously referred to, which is ?tted to a reduced seat size is selected and applied to the top of the ma
on the beater and removably secured thereto by chine by screwing its base 51 into the end of the
is of spherical shape projecting above the top against the top thereof. The mandrel 50 is then
prongs 90 engaging the grooves 53. As the dome .
.82 is slid downwardly the stud 97 on the beater '
84: is entered into the vertical portion of the bayo
net-slot
95 and by manually turning the dome the
thereto to prevent it from rotating therearound.
Preferably, the upper surface of the demo 8?. is stud is caused to slide into the lateral portion of
r ' scored with a series of concentric grooves 91, thus
providing that the strands drawing thereacross
to the braid are relieved of frictional contact with
the slot to engage with the notch 96 to lock the
partsv in connection.
-
'
7 When a core such as a wire, represented in the
drawings at w, is to be covered with braid, or in
The lower cylindrical skirt of thedome 82 is other cases when the braided covering is to be
150
' formed with a bayonet-slot 95, as illustrated most applied to a rubber tube or hose pipe, the core is
the full surface of the dome.
4..
1,968,240
led upwardly from its supply reel,§.not herein less diagrammatically .in ' Figs. 10 to 13 of the
shown and passed through the axial opening of drawings as viewed in connection with Figs. 2 and
the machine and the bore of the 'mandrel’50 as 3. ' In Fig.‘ 10, which is a plan view ‘of the operat
shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The leading end of .the ing elements of the beater device, the strands of
wire 20 or other core" is then passed around the yarn y and y’ are shown in position correspond 80
rim of the take-up wheel or capstan 15 to cause ing to their relationship‘ to the parts-as illustrated
it to be fed through the machine when the braid; in Fig. 2 of the drawings. That is to say, at this
ing operation is started.
point in the operation of the machine the strands
The supply-packages P and P’ of yarn, thread, y and 1/’ rest across the edges of the ?xed rings 77
cord or other strand material are applied to the and 79 and those of each pair are crossed at a 85
upper and lower carriers 6 and 7 and the strands point outside of the periphery of the outer ?xed
y and y’ drawn off therefrom and passed through ring '77. With the strands thus disposed their
the tension-devices 10 and 11 to lead toethe braid crosses will tend to catch or drag on the edge of
ing point above the top of the dome 82. The ends the ring 77 to impede their progress into the
15 of the strands may be fastened to the mandrel fabric. To prevent such a contingency the op
90
50 or otherwise secured to hold them .until the eration of the beater device is so timed that be
braiding operation commences.
' fore the crosses in the yarns reach the location
To start the braiding operation the handle 38 is shown in Fig. 10 the beater ring85 starts to rise
manually shifted to clutch the pulley 14 to the to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.
I drive-shaftv 12. Through the connections before That is to say, as the crosses reach the rim of
95
described the shaft 12 rotates the heads 4 and5 in the-outer ?xed ring '77 the beater-ring 85 rises
opposite directions to ‘revolve the supply-pacl_<—. and lifts the several pairs of crossing yarns away
ages P and P’ about the axis 'of the machine. To” from the top of the ?xed rings '77 and ‘79; the
effect the braiding action the strands y’ from" dome 82 being also simultaneously raised to lift
25.. the lower ' supplies are de?ected from a normal the'strands at the point where they merge in the
course to pass them alternately over and under the braid. Under this action the crosses will advance 100
upper strands y in the prescribed order‘ to ‘form' inwardly to the edge of the beater-ring 85 as
the braid in accordance with the desired pattern. shown in Fig. 11. . ‘The beater is now depressed
Simultaneously with the turning movement of the or slid downwardly whereby the strands will again
301 heads 4 and 5 the capstan 15 is rotated to feed rest on the two ?xed rings '77 and Y9, the position
the core to through the machine and deliverithe of the crosses at this juncture being illustrated, 105
braided product to a wind-up reel, not herein il in Fig. 12 of the diagrammatic views.
