US3059309A - Slasher control - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1962 M. D. BLANTON 3,059,309

SLASHER CONTROL Filed Aug. 16, 1957 INVENTOR. ,f Q MELvlN D. BLANTON lq BY/ FM ATTORNEY United States atent Office 3,059,309 Patented Oct. 23, 1962 3,059,309 SLASHER CONTRL Melvin Don Blanton, 125 Cooper St., Gaffney, S.C. vFiled Aug. 16, 1957, Ser. No. 678,567 19 Claims. (Cl. 28-28) This invention relates to a Slasher apparatus, and more particularly to an improved Slasher frame control and method of operation.

In the operation of Slasher frames a frequent and expensive cause of substantial material and labor loss lies in the occurrence of breakouts in the slashing. As the term is normally employed in the art, a breakout refers to the occurrence of a break in a substantial section of the yarn ends, or slashing as this sheet of yarn ends is normally referred to, such that they w-ill not pass through the expansion comb, and with the result that the slashing take-up beam will with normal conventional operation of the Slasher have a large amount of yarn waste on the beam if the .breakout is not immediately detected and corrected by the operator. -It is -a common occurrence for a breakout of slashing, if not immediately detected by an operator, to cause from 50 to 75 pounds of hard yarn waste to be formed. The loss of this waste to the mill may be of the order of 50 to 60 cents per pound. Thus each breakout at the Slasher may cost the mill up to $25-$45.

Due to the possibility of occurrence of breakouts, as well as wild yarn, loose lint, ends out of lease, broken ends, etc., it iS necessary for the Slasher tender on conventional slashing frames to spend a considerable amount of -time patrolling the front of the Slasher in order to detect and remove or remedy these defects as soon as possible after their occurrence in order to minimize the loss resulting therefrom.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus whereby a material reduction may be made in the amount of waste and loss resulting from breakouts, wild yarn, loose lint, ends out of lease, broken ends, and the like which may frequently occur at the output end of the slashing frame.

It is a 'further object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of wild yarn, loose lint, ends out of lease, broken ends, breakouts, and the like in an automatic and facile manner so as to decrease materially the Slasher tenders patrol work, and thereby effect a material labor saving in the operation of slashing frames.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved method for detecting breakouts, wild yarn, broken ends, and the like in order to permit the operation of the slashing frame at a higher speed and thereby increase the productivity of the Slasher frame.

In carrying out the foregoing and other objects of the invention, a preferred method and physical embodiment according to the invention includes a pivotally mounted comb disposed transversely across the slashing or warp ends on the front section or output end of the Slasher frame, behind the expansion comb and between the expansion comb and the front lease rod. The comb is positioned such that the comb dents or teeth extend downwardly through the sheet of warp yarn being delivered to the expansion comb. The comb dents or teeth are held in a substantially vertical position by means of a weight disposed on an arm or housing on which is mounted a mercury switch or other suitable position-sensitive switch, The comb may be supported for pivotal movement by two suitable bearings disposed at the ends of the comb shaft, and thus the comb can be swung into and out of engagement with the yarn ends of the sheet of warp yarn or slashing. When a breakout occurs or any foreign matter of substantial size cornes through on the yarn as when a teeth by the breakout material or other foreign material,

size or the like carried by the moving yarn, thereby causing the mercury switch to be actuated and substantially immediately cause a decrease in speed of the Slasher' frame. The mercury switch is arranged in circuit relation with the speed control on the Slasher frame, and the actuation of this mercury switch through the pivoting of the comb causes the Slasher frame speed control to decrease the speed of the Slasher drive arrangement to creep speed, which is normally of the order of 5-10 yards per minute or the like, as compared to the 70-90 yards per minute at which the Slasher may be running during normal operation according to this invention. While it is most desirable for the Slasher frame to be brought down.

to a creep speed as distinguished from a complete Stop, in order to prevent the baking of the size onto the yarn during the stopped period, it will be apparent that lthe actuation of the position-sensitive switch could, if desired, be utilized to entirely stop the apparatus immediately. It is an important point, however, that the reduction in Speed of the Slasher frame Substantially immediately upon the detection of the breakout or other defects in the yarn by the pivoted striking comb normally permits the operator to have a suicient length of time to get around to elimi.

nating the difculty without the loss of a material amount of yarn. In one installation according to the present invention the amount of waste poundage per breakout has been reduced from a previous 50-75 pounds per breakout to a present approximately 3 pounds per breakout.

