BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a weft insertion apparatus and a rapier band for
a rapier loom.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] A weft insertion apparatus for a rapier loom includes a rapier band holding a rapier
head and a rapier wheel around which the rapier band is wrapped. In order to drive
a rigid but flexible band such as a rapier band, a wheel that allows such a band to
be wrapped therearound is used. The rapier wheel is rotated forward and backward,
so that the rapier head held by the rapier band is advanced into and retracted from
a warp shedding to allow a weft thread to be inserted into the warp shedding.
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-296150 discloses a weft insertion apparatus
having a mechanism that engages power transmitting teeth formed side by side around
the circumference of the rapier wheel with power receiving holes formed side by side
in the rapier band. In such a apparatus, the rapier band must be wrapped partially
around the circumference of the rapier wheel. However, if a rapier band having no
power receiving holes is wrapped around the rapier wheel, the rapier band must be
wrapped around the entire circumference of the rapier wheel. Further, even if the
rapier band is wrapped around the entire circumference of the rapier wheel, the diameter
of the rapier wheel becomes considerably larger than that of the rapier wheel around
which the rapier band having power receiving holes is wrapped. When the diameter of
the rapier wheel increases, its inertial moment also increases and this prevents high-speed
operation of the loom. Therefore, a rapier band having power receiving holes is advantageous
for increasing the speed of the loom.
[0004] When the rapier band is curved, the rapier band does not expand or contract in the
middle as viewed thicknesswise, but expands and contracts at its curved surfaces (i.e.,
its obverse and reverse sides). That is, the curved surface toward the inside of the
curved rapier band contracts, and the curved surface toward the outside of the curved
rapier band expands. With respect to the longitudinal direction of the rapier band
having power receiving holes, the bending rigidity differs between the range in which
holes are present and the range in which holes are absent. As a result, the rapier
band curves exclusively in the range in which holes are present. In such a curved
state, stress concentrates along borders between the range in which holes are present
and the range in which holes are absent on both obverse and reverse sides of the rapier
band, and especially at corner portions of the holes. As a result, cracks are liable
to appear in the rapier band.
[0005] A rapier band disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 8-296150 is
such that the entire band is made up of laminated woven fabrics. The woven fabrics
are effective in preventing the occurrence of the cracks.
[0006] Both the obverse and reverse sides of the rapier band slidingly contact a band guide
that regulates the travelling path of the rapier band (exemplary band guides include
a fixing guide disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 9-324342, and
spaced teeth disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 5-209341). Abrasion
of the rapier band caused by such sliding contact shortens the life of the band. Japanese
Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 62-114079 discloses a rapier band having a
polytetrafluoroethylene coating on its surfaces. The polytetrafluoroethylene coating
reduces the frictional resistance of the rapier band during sliding contact with the
band guide. However, polytetrafluoroethylene has a shortcoming in that it abrades
quickly, and thus is not a suitable material for preventing abrasion of the surfaces
of the rapier band.
[0007] Further, EP 0 939 155, which constitutes prior art under Article 53(3) EPC, describes
a highly abrasion-resistant rapier band which has a laminated structure including
a core member and a pair of woven fabrics. Either warp threads or weft threads of
said woven fabric are arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of said
rapier bands. A total exposed length of the threads extending along the longitudinal
direction of said rapier band is larger than that of the threads extending across
the width direction of said rapier ban on the obverse side of said woven fabric, and
at least one of the threads extending along the longitudinal direction of said rapier
ban leaps over at least two threads extending across the width direction of said rapier
band.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a highly abrasion-resistant
rapier band having a high bending rigidity across the width direction thereof even
after abrasion, and a long life in order to overcome the aforementioned problems.