lustrated. The strandsy-and'y’ draw across the
It has been explained that the movement of
upper rim of the ?xed rings 77 and 79 as they lead the beater is very rapid and, consequently, before
to the braiding point which is normally located the crossing points of the yarns. advance to the
above the shouldered portion 55 of the forming edge of the inner ?xed ring ‘79 the beater-ring 85 110
mandrel 50. The strands are enmeshed by thev
is'once again moved upwardly to lift the strands
braiding action to form a tubular braid b enclosing away from the ring '79. This action occurs'with
the mandrel 50 which, as before noted, tapers to the strands related as shown in Fig. 12. After the
40 ward its upper end so that the fabric ‘may. be crossing points of the strands have passed in
'readily slid off therefrom. As the mandrel is wardly beyond the ?xed ring '79 the beater is de 115
greater in circumference than the wire or other pressed once more and ?nally the crosses rest on
core to which the fabric b is applied its use results ‘
the'grooved crown of the‘ dome 82 as indicated
in a relatively-loose fabric on the core. That is
in Fig. 13 of the diagrammatic views. At this
45 to say, while the strands may be braidedv tightly point in the braiding operation the rapid oscilla
120)
'about the mandrel as is required to, secure a
tion of the ‘beater prevents the crosses in the
smooth, uniform fabric, when the tubular braid strands from being retarded in their advance to
is slipped off from the mandrel it will be relatively. the fabric being braided. The purpose of the
loose on the core. Likewise, if no core is used;
grooves 91 on the dome is, as before noted, to re
when the tightly braided tubular fabric is slipped lieve
the'friction on the strands by providing a I
‘oil’ from the mandrel it becomes relatively'loose plurality
of contact points rather than an ex
and soft without tendency of the strands to draw tended surface.
'
together to reduce its size. The feeding ofthe
During the continuation of the braiding opera—
core or the braided tube under the action, of the
capstan tends to draw the fabricb off from the tion the beater device'functions as above ex-"
' mandrel but actually the tubular braid is pushed-v plained to intermittently raise the strands off 130
upwardly to feed it 01f the end of- the mandrel by from their ?xed rests to insure the unhindered
the reciprocating action of the dome 82,‘ carried‘ progress of their crosses into the braid. Mean
by the beater 84, which is intermittently, raised while, the oscillating action of the dome 82 causes
the braid b to be continuously pushed or urged
. against the strands as they merge into thefabric.
The heater and braid-softener cooperate with upwardly on the tapered‘mandrel 50 so that it 135
the braiding mechanism of the machine in the: will feed off from the end thereof to enclose the
manner as next explained. During the rotation core passing through the axial bore of the man
drel or, in other cases, to assume the form of loose
of the heads 4 and 5 the gear 60 is driven from ly
braided sleeving.
'
the head 4 to effect rotation of the cam-disks 7105
In
order
that
the
beater
may function proper 140
at a relatively rapid rate. The cam-disks 105 act
lyvin synchronism with the braiding action it‘
through the arms 86 to vertically reciprocate the
must be timed accurately with the other going
beater 84 whereby to rapidlyoscillate its ring 85 elements of the machine. The timing of the beat
and the dome 82. The effect of the oscillation of; eris effected by adjusting the angular relation
these parts is to periodically lift the strands from. ship of the gear 60 with respectto the driving
their supports on the ?xed rings '77 and 79, the head 4,‘ this adjustment being accomplished by M5
purpose being tofree the strands at theircross sliding the stud 63 in its slot 64. The closeness or
ing points so as to prevent the crosses. from density of the braid is regulated by the size of the,
catching and impeding the progress of the yarns yarn and the diameter‘ of the lower portion of
;into the braid. This action is illustrated more'or the tapered shank 52 of the mandrel 50 where the 150
5,968,246
braiding actiontakes place. The degree of‘ con
striction of the braid on the core is governed by
the rate of’ feed of the fabric o? the mandrel in
relation to the rate of feed of the core; it being
noted that to render the fabric loose on the core
it must be fed from the mandrel at- a rate faster
than that of the advance of the core. To regulate
this characteristic of ‘ the braided product the
5,
annuli, and means for reciprocating the third
annulus and the inner rest.