It is also preferred, though optional, according to the invention that the actuation of the mercury switch causes the operation of a Signal, such as a light or buzzer or the like, whereby the operator will be informed that the particular slasher frame has a material defect in the slashingV which requires attention and remedial action. Also, in order to provide for automatic complete stoppage of the Slasher frame in the event that the breakout Vor other defect is so great as to require more time to remedy than is possible while the Slasher frame is operating at creep speed, a timer or an odometer may be employed to completely Stop the Slasher apparatus after a predetermined time interv-al or the passage of a predetermined further length of slashing past the comb after the initial actuation of the mercury switch by the movement of the comb. Thus, in this optional arrangement the operato-r will have a predetermined length of time, or a predetermined length of material running, in which to correct any defect which may have caused the actuation of the mercury switch and the slowing down -of the 'Slasher frame, and if the correction is not made during this time interval then the Slasher frame will be automatically brought to a stop and no further waste will occur in these abnormal situationsl which occur at intermittent intervals.

ADue to the simplicity of operation according to the present invention, the Slasher tender can leave the front of the Slasher unattended for relatively long periods of time, with assurance that the Slasher will go into creep` warp yarn which is desired to be delivered to the loom beam by the Slasher. The application of this invention can materially assist in insuring good quality warp yarn L being delivered, in that defects are detected immediately by the Stop motion arrangement. In `a mill where additional yarn capacity is available and size penetration is@ no problem aty high speeds, with the only limiting factor to higher speeds being quality, the slasher stop motion according to this invention can enable the mill to run its slashers at higher speeds, and thereby increase the productivity ofthe slashers.

While it is old in the art to employv combs as slub catchers or'clearers for yarns or threads in warping machines and beaming machines, so far as I am aware combs have not been employed to detect the occurrence of defects in the warp yarns and to control the warp yarn conveying machinery, particularly in a slasher frame. The previously utilization of combs to act as slub catchers or clearers has tto my knowledge been limited merely to the catching and removing of the slubs or thick portions or the like in the yarn which is being progressed, and while such combs may have been oscillatable or pivotable they have not been employed as detecting combs for controlling the prime motion machinery employed in moving the warp yarns, and particularly there has been no automaic speed control for slashers in which a pivoted comb extending `across the warp slashing width serves to detect material defects in the warp slashing and effect a decrease in speed upon the detection of such a defect.

Still other objects and attendant advantages will become apparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment constructed in accordance with the instant invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURE 1 is a schematic view in perspective of a slasher frame employing the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view in more detail of the detector comb and mounting arrangement therefor and the control circuit associated therewith, and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic end elevation of the detector comb assembly illustrating the position and arrangement of the mercury switch on the pivotally mounted detector comb, with the cover of the switch receptacle partially broken away for clarity of illustration.

Referring now in detail to the figures of the drawings, a detector comb 11 is pivotally mounted in a pair of bearings 13 and 15 supported on shafts 17 and 19 respectively, which shafts are in turn vertically adjustably supported as by a set screw 21 in a respective one of two bearing shaft supports 23 and 25 suitably secured as by screws, welding, or the like, to the frame 33 of the slasher, generally indicated at 31. The comb 11 includes a shaft 11a having a plurality of depending dents or teeth 11b formed or secured thereon and extending downwardly therefrom in the normal position of the comb. Suitably formed or secured on one end of the shaft 11a is a suitably closed receptacle 35 enclosing a mercury switch 37 and having secured thereto a weight 39 which serves to maintain the comb 11 with its dents or teeth 11bv normally in substantially downwardly depending relation such that they will extend downwardly through the slashing or warp yarns Y. The number of yarn ends passing between each pair of teeth 11b may vary, as between the order of one and ten yarn ends per dent or the like, depending upon the number of teeth and the number of yarn ends in the warp set.