[0009] To achieve the above object, a major aspect of the present invention is directed
to a rapier loom having a weft insertion apparatus that inserts a weft thread into
a warp shedding by first inserting a rapier head held by a rapier band into the warp
shedding and then retracting the rapier head from the warp shedding. For such a rapier
loom, the present invention provides a weft insertion apparatus in which the rapier
band is formed by laminating woven fabrics for preventing abrasion on both obverse
and reverse sides of a core member; either warp threads or weft threads of each woven
fabric for preventing abrasion are arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction
of the rapier band; a total exposed length of the threads extending along the longitudinal
direction of the rapier band is larger than that of the threads extending across the
width direction of the rapier band on the obverse side of each woven fabric; and at
least one of the threads extending along the longitudinal direction of the rapier
band leaps over at least two threads extending across the width direction of the rapier
band; and a reinforcing compensation layer made of fibers for compensating for bending
rigidity across the width direction of the rapier band lies beneath each of said woven
fabric for preventing abrasion, the surface of the reinforcing compensation layer
being away from the center of the thickness of the rapier band, the reinforcing compensation
layer having a larger number of fibers in the width direction of the rapier band than
fibers in the longitudinal direction of the rapier band.
[0010] Even if the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion are abraded to cut off the weft
threads extending across the width direction of the rapier band, the bending rigidity
across the width direction of the rapier band can be compensated for due to fibers
across the width direction of rapier band in the reinforcing compensation layer. This
allows the life of the rapier band to be extended.
[0011] Preferably, the reinforcing compensation layer is a portion of woven fabrics for
reinforcing compensation, such that on any of a plurality of predetermined area sections
defining one surface of the woven fabric for reinforcing compensation, a total exposed
length of the threads extending along the longitudinal direction of the rapier band
which is exposed at the predetermined area section is larger than that of the threads
extending across the width direction of the rapier band which is exposed at the predetermined
area section; and at least one of the threads extending along the longitudinal direction
on the predetermined area sections leaps over at least two threads extending across
the width direction on this surface, the other surface of the woven fabric for reinforcing
compensation is arranged to correspond to the side of the woven fabric for preventing
abrasion as the reinforcing compensation layer.
[0012] A larger number of threads extending across the width direction of the rapier band
than the threads extending across the longitudinal direction of the rapier band are
exposed on the abode other surface of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation.
This surface on which a larger number of threads extending across the width direction
of the rapier band than the threads extending across the longitudinal direction of
the rapier band are exposed becomes the reinforcing compensation layer side. The resulting
woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation are suitable to form a reinforcing compensation
layer thereon.
[0013] Further, the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation are preferably made of satin
weave. Satin weave is the optimum woven fabric for reinforcing compensation.
[0014] Still further, the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion are preferably laminated
on both the obverse and reverse sides of the core member. This is because the bending
rigidity across the longitudinal direction of the rapier band can be preserved by
the core member.
[0015] Still further, the reinforcing compensation layer may be interposed between the core
member and the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion. This is because the arrangement
between the core member and the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion is the optimum
position where the reinforcing compensation layer is located.
[0016] Still further, it is desirable that the core member be a three-dimensional fabric
because three-dimensional fabrics are suitable for core members.
[0017] Yet further, it is preferred that the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion be made
of carbon fiber because carbon fiber is a suitable abrasion-resistant material.
[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rapier
band for a rapier loom having a weft insertion apparatus that inserts a weft thread
into a warp shedding by first inserting a rapier head held by the rapier band into
the warp shedding and then retracting the rapier head from the warp shedding. The
rapier band includes a core member, and woven fabrics for preventing abrasion laminated
on both obverse and reverse sides of the core member. In such a rapier band, either
warp threads or weft threads of each woven fabric for preventing abrasion are arranged
to extend along the longitudinal direction of the rapier band; a total exposed length
of the threads extending along the longitudinal direction of the rapier band is larger
than that of the threads extending across the width direction of the rapier band on
the obverse side of each woven fabric for preventing abrasion; and at least one of
the threads extending along the longitudinal direction of the rapier band leaps over
at least two threads extending across the width direction of the rapier band; and
a reinforcing compensation layer made of fibers for compensating for the bending rigidity
across the width direction of the rapier band lies beneath each of the woven fabrics
for preventing abrasion, the surface of the reinforcing compensation layer being away
from the center of the thickness of the rapier band, the reinforcing compensation
layer having a larger number of fibers in the width direction of the rapier band than
fibers in the longitudinal direction of the rapier band.