4. In a braiding machine, the combination of
braiding mechanism, a central post arranged
axially of said mechanism, an annular beater
reciprocable axially on said post, a member fast
on the-post, a cam journaled on said member to
rotate on an axis extending radially thereof, a
ratio between the speed of rotation of the capstan follower on the beater engaging the cam, a gear
- I0
80
and the speedy of the revolving supplies is adjusted on t‘ie cam, and a gear rotatable on the post and 85
by means of the change-gears 29 and 30. 1
'
'
meshing with the gear ‘on the cam to rotate the
It will be observed from ‘the foregoing that the latter.
5. Li a braiding machine, the combination of
present invention provides a highly'e?icient, ‘autc—
matiomachine for fabricating tubular coverings braiding mechanism, a post arranged axially of
themachine, a beater reciprocable longitudinally
ducing soft-braided sleeving. The mandrel pro of the post to periodically engage the strands
15 for wire, hose pipes and other cores, or for pro»
vides a. ?xed former around which the strands leading to the braiding point,v a follower on said
may-be braided under relatively ‘heavy tension beater, a cam journaled to rotate on anaxis ex
whereby to permit high speed operation of the tending radially of the post and'engaging the
£20 machine to secure a rapid rate of production and follower on the beater, a gear on said cam, and a
a uniformproduct. The operation of the machine gear driven with the braiding mechanism and
may be controlled to produce a tubular fabric meshing with the‘ gear .on the cam to rotate the
having the strands braided uniformly about a cen latter.
6. In a. braiding machine, the combination of
tral core with any desired degree of looseness
or tightness thereon. A loose braid of this nature means for interlacing strands to form a braid, an 100
axially arranged mandrel around which the
is of advantage for covering wire or other con
ductors which are ?rst sheathed with soft insue strands are braided, a central strand-rest enclos
lating material such as unvulcanized rubber and ing the mandrel and reciprocable longitudinally
also for reinforcing hose pipe before its rubber thereof, ‘?xed annular rests arranged coneentri~
cally- of the mandrel to adapt the strands to draw 105
walls are vulcanized.
I ‘
thereacross in feeding to the braid, a vibratory
> The present machine has various other uses
annulus arranged concentric with and between
such, ‘for example, as braiding soft coverings on the ?xed annuli, and means to oscillate the vibra~
telephone cords or the like to render them more tory annulus and the central strand rest to peri
pliable and for producing tubular braid which may odically lift the strands away from the ?xed
110
~ be used as sleeving adapted to numerous purposes. annuli.
5 While the invention is herein illustrated and
'7. In a braiding machine, the combination of
described in a preferred form of construction and means for interlacing strands to form a braid,
as applied to a-particular type of machine, it is to an axially arranged mandrel around which the
be understood that various modi?cations may be strands are braided, ?xed annular rests arranged
.919 1
made in the form and arrangement of the parts concentrically oi. the mandrel to adapt the
of the device and in its application to use without strands to draw thereacross in feeding to the
departing from the spirit or scope of the inven braid, a vibratory annulus arranged concentric
tion. Therefore, without limiting myself in this with and between the ?xed annuli, means. for
oscillating the vibratory annulus to periodically 120
in; respect, I claim:
1. In a braiding machine, the combination of lift the strands from the ?xed annuli, and an
a
braiding mechanism, a central support, a form
element movable with the vibratory annulus and
an annulus surrounding the mandrel in spaced
cally engage the strands adjacent the braiding
ing mandrel projecting axially from said support, surrounding the mandrel to adapt it to periodi
point to force the braided fabric toward the end 3125
a dome carried by said annulus in axial relation of the mandrel.
8. In a braiding machine, the combination of
thereto and provided with an opening through
which the mandrel projects, and means for recip two sets of revolving strand supplies, means for
rocating the annulus to oscillate the dome longi interlacing the strands from the supplies to form
a tubular braid, a turret arranged axially of
- H tudinally of the mandrel.
130
2. In a braiding machine, the combination of the strand supplies, an outer ?xed ring sup
ported
from
the
turret
to
adapt
the
strands
to
braiding mechanism, a support arranged axially
of the braiding mechanism, a forming mandrel draw thereacross in feeding to the braid, an
projecting axially from said support, an annular inner ?xed ring supported from the turret in
member surrounding the mandrel in spaced rela concentric relation with the outer ring, a recip
(F39 V.
tion thereto and reciprocable on said support, a rocatory ring arranged between and concentric
member carried by said annular member in axial with the ?xed rings, means operated synchro
relation thereto and provided with a portion sur nously with the braiding action to reciprocate
rounding the axial mandrel, and means for recip the vibratory ring to periodically raise the strands
rocating said annular member longitudinally of away from the ?xed rings, and a member carried 140
by the vibratory ring with its upper portion sur
its axis.