As willA be noted from FIGURE 3, in the normal position of the comb, the receptacle 35 is positioned relative to the comb teeth such that the mercury switch 37 has its contacts open. Leads 41 and 43 from the mercury switch 37 are suitably connected to the slasher speed control 45, which is preferably arranged such that when the mercury switch contacts are open and the leads 41 and 43 are thereby disconnected the slasher 31 will run at standard full speed, andv when the mercury switch is moved to closed position through the abnormal defectelfected tilting movement of the comb 11, the Slasher speed control 45 will be actuated to cause the slasher to slow down to creep speed.

'I'he comb 11 is mounted on the front section of the slasher 31, preferably approximately six inches or the like behind the conventional expansion comb 47, and between the expansion comb 47 and the front lease rod 49. With the comb 11 thus positioned such that the comb dents or teeth 11b extend through the sheet of warp Y being delivered to the expansion comb 47, when a breakout occurs or foreign matter comes through on the yarn and the ow of yarn through the comb teeth 11b is obstructed the comb 11 is swung forward, causing the mercury switch 37 to close, thereby substantially immediately causing the Slasher apparatus to be slowed down and permitting the operator to inspect the slashing Y and remove or otherwise remedy the defect.

lIn effecting the speed vdecrease in the illustrated embodiment, the closing of mercury switch 37 causes the energization of `a relay holding circuit 51, including a relay 53, which in turn results in the energization of a second motor control relay circuit including a relay whereby the Slasher drive motor or motors 57 is slowed down substantially immediately to creep speed. Also in the preferred embodiment the energization of relay 53 eects energization of a suitable signal, such as a light 59 and/or a bell 61 `or other signal as may be desired, as well as a timer or time controlling device 63 which is interconnected in controlling relation with the motor 57.

To this end Ithe relay 53 is provided with three pairs of contacts including a normally closed pair of contacts 65, 67 and two pairs of normally open contacts 69, 71 and 73, `and associated contacts. The normally closed contacts 65, 67 are arranged in series with the energizing coil 55a of the second relay 55. Thus, upon the energization of relay 53 the normally closed holding circuit conftacts 65, 67 will be opened thereby causing the normally energized motor control relay 55 to drop out, the starting switch 77 being normally open during operation and the motor 57 being maintained at normal high speedthrough the self-holding energization of the relay 55.

Also upon the energization of relay 53 the closing of the contacts 69, 71 closes the energizing circuit to the time controlling device 63 and signals 59 and 61. The relay 53 is effectively held in energized state through the closing of its self-holding contacts 73, 75 and remains in this state until the operator presses the spring biased start switch 77 which thereby effectively opens switch 79 which is mechanically or otherwise operatively interconnected with start switch control button 77. Opening of switch 79 results in the opening of the relay 53, provided that the mercury switch 37 has been returned to its open position. If the switch 37 has not been returned to its normal open position the pressing of the starter button 77 will not have the effect of deenergizing the relay 53, since the switch 37 is arranged in overriding relation to the switch 79.

A suitable manually operated switch 81 may be provided in series with the parallel or otherwise suitably connected signals 59 and/or 61 as may be desired in order to permit the operator to disconnect these signals after they have served their purpose of indicating that the slasher is operating at low or creep speed and that attention is needed immediately, without requiring deenergization of the time controlling device 63. Preferably the switch 81 is mechanically or otherwise operatively interconnected with the start switch 77, as shown, as by a suitable linkage connection such as a lost-motion connection 83, such that upon pressing the start switch 77 the switch 81 will be again closed and will remain closed until the operator manually opens this switch 81, even though the start switch 77 may be normally spring pressed to open position upon release by the operators hand.