[0019] The rapier band of the above structure has excellent abrasion resistance and high
bending rigidity across the width direction thereof after abrasion, and thus its life
can be extended.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a weft insertion apparatus for a rapier loom
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of an essential portion showing
the relationship between a rapier wheel and a rapier band;
Fig. 3 (a) is an enlarged plan view of an obverse side of a woven fabric for preventing
abrasion; and Fig. 3 (b) is an enlarged plan view of a reverse side of the woven fabric
for preventing abrasion;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an essential portion showing a structure
of the rapier band;
Fig. 5 is an exploded sectional view of an essential portion showing a structure of
the rapier band; and
Fig. 6 is an exploded sectional view of an essential portion showing a rapier band
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Embodiments of the present invention currently considered preferable will be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0022] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference
to Figs. 1 to 4.
[0023] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a weft insertion apparatus for a rapier loom
according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 11 in
Fig. 1 denotes a weft feeding rapier head that is inserted into a warp shedding (not
shown) from a weft insertion start end. The weft feeding rapier head 11 is held at
an end of a rapier band 12. The rapier band 12 is wrapped around a rapier wheel 13
that rotates forward and backward about a pivot 131. At a weft insertion tail end,
a rapier band 14 is also wrapped around a rapier wheel (not shown) that rotates forward
and backward. A weft receiving rapier head 15 is held at the front end of the rapier
band 14. As a result of the forward and backward rotation of both rapier wheels, the
weft feeding rapier head 11 and the receiving rapier head 15 are inserted into the
warp shedding, allowing the feeding and receiving rapier heads 11 and 15 to meet each
other at the center of the weaving width. Whereupon, the weft thread inserted into
the warp shedding by the feeding rapier head 11 is delivered to the receiving rapier
head 15. Then, also as a result of the forward and backward rotation of both rapier
wheels, the feeding rapier head 11 and the receiving rapier head 15 are retracted
from the warp shedding, allowing the weft thread to be drawn through the warp shedding.
[0024] Trapezoidal power transmitting teeth 16 are arranged side by side over the circumference
of the rapier wheel 13 around which the rapier band 12 is wrapped. On the other hand,
rectangular power receiving holes 17 are formed side by side in the rapier band 12.
The power transmitting teeth 16 engage with the power receiving holes 17 within the
range in which the rapier band 12 is wrapped around the rapier wheel 13. As a result,
the forward and backward rotation of the rapier wheel 13 is transmitted to the rapier
band 12 through the power transmitting teeth 16 and the power receiving holes 17.
A band guide (not shown) regulates the travelling path of the rapier band 12.
[0025] Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of an essential portion showing
the relationship between the rapier wheel and the rapier band. As shown in Fig. 2,
the rapier band 12 is, as disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-open
No. 2-259248, of a laminated structure including a core member 28, a pair of woven
fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20, and a pair of woven fabrics for reinforcing
compensation 29 and 30. The core member 28 is a three-dimensional fabric made by a
three-dimensional braider. The woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30
are interposed between the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20. The core
member 28 is interposed between the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29
and 30. On the other hand, the surfaces of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion
19 and 20 constitute curved surfaces 121 and 122 of the rapier band 12. The fibers
of the core member 28 are such that the component thereof extending in the longitudinal
direction of the rapier band 12 is larger than the component extending across the
width direction of the rapier band 12. The woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation
29 and 30 are made of the same material as that of the woven fabrics for preventing
abrasion 19 and 20. Further, the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and
30 have the same textural structure as that of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion
19 and 20. The structure of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 will
be described in detail with reference to Figs. 3 (a) and (b).
[0026] Fig. 3 (a) is an enlarged plan view of an obverse side of the woven fabric for preventing
abrasion according to the first embodiment and Fig. 3 (b) is an enlarged plan view
of a reverse side of the same woven fabric for preventing abrasion. As shown in these
drawings, the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 are of a satin weave
consisting of warp threads T and weft threads Y. In Figs. 3 (a) and (b), the weft
threads Y are shown by hatching. "Satin weave" means a texture in which four or more
warp threads T leap over the weft threads Y or the weft threads Y over the warp threads
T and the points of intersection between the warp threads T and the weft threads Y
are staggered at regular intervals. The warp threads T of the woven fabrics for preventing
abrasion 19 and 20 extend along the longitudinal direction of the rapier band 12,
and weft threads Y extend across the width direction of the rapier band 12. Fig. 3
(a) shows the obverse sides of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20,
and Fig. 3 (b) shows reverse sides of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19
and 20. The reverse side of each of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and
20 is adhered to the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30. On the
other hand, the obverse side of each of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion
19 and 20 slidingly contact with the band guide (not shown). As shown in Fig. 3 (a),
the warp threads T are exposed at the obverse side of each of the woven fabrics for
preventing abrasion 19 and 20 while leaping over seven continuous weft threads Y.
