Apparatus for measuring and adjusting the length of a continuously delivered weft thread

Claim 1

In an apparatus for metering lengths of weft thread for periodic insertion of the thread into a warp shed along a first axis, a drum shaft supported for rotation about the first axis, a drive shaft supported for rotation about a second axis, a rotatable metering drum secured to the drum shaft for rotation therewith and having a periphery around which successive lengths of weft thread may be wound, the periphery including a cylindrical rear section and a frusto-conical front section, means for continuously advancing weft thread to the front section of the measuring drum periphery, clamping means disposed coaxial with and forwardly of the drum and supported for reciprocal movement along the first axis toward and away from the drum, the clamping means having a first surface frictionally engageable with the frusto-conical front section of the drum periphery to secure an intervening portion of the weft thread against the drum periphery when the clamping means is in a rear position, means coupled to the drive shaft for cyclically reciprocating the clamping means between the rear clamping position and a front release position, PIV transmission means coupled between the drum and drive shafts for rotating the drum shaft about the first axis at a speed proportional to the speed of the drive shaft when the drive shaft is rotated about the second axis, means operable when the drum is rotated and when the clamping means is in its rear position for winding a length of the then-clamped weft thread around the drum periphery to be inserted into the warp shed when the clamping means is moved to its front release position, and means for adjusting the speed ratio of the PIV transmission means to a selectable value within an analog continuum of values to correspondingly adjust the length of the weft thread wound on the drum periphery by the winding means.