The motor 57 may have any suitable speed varying or ladjusting means, and in the instant illustrated example the speed varying or `adjusting means comprises two parallel impedance connections 85 yand 87 either of which i may be selectively interconnected inoperative circuit connection with the motor 57 by the relay 55. The normal full speed impedance connection is indicated by the line 85 whereas the low or creep speed impedance connection is indicated by the line 87 including impedance 87a. As will be seen the normal speed connection is interconnected inoperative circuit relation with the motor 57 through the energization of relay 55 and closing of contacts 89, 91, whereas the motor will be thrown into creep speed through the deenergization of relay 55 and closing 'of contacts 93, 95. To the end that the motor 57 will be normally held at normal operating speed the relay 55 is effectively held in self-holding relation through ia selfholding circuit including contacts 97, 99 which are closed upon the energization of the relay by the closing of start switch 77. Thus, the closing of start switch 77 effectively opens the holding circuit for relay 53 through the opening of switch 79, as well as causing the closing of signal control switch 81. The closing of start switch 77 also effectively deenergizes stop relay 101 in the event the stop relay has been `actuated previously in order to stop the motor or motors 57. The deenergization of the stop relay 1, next to be described, is effected through the opening of contacts 103, 105 upon'the energization of relay 55, these contacts being arranged in series relation in the holding circuit for the stop relay 101.

A suitable stop circuit may be arranged in the form of a normally open spring biased stop switch 10'7 which is arranged in circuit relation with a stop relay 101 having a stop rel-ay holding circuit including normally open self-holding circuit contacts 111, 113 and normally closed motor control contacts 115, 117. The stop relay 101 also includes a pair of normally closed contacts 119, 12'1 which are arranged in series circuit relation in the holding circuit of the motor start tand control rel-ay 55. Thus upon the closing of stop switch 107 the stop relay 101 wi-ll be energized, and will also be held in self-energizing relation through the closing of contacts 111 and 1-13 until released by subsequent closing of start switch 77. 'Ihe energiztation of stop relay 101 also effectively opens the power circuit to the motor 57 through the opening of normally closed contacts 115 and 117, and further opens the holding circuit to the normally energized start and motor control relay 55 through the opening of normally closed contacts 119', 121.

It will be apparent that upon the subsequent closing of start switch 77 the motor control relay 55 will be energized, thereby opening the stop relay 101 and substantially immediately restoring the power to the motor 57 through closing of contacts 115, 117, and effectively establishing the holding circuit of the relay 55v through the closing of the contacts 119, 121 and 97, 99, provided that the mercury switch 37 is not closed at this time. This energization of the starter and motor control relay 55 thus also starts or restores the operation of the drive motor 5-7 to a normal operating speed through the closing of contacts 89, 91. Also, upon the closing of start switch 77 and the consequent deenergization of relay 53, the time controlling device 63 and the signals 59 and 61 will be deenergized, provided that the position sensitive switch 37 has been returned to its normal open position. The time controlling device 63I may be of any lsuitable conventional or other desired construction, as will be ap-V parent to those skilled in the art, and is preferably of the type which is self-resetting upon deenergiz-ation. Thus it will be seen that the time controlling device 63 will in the preferred embodiment return to its initial condition upon the closing of the start switch 77 land restoring of the slasher 31 to normal speed, irrespective of whether the time controlling device has previously stopped the sl-asher 31 through expiration of a predetermined selected time or whether this predetermined selected time has not expired and the Slasher 31 is still running at creep speed, or otherwise as may be desired, by the closing of mercury switch 37.

abstracta To the end that the time controlling device 63 will be in controlling relation with the drive motor or motors 57 the time controlling device includes, or is operatively mechanically or otherwise interconnected las indicated at 123 with, ya normally open switch 125 in parallel with stop switch 107, such that upon the completion of a predetermined time after energization of the time controlling device 63 the switch `125 `will be closed, and will remain closed until the time controlling device is reset by the closing of the start switch 77, with the consequent opening of the energizing circuit to the time controlling device 63 (or the time control device 63= may be other- Wise reset as desired as by direct manual reset, if desired).