As shown in Fig. 3 (b), the weft threads Y are exposed at the reverse side of each
of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 while leaping over seven continuous
warp threads Y. The warp threads T and the weft threads Y are the same kind of thread,
and have the same diameter. Further, as shown in Figs. 3 (a) and (b), the warp threads
T and the weft threads Y have the same pitch P.
[0027] Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the structure of the woven fabrics for reinforcing
compensation 29 and 30 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 (a) and (b). As
described above, the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 have the
same issue structure as that of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20,
that is, the satin weave. More specifically, the pitch of the warp threads T1 of the
woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 and the pitch of the weft threads
Y1 of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 is the same, and the
diameter of the warp threads T1 thereof and the diameter of the weft threads Y1 thereof
is the same. The weft threads Y1 of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation
29 and 30 extend along the width direction of the rapier bands 12 and 14, and the
warp threads T1 of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 extend
along the longitudinal direction of the rapier bands 12 and 14. Further, the warp
threads T1 of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 leap over seven
continuous weft threads Y1 of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and
30, to thereby be exposed at one surface 291 and 301, respectively, of the woven fabrics
for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30. The weft threads Y1 of the woven fabrics for
reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 leap over seven continuous warp threads T1 of the
woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30, to thereby be exposed at the
other surface 292 and 302, respectively, of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation
29 and 30. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the core member 28 of rapier band 12 can be
composed of a plurality of fabrics of plain weave 25, 26 and 27 (three fabrics in
the present embodiment).
[0028] The fiber of the core member 28, warp threads T and weft threads Y is carbon fiber.
The core member 28, the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20, and the woven
fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 contain thermosetting resins such as
epoxy resins and bismaleimide resins. The rapier band 14 is also a laminated structure
similar to the rapier band 12.
[0029] The woven fabric for reinforcing compensation 29 interposed between the core member
28 and the woven fabric for preventing abrasion 19 is arranged in opposite relation
in textural structure to the woven fabric for preventing abrasion 19. That is, the
reverse side of the woven fabric for preventing abrasion 19 is opposed to the other
surface 292 of the woven fabric for reinforcing compensation 29 while the reverse
side of the woven fabric for preventing abrasion 20 is opposed to the other surface
302 of the woven fabric for reinforcing compensation 30.
[0030] As shown in Fig. 5, a thickness t of each of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation
29 and 30 includes a layer t1, which is half that thickness, at the side of each of
the other surfaces 292 and 302, substantially seven eighths of which is occupied with
the weft threads Y1. As a result, the layer t1 functions as a reinforcing compensation
layer having a larger number of fibers in the width direction of the rapier band 12
than fibers in the longitudinal direction of the rapier band 12. The pair of the woven
fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 includes the reinforcing compensation layer
t1 beneath each of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20, with the surface
of the reinforcing compensation layer t1 away from the center S1 of the thickness
S of the rapier band 12 (or 14). As used herein, "beneath the woven fabric for preventing
abrasion 19" indicates the core member 28 side as viewed from the position of the
woven fabric for preventing abrasion 19, and "the beneath the woven fabric for preventing
abrasion 20" indicates the core member 28 side as viewed from the position of the
woven fabric for preventing abrasion 20.
[0031] Embodiment 1 provides the following advantages:
(1-1) The weft threads Y of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 which
extend along the width direction of the rapier band 12 (or 14) contribute to improved
bending rigidity across the width direction of the rapier band 12 (or 14). In particular,
the weft threads Y are closer to the curved surface of the rapier band 12 (or 14),
leading to an increase in bending rigidity. However, as the surfaces of the woven
fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 are being abraded, the weft threads Y of
the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 are broken. In this case, if the
rapier band 12 (or 14) has a laminated structure including only the core member 28
and the pair of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20, the bending rigidity
across the width direction of the rapier band 12 (or 14) will be reduced due to breakage
of the weft threads Y. In other words, the reduced bending rigidity across the width
direction of the rapier band 12 (or 14) contributes to determining the life of the
rapier band 12 (or 14).
