Yarn insertion mechanism
First Claim
1. An apparatus for longitudinally inserting yarns into a reinforcement material comprised of a housing having a first end for receiving yarn and a second end for passing yarn, the first and second ends being in communication with means for maintaining yarn in a longitudinal path within the housing, means for moving yarn in the longitudinal path within the housing between an initial position and a second position corresponding to where yarn has been inserted into a reinforcement material, means for actuating the means for moving yarn between the initial position and the second position, means for constraining yarn against movement, and means for boring a longitudinal path in a reinforcement material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus for inserting yarns into a reinforcement material along their longitudinal path. The apparatus for moving yarn and for constraining yarn movement, such as yarn brakes, are each actuated at the appropriate time. The yarn is prevented from buckling by a hollow member of a diameter only slightly greater than the yarn, when the yarn is pushed on. The reinforcement material may be woven or non-woven fabrics, cellular foams, or combinations that may include fabrics, foams or air gaps. “Yarn” in this case is taken to include any textile yarn, monofilament, coated yarns, and the like.
48 Citations
36 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for longitudinally inserting yarns into a reinforcement material comprised of a housing having a first end for receiving yarn and a second end for passing yarn, the first and second ends being in communication with means for maintaining yarn in a longitudinal path within the housing, means for moving yarn in the longitudinal path within the housing between an initial position and a second position corresponding to where yarn has been inserted into a reinforcement material, means for actuating the means for moving yarn between the initial position and the second position, means for constraining yarn against movement, and means for boring a longitudinal path in a reinforcement material.
-
36. An apparatus for longitudinally inserting yarns in a reinforcement material comprising a housing having an upper end and a lower end, openings at the upper and lower ends, sealing members dividing the interior of the housing into first, second and third sealed zones, each of said zones being provided with means for receiving a pressurized fluid, first and second telescopically arranged hollow members mounted longitudinally in the housing, in communication with the openings at the upper and lower ends, wherein the first member is mounted in place in the housing and the second member is movable longitudinally, said first and second hollow members having an inside diameter slightly greater than the diameter of a yarn, said second hollow member being movable between an initial position and a second position corresponding to the insertion of yarn in a reinforcement material, wherein the first hollow member has an aperture located within the first sealed zone and a pneumatically-actuated yarn brake arrangement positioned within the aperture, the yarn brake arrangement comprised of a rubber bladder and a spring encasing a brake pad positioned within the aperture, wherein the second sealed zone contains the telescoping portion of the first and second members and the second hollow member is provided with an aperture having a pneumatically-actuated yarn brake arrangement positioned within the aperture, the yarn brake arrangement comprised of a rubber bladder and a spring encasing a brake pad positioned within the aperture, and wherein the lower seal of the second zone is a piston fitted against the interior of the housing, and a needle having an opening affixed to the lower end of the second member, said second member and needle being movable away from the lower end of the housing.
Specification