Referring now generally to the operation of the Slasher and control arrangement -associated therewith according to the invention as illustrated in the illustrative embodiment, the comb 11 is normally maintained by gravity in a downwardly extending direction whereby the mercury switch 37 will be normally open. The movement of the comb 11 to a preselected abnormal angular position through the passage of defects into contact with t-he dents or teeth 11b of the comb causes the closing of mercury switch 37, and the energization of relay 53, thereby energizing signals 59 and 61 and time controlling device 63. The energization of relay 53 also results in the substantially immediate change of speed of drive motor or motors 57 to creep through the deenergization of motor control relay 55 whereby the creep speed impedance 87a will be connected in circuit relation in the motor power circuit. The operator is informed by the signals 59 and/or 61 that the Slasher needs attention and he may then manually open the switch 81 to deenergize the signals in order that they may not disturb him and interfere with his work in remedying the trouble in the slashing Y. The operator may then work on the slashing Y to remedy the defect Whichhas `caused the Slasher to slow down to creep speed, and in the event that he iixes it before a preselected predetermined time has expired, he will then push the spring biased normally open start switch 77 to thereby reenergize the start relay 55 and restore the motor 57 lto normal speed operation through the closing of contacts 89, 91 of relay 55. In the event that the operator does not remedy the defect prior to the expiration of this time interval the time controlling device 63 causes closing of switch tov thereby stop the slasher drive motor or motors 57. In the event that the operator may desire to stop the aparatus for any particular reason he `may do so by closing the normally open spring pressed stop switch 107 which effectively deenergizes the start and control relay 55 and closes the stop relay 101 upon itself to thereby hold itself in energized relation until the subsequent closing of start switch 77. Closing of stop switch 107 and energization of stop relay 101 opens the power circuit to the motor 57 through the opening of contacts 115, 117, to thereby effectively stop the movement of slashing Y through the Slasher 3L Upon the subsequent closing of the start switch 77 the entire control 45 will be reset to initial operating condition, and the motor 57 will be energized to run at normal speed provided that .the mercury switch 37 has been returned to its normally open position through the returning'of the comb 11 to its normally downwardly extending running position.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3 it will be seen that the detecting sensitivity of the comb 11 may be selectively adjusted in one or both of two Ways, the iirst including the raising or lowering of the comb 11 to thereby set the teeth of the comb at a more shallow depthor a greater depth. As will be apparent, a more shallow depth setting of *the teeth int-o the slashing Yv will render the comb substantially `more sensitive to the occurrence of defects than -a deeper setting of the comb, primarily due tothe increased lever arm which the comb teeth 11b form when they are at the more shallow setting. A second method of adjusting the sensitivity includes the adjustment of the position of mercury switch 37 about the axis of the comb and relative to the comby teeth 11b such` that more or less motion of the comb is required to close the switch contacts. This ymay obviously be accomplished either by a selectively angularly adjustable mount i27 which may have a spring clamp 127a of conventional construction for holding the mercury switch 37 in the receptacle 35 or a selectively angularly adjustable connection between the comb shaft 11a and the receptacle 35, as by a screw set adjustable collar coupling 129 xed to the receptacle 35 and angularly adjustable on the shaft 11a, or otherwise adjustable as may be desired. The mercury switch mount 127 may be mounted for selective angular adjustment on the inner wall 35a yof the receptacle 35 as by any suitable adjustable pivot connection therebetween (not shown), such as a pin fixed on the inner face of the wall 35a and extending into a complementary bore formed in the adjacent face of the mount block 127, any desired angular position of the mount block 127 with respect to the receptacle being maintained as by friction between the pin and bore or by a set screw in the mount 127. It will be apparent that while the circuit arrangement has been illustrated with the mercury switch contacts being normally open and the closing of these contacts causing the apparatus to be slowed down, the apparatus might suitably employ an arrangement wherein the mercury switch would be normally closed and the opening of the mercury switch would cause the apparatus to slow down, if such were desired.