However, according to the present embodiment, even if the surfaces of the woven fabrics
for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 are being abraded to break the weft threads Y of
the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20, the weft threads Y1 of the woven
fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 will compensate for the bending rigidity
across the width direction of the rapier bands 12 and 14. Hence, the bending rigidity
across the width direction of the rapier band 12 (or 14) can be preserved, thereby
extending the life of the rapier band 12 (or 14).
(1-2) The fibers in the width direction of the rapier band 12 (or 14) are closer to
the curved surface of the rapier band 12 (or 14), leading to an increase of the bending
rigidity. With the structure in which the reinforcing compensation layer t1 occupying
half of the thickness t of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30
is opposed to the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20, the reinforcing
compensation layer t1 may be as close as possible to the curved surface of the rapier
band 12 (or 14). Therefore, the structure in which the other surface 292 and 302 sides
of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 which function as the
reinforcing compensation layer t1 are arranged to correspond to the sides of the woven
fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 allows the weft threads Y1 to effectively
increase the bending rigidity across the width direction of the rapier band 12 (or
14).
(1-3) The satin fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 according to the first
embodiment are such that the pitch of the weft threads Y1 is the same as that of the
warp threads T1, and that the density of the warp threads T1 is the same as that of
the weft threads Y1. Such a density arrangement of the weft threads Y1 is effective
in improving the bending rigidity across the width direction of the rapier band 12
(or 14). In addition, the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation 29 and 30 made
of satin weave, which have a smaller degree of intermingle of the weft threads Y1
than fabrics of plain weave, have an increased bending rigidity across the width direction
of the rapier band 12 (or 14). Further, the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation
29 and 30 made of satin weave, which have a smaller degree of intermingle of the warp
threads T1 than fabrics of plain weave, have an increased rigidity along the longitudinal
direction of the rapier band 12 (or 14), thereby improving the longitudinal rigidity
of the rapier band 12 (or 14) as a whole. Hence, the woven fabrics for reinforcing
compensation 29 and 30 made of satin weave are the best fabrics for forming the reinforcing
compensation layer t1.
(1-4) Arrangement of the reinforcing compensation layer t1 between the core member
28 and the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion 19 and 20 is the optimal position
because the reinforcing compensation layer t1 can be as close as possible to the curved
surface of the rapier band 12 (or 14).
(1-5) A shearing force produced within the rapier band 12 (or 14) due to repetitive
bending is maximum at substantially the center of the cross section of the rapier
bands. However, the three-dimensional fabric core member 28 is not subjected to delamination
as in the conventional laminated rapier band. Therefore, the core member 18 of the
invention is the best material for a core member of a rapier band.
Embodiment 2
[0032] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference
to Fig. 6. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by
the same reference numerals.
[0033] A woven fabric for reinforcing compensation 31 according to the second embodiment
is arranged with the same relationship of textural structure as the woven fabric for
preventing abrasion 19. For this reason, a reinforcing compensation layer t2 corresponding
to the reinforcing compensation layer t1 according to the first embodiment is positioned
opposite to the core member 28. A woven fabric for reinforcing compensation 32 is
also arranged with the same relationship of textural structure as the woven fabric
for preventing abrasion 20, and the reinforcing compensation layer t2 is thus positioned
opposite to the core member 28.
[0034] The reinforcing compensation layer t2 according to the second embodiment is farther
from the curved surface of the rapier band 12 (or 14) than the reinforcing compensation
layer t1 according to the first embodiment. However, the reinforcing compensation
layer t2 has a sufficient compensating effect for the bending rigidity across the
width direction of the rapier band 12 (or 14).
[0035] The present invention may also be embodied in the following modes.
(1) The weft threads are arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of the
rapier band of a satin fabric used as a woven fabric for preventing abrasion or a
woven fabric for reinforcing compensation.