3. In a braiding machine, the combination of rounding the mandrei to adapt it to be recip
braiding mechanism, a support arranged axially rccated therealong to feed the braided fabric off
of the braiding mechanism, an annulus carried the end of the mandrel.
9. In a braiding machine, the combination of ._
1» by said support and disposed to provide a rest for
the strands leading to the braiding point, a sec braiding mechanism, a tubular support arranged
ond ?xed annular rest arranged concentrically of axially of the braiding mechanism, a forming
mandrel projecting axially from said support,
the ?rst annulus, a third reciprocable annulus ar
ranged between the outer and inner annular rests, an annular beater reciprocable axially with re
_ an inner reciprocable rest arranged axially of said spect to the mandrel, means for reciprocating
~~ H relation thereto and reciprocable on the support,
6
1,968,246
the beater, a dome mounted on the beater with
combination of a hollow mandrel, ‘means for’
the mandrel projecting through an opening in feeding a core through the mandrel at a pre
its top, said dome formed with a bayonet-slot, determined rate, means for applying strands
and a stud projecting from the beater for en
around the mandrel to form a tubular covering
gagement with the bayonet-slot in the dome to for the core, and means for forcing the covering 80
secure the parts in connected relationship.
01f from the end of the mandrel at a faster rate
10. In a braiding machine, the combination than the feed of the corewhereby to apply it
of braiding mechanism, a tubular support ar
to the core without constriction of the strands
ranged axially thereof, a tubular mandrel se thereon.
'10 cured in the end of thertubular support, an
13. In a machine of the type speci?ed,‘ the
annular beater reciprocable longitudinally of the combination of a hollow mandrel, means for
tubular support, a dome-shaped member mount feeding a core through the mandrel at apre
ed on ‘the beater with the mandrel projecting determined rate, means for applying a plurality
through an opening in its top, said dome formed of strands to the outside of the mandrel to form
$15 with a bayonet-slot in its skirt with a notch a covering for the core, and intermittently op ~90
in the lateral portion thereof, a stud projecting erated means for pushing the covering off from
from the beater to adapt it to be entered into the end of the mandrel at a faster rate than
the bayonet-slot in the dome to engage it with the feed of the core to apply the covering loosely
the notch therein, and means for reciprocating around the core.
the beater to oscillate the dome longitudinally
14. In a machine of the type speci?ed, the 95
of the mandrel.
combination of a tubular‘ mandrel, means for
11. In a braiding machine, the combination of feeding a core through the mandrel at a pre
braiding mechanism, a turret extending axially determined rate, means for interlacing strands
thereof, a tubular support extending axially of to form a tubular fabric around the mandrel,
25 the turret, a ring supported from the turret in and means for pushing the fabric off from the 100
position to provide a rest for the strands feeding end of the mandrel at a faster rate than the
to the braiding point, a member secured to the feed of the core whereby to prevent the fabric
inner tubular support, an annulus carried on from constricting the core.
said member in concentric relation with the outer
15. In a machine of the type speci?ed, the
?xed annulus, a beater surrounding the central combination of a tapered forming mandrel hav 105
tubular support and reciprocable longitudinally ing a longitudinal bore, means for feeding a
thereof, said beater formed with an annulus ar
core through the mandrel at a predetermined
ranged concentric with the ?xed annuli, and rate, means for interlacing strands, to form a
means for reciprocating the beater to cause its tubular fabric around the mandrel, and means
annular portion to raise the strands off from the for pushing the core off from the end of the 110
?xed annuli to prevent their crosses from drag mandrel onto the core at a faster rate than
ging thereon to impede their progress into the the feed of the latter to prevent constriction of
braid.
the fabric thereon.
12. In a machine of the type speci?ed, the
WILLARD W. BARDSLEY.
115
45
120
50
125
5,5
130
135
65
140
:10
145
r
150