In accordance with the invention I have found in one preferred embodiment that the utilization of a detector comb 11 having 500 to 600 dents or teeth is quite suitable when an expansion comb is utilized which has a more or less corresponding number of dents. Also, in one preferred embodiment, a striking comb having teeth of approximately two and one-half inches length and a striking comb of 55 inch length has been found quite suitable, While a one-quarter pound Weight `or the like has been found to be ample to provide for suitable retention of the comb in the desired downwardly depending running position. As an example of a comb which may be employed Vin accordance with this invention I have found that standard counting combs may be quite suitably adapted for such use and may thus be pivotally mounted for employment as the detecting or striking comb 11.

While I have shown only one preferred embodiment constructed according to my invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments might suitably be rnade without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the particular construction of the illustrated embodiment, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a warp yarn handling frame having a drive means adapted to linearly progress a sheet of warp yarn ends therethrough, and a multiple-speed control operatively connected to said drive means, the improvement comprising support means, a detector comb having a plurality of teeth and being pivotally mounted on said support means, said comb being normally disposed with said teeth extending removably downwardly into said sheet of warp yarn ends and between said warp yarn ends for entry into and out of said sheet of warp yarn ends without requiring the moving of the sheet of warp yarn ends, and a positionsensitive switch operatively connected to said multiple speed control which is responsive to a. predetermined pivotal movement of said comb to set a further new condition.

2. In a Warp yarn handling frame having a drive means adapted to linearly progress a sheet of warp yarn ends therethrough, the improvement comprising support means, a detector comb having a plurality of teeth and being pivotally mounted on said support means, said comb being normally disposed with said teeth extending intor said sheet of warp yarn ends and between said warp yarn ends, a position-sensitive switch operatively connected to a condition responsive device which is responsive to a predetermined pivotal movement of said comb to set a further new condition, and means for varying the sensitivity of said comb to the occurrence of comb-moving obstructions in said sheet of warp yarn ends.

3. In a warp yarn handling frame having a drive means adapted to linearly progress a sheet of warp yarn ends therethrough, the improvement comprising support means, a detector comb having a plurality of teeth and being pivotally mounted on said support means, said comb being normally disposed with said teeth extending into said sheet of warp yarn ends and between said warp yarn ends, a position-sensitive switch operatively connected to a condition responsive device which is responsive to a predetermined pivotal movement of said comb to set a further new condition, the latter device including a Warning signal device, said position-sensitive switch being operatively connected to said Warning signal device and responsive to said predetermined pivotal movement of said comb to thereby actuate said warning signal device, and an energizing and holding relay circuit operatively connected in controlling relation to said warning signal device and in responsive relation to said position-sensitive switch.

4. The improvement according to claim 3, the condition responsive device further including a time controlling device operatively connected in responsive relation to said position-sensitive switch and in controlling relation to said drive means; said time controlling means being actuated to begin the timing of a predetermined selected period of time in response to the actuation of said position-responsive switch upon said predetermined movement of said comb, and to stop said drive means upon the uninterrupted completion of said predetermined time interval, and a manual switch adapted to deenergize said warning signal device without deenergizing said time controlling means.

5. In a warp yarn handling frame having a drive means adapted to linearly progress a sheet of warp yarn ends therethrough, the improvement comprising support means, a detector comb having a plurality of teeth and being pivotally mounted on said support means, said comb being normally disposed with said teeth extending into said sheet of warp yarn ends and between said warp yarn ends, a position-sensitive switch operatively connected to a condition responsive device which is responsive to a predetermined pivotal movement of said comb to set a further new condition, the latter device including a time controlling device operatively connected in responsive relation to said position-sensitive switch and in controlling relation to said drive means; said time controlling means being actuated to begin the timing of a predetermined selected period of time in response to the actuation of said position-responsive switch upon said predetermined movement of said comb, and to stop said drive means upon the uninterrupted completion of said predetermined time interval.