(2) Instead of fabrics of satin weave and twill weave, a fabric may be used as a woven
fabric for preventing abrasion or a woven fabric for reinforcing compensation in which
the total length of threads extending along the longitudinal direction of the rapier
band and exposed in a predetermined area portion at the obverse side thereof is larger
than the total length of threads extending across the width direction of the rapier
band, and at least one of the threads extending along the longitudinal direction of
the rapier band in the predetermined area portion leaps over at least two threads
extending across the width direction of the rapier band.
(3) The pitch of the warp threads of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion is
made smaller than that of the weft threads.
(4) The diameter of the warp threads of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion
is made larger than that of the weft threads.
(5) The pitch of the weft threads of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation
is made smaller than that of the warp threads.
(6) The diameter of the weft threads of the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation
is made larger than that of the warp threads.
(7) The reinforcing compensation layer is formed of fiber layers extending only along
the width direction of the rapier band.
(8) Aramid fibers or glass fibers may be used as materials of the woven fabrics for
preventing abrasion or the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation.
(9) The material of the warp threads of the woven fabrics for preventing abrasion
or the woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation and that of the weft threads are
different.
(10) The rapier band is laminated so that a single woven fabric for preventing abrasion
is folded to interpose the core member between its folded portions.
(11) The rapier band is laminated so that a single woven fabric for reinforcing compensation
is folded to interpose the core member between its folded portions.
(12) The present invention is applied to a rapier band having no power receiving holes.
[0036] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention and other embodiments that
may replace such preferred embodiments have been described in detail with reference
to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
1. A rapier band for a rapier loom having a weft insertion apparatus that inserts a weft
thread into a warp shedding by first inserting a rapier head (11) held by said rapier
band (12) into the warp shedding and then retracting the rapier head (11) from the
warp shedding, comprising:
a core member (28); and
woven fabrics for preventing abrasion (19, 20) being laminated on both obverse and
reverse sides of said core member (28); wherein:
either warp threads (T) or weft threads (Y) of said woven fabrics for preventing abrasion
(19, 20) are arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of said rapier band
(12); a total exposed length of said threads extending along the longitudinal direction
of said rapier band (12) is larger than that of the threads extending across the width
direction of said rapier band on the obverse side of said woven fabrics for preventing
abrasion (19, 20); and at least one of said threads (T) extending along the longitudinal
direction of said rapier band leaps over at least two threads (Y) extending across
said width direction of said rapier band on said obverse side; and
a reinforcing compensation layer (t1) made of fibers for compensating for bending
rigidity across the width direction of said rapier band (12) lies beneath of each
of said woven fabrics for preventing abrasion (19, 20), the surface of said reinforcing
compensation layer (t1) being away from the center (S1) of the thickness (S) of the
rapier band (12), said reinforcing compensation layer (t1) having a larger number
of fibers (Y1) in the width direction of said rapier band (12) than fibers (T1) in
the longitudinal direction of said rapier band (12).
2. A rapier band according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcing compensation layer (t1)
is apportion of woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation (29, 30), such that on
any of a plurality of predetermined area section defining one surface of said woven
fabrics for reinforcing compensation (29, 30), a total exposed length of said threads
extending along the longitudinal direction (T1) of said rapier band (12) which is
exposed at said predetermined are section is larger than that of the threads extending
across the width direction (Y1) of said rapier band (12) which is exposed at predetermined
are section; and at least one of said threads extending along the longitudinal direction
on said predetermined are sections leaps over at least two threads extending across
said width direction on said one surface, the other surface of said woven fabrics
for reinforcing compensation (29, 30) being arranged to correspond to the side of
said woven fabrics for preventing abrasion (19, 20) as said reinforcing compensation
layer (t1).
3. A rapier band according to claim 2, wherein said woven fabrics for reinforcing compensation
(29, 30) are made of satin weave.
4. A rapier band according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said woven fabrics for
preventing abrasion (19, 20) are laminated on both the obverse and reverse sides of
said core member (28)
5. A rapier band according to claim 4, wherein said reinforcing compensation layer (t1)
is interposed between said core member (28) and said woven fabrics for preventing
abrasion (19, 20).
6. A rapier band according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said core member (28) is a three-dimensional
fabric.
7. A rapier band according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said woven fabrics for
preventing abrasion (19, 20) are made of carbon fiber.
1. Greiferband für eine Greiferwebmaschine mit einer Einschussvorrichtung, die zuerst
durch Einführen eines Greiferkopfes (11), der durch das Greiferband (12) gehalten
ist, in ein Webfach und dann durch Zurückfahren des Greiferkopfes (11) von dem Webfach
einen Schussfaden in ein Webfach schießt, umfassend:
ein Kernelement (28); und
Gewebe zum Verhindern eines Abriebs (19, 20), die sowohl auf die Vorder- als auch
die Rückseite des Kernelements (28) laminiert sind; wobei:
entweder Kettfäden (T) oder Schussfäden (Y) der Gewebe zum Verhindern eines Abriebs
(19, 20) derart angeordnet sind, dass sie sich entlang der Längsrichtung des Greiferbandes
(12) erstrecken; eine freiliegende Gesamtlänge der Fäden, die sich entlang der Längsrichtung
des Greiferbandes (12) erstrecken, größer ist als die der Fäden, die sich quer in
der Breitenrichtung des Greiferbandes auf der Vorderseite der Gewebe zum Verhindern
eines Abriebs (19, 20) erstrecken; und wenigstens einer der Fäden (T), die sich entlang
der Längsrichtung des Greiferbandes erstrecken, wenigstens zwei Fäden (Y), die sich
quer in der Breitenrichtung des Greiferbandes auf der Vorderseite erstrecken, überlappt;
und
eine Verstärkungskompensationsschicht (t1), die zur Kompensation und zur Biegesteifigkeit
quer, in der Breitenrichtung des Greiferbandes (12) aus Fasern gemacht ist, liegt
unterhalb jedes Gewebes zum Verhindern eines Abriebs (19, 20), wobei die Oberfläche
der Verstärkungskompensationsschicht (t1) von der Mitte (S1) des Dickenmaßes (S) des
Greiferbandes (12) entfernt liegt und die Verstärkungskompensationsschicht (t1) eine
größere Anzahl an Fasern (Y1) in der Breitenrichtung des Greiferbandes (12) als Fasern
(T1) in der Längsrichtung des Greiferbandes (12) aufweist.
2. Greiferband nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Verstärkungskompensationsschicht (t1) die
Aufteilung von Geweben zur Verstärkungskompensation (29, 30) ist, so dass auf einem
beliebigen aus mehreren vorbestimmten Flächenbereichen, die eine Oberfläche der Gewebe
zur Verstärkungskompensation (29, 30) definieren, eine freiliegende Gesamtlänge der
Fäden, die sich entlang der Längsrichtung (T1) des Greiferbandes (12) erstrecken,
die in dem vorbestimmten Flächenbereich frei liegen, größer ist als die der Fäden,
die sich quer in der Breitenrichtung (Y1) des Greiferbandes (12) erstrecken, die in
dem vorbestimmten Flächenbereich frei liegen; und bei dem wenigstens einer der Fäden,
die sich entlang der Längsrichtung auf dem vorbestimmten Flächenbereich erstrecken,
wenigstens zwei Fäden, die sich quer in der Breitenrichtung auf der einen Oberfläche
erstrecken, überlappt und die andere Oberfläche der Gewebe zur Verstärkungskompensation
(29, 30) derart angeordnet ist, dass sie der Seite der Gewebe zur Verhinderung eines
Abriebs (19, 20) als die Verstärkungskompensationsschicht (t1) entspricht.
3. Greiferband nach Anspruch 2, bei dem die Gewebe zur Verstärkungskompensation (29,
30) aus einem Baumwollsatingewebe gemacht sind.
4. Greiferband nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, bei dem die Gewebe zum Verhindern eines
Abriebs (19, 20) auf sowohl die Vorder- als auch die Rückseite des Kernelements (28)
laminiert sind.
5. Greiferband nach Anspruch 4, bei dem die Verstärkungskompensationsschicht (t1) zwischen
dem Kernelement (28) und den Geweben zum Verhindern eines Abriebs (19, 20) angeordnet
ist.