6. The improvement according to claim 5, said condition responsive device further including a start switch, a holding relay circuit, a pair of contacts in series connectionv in said holding relay circuit, and means operatively connected between said start switch and said contacts and responsive to closing of said start switch to open said contacts to open said holding circuit.

7. In a warp yarn handling frame having a drive means adapted toflinearly progress a sheet of warp yarn ends therethrough, the improvement comprising support means, a. detector comb having a plurality of teeth andr being pivotally mounted on saidsupport means, said comb being normally disposed with said teeth extending into said sheet ofwarp yarn ends and between said warp yarn ends, a position-sensitive switchv operatively,y connected to a condition responsive device which is responsive toa predetermined pivotal movement of said comb to set a further new condition, and said detector comb being operatively connected to said condition responsive device4 through said switch which is angularly movable in syncln'onism with said detector comb, and a weight operatively connected to said detector comb and adapted to bias said detector comb by gravity to a selected downwardly depending position.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said weight is angularly adjustable with respect to the pivot axis of said detector comb to thereby vary the normal downwardly depending position of said detector comb.

9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said switch is angularly adjustable With respect to said detector comb.

10. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said means for varying the sensitivity of said comb comprises torque exerting means, and means for Varying the effective warp-travel-opposing torque on said comb` when said comb is in running warp-opposing position.

11. The improvement according to claim 10 wherein said torque exerting means includes a weight operatively connected to said comb, and means for varying the position of said weight on said comb.

12. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein the pivot axis of said comb is vertically adjustable to vary the eective moment arm of said comb as it engages said warp yarn ends, and thereby vary the sensitivity of said comb to the occurrence of comb-moving obstructions in said sheet of warp yarn ends.

13. For use in a warp yarn handling frame having a drive means adapted to linearly progress a sheet of -warp yarn ends therethrough, and a speed control operatively connected to said drive means, the improvement comprising a detector comb having a plurality of side-by-side teeth, means for pivotally mounting said comb about an axis disposed above and extending transversely of the linear path of movement of said sheet of warp yarn ends, said comb being normally disposed with said teeth extending removably downwardly into and for interengagement with said sheet of warp yarn ends for entry into and out of said sheet of warp yarn ends without requiring the moving of the sheet of warp yarn ends, and a positionsensitive switch adapted to be operatively connected to said comb and adapted to be connected to said speed 10 control and being responsive to a predetermined pivotal movement of said comb to thereby actuate said speed control to effect a change in speed of said drive means.

14. The improvement according to claim 13, including means for varying the sensitivity of said comb to the occurrence of comb-moving' defects in said sheet of Warp yarn ends. v

15. The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said means for varying the sensitivity of said comb comprises torque-exerting means operatively connected in torque-exerting relation to said comb, and means for varying the eiective warp-travel-opposing torque on said comb when said comb is in running warp-opposing position.

16. The improvement according to claim 15 wherein said torque-exerting means is a weight operatively connected to said comb, and means for Varying the position of said weight on said comb.

17. The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said means for varying the sensitivity of said comb includes a weight, and means for adjusting the position of said weight relative to said comb.

18. The improvement according to claim 17 wherein said weight is angularly adjustable toward and away from the effective line of said comb teeth.

19. The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said means for varying the sensitivity of said comb includes means for altering the height of said comb axis relative to said sheet of Warp yarn ends to thereby vary the effective moment arm of said comb as it engages said warp yarn ends when in running position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,364,092 Field Ian. 4, 1921 1,768,746 Cocker July 1, 1930 2,192,819 Smith Mar. 5, 1940 2,473,916 Snyder Iune 21, 1949 2,814,088 Ayars et al. Nov. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 798,361 France Mar. 10, 1936 855,017 France Feb. 5, 1940 855,454 France Feb. 12, 1940 364,116 Italy Oct. 22, 1938

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