6. Greiferband nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, bei dem das Kernelement (28) ein dreidimensionales
Tuch ist.
7. Greiferband nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei dem die Gewebe zum Verhindern eines
Abriebs (19, 20) aus Karbonfasern gemacht sind.
1. Bande de lances pour un métier à tisser du type à lances possédant un appareil d'insertion
de trame qui insère un fil de trame dans la formation de la foule de chaîne en insérant
d'abord une tête de lance (11) maintenu par ladite bande de lances (12) dans la formation
de la foule de chaîne et en retirant ensuite la tête de lance (11) de la formation
de la foule de chaîne, comprenant :
un élément central (28) ; et
un tissu destiné à empêcher l'abrasion (19, 20) étant contrecollé à la fois sur le
côté endroit et sur le côté envers dudit élément central (28) ; dans laquelle :
soit des fils de chaîne (T), soit des fils de trame (Y) dudit tissu destiné à empêcher
l'abrasion (19, 20) sont arrangés de telle sorte qu'ils s'étendent dans la direction
longitudinale de ladite bande de lances (12) ; la longueur exposée totale desdits
fils s'étendant dans la direction longitudinale de ladite bande de lances (12) est
supérieure à celle des fils s'étendant transversalement sur la largeur de ladite bande
de lances du côté endroit dudit tissu destiné à empêcher l'abrasion (19, 20) ; et
au moins un des fils (T) s'étendant dans la direction longitudinale de ladite bande
de lances chevauche au moins deux fils (Y) s'étendant en direction transversale dans
ladite direction de la largeur de ladite bande de lances sur ledit côté endroit ;
et
une couche de renforcement de compensation (t1) constituée par des fibres pour compenser
la rigidité à la flexion dans la direction de la largeur de ladite bande de lances
(12) est disposée en dessous de chacun desdits tissus destinés à empêcher l'abrasion
(19, 20), la surface de ladite couche de renforcement de compensation (t1) s'écartant
du centre (S1) de l'épaisseur (S) de la bande de lances (12), ladite couche de renforcement
de compensation (t1) possédant un nombre de fibres (Y1) s'étendant dans la direction
de la largeur de ladite bande de lances (12) supérieur au nombre de fibres (T1) s'étendant
dans la direction longitudinale de ladite bande de lances (12).
2. Bande de lances selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ladite couche de renforcement
de compensation (t1) représente une portion du tissu de renforcement de compensation
(29, 30) de telle sorte que, sur l'une quelconque de plusieurs sections de superficies
prédéterminées définissant une surface dudit tissu destiné à renforcer la compensation
(29, 30), la longueur exposée totale desdits fils s'étendant dans la direction longitudinale
(T1) de ladite bande de lances (12) qui est exposée à ladite section de superficie
prédéterminée est supérieure à celle des fils s'étendant en direction transversale
(Y1) sur la largeur de ladite bande de lances (12) qui est exposée à ladite section
de superficie prédéterminée ; et au moins un desdits fils s'étendant dans la direction
longitudinale sur lesdites sections de superficies prédéterminées chevauche au moins
deux fils s'étendant en direction transversale sur la largeur de ladite première surface,
l'autre surface dudit tissu destinée à renforcer la compensation (29, 30) étant arrangée
pour correspondre au côté dudit tissu destiné à empêcher l'abrasion (19, 20) correspondant
à ladite couche de renforcement de la compensation (t1).
3. Bande de lances selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle lesdits tissus de renforcement
de compensation (29, 30) sont constitués d'une armure satin.
4. Bande de lances selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle lesdits
tissus destinés à empêcher l'abrasion (19, 20) sont contrecollés à la fois sur le
côté endroit et sur le côté envers dudit élément central (28).
5. Bande de lances selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle ladite couche de renforcement
de compensation (t1) est intercalée entre ledit élément central (28) et lesdits tissus
destinés à empêcher l'abrasion (19, 20).
6. Bande de lances selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans laquelle ledit élément central
(28) est un tissu en trois dimensions.
7. Bande de lances selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle lesdits
tissus destinés à empêcher l'abrasion (19, 20) sont réalisés en fibres de carbone.