Electronic driven jacquard apparatus and cassette for use therein

Abstract

 An electronic driven jacquard apparatus includes a cassette (C) having a select head (8) pivotally selectable between a contacting posture contacting a select pin and a non-contacting posture not contacting the select pin (N) in association with a bending movement of an operational member (9) comprised of a piezoelectric body and a retaining pin (12) providing a pivot for the select head, a jacquard machine body for fixedly supporting the cassette (C) and a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the jacquard machine body along a longitudinal direction of the select pin. An end (N³) of the select pin (N) facing the select head (8) has a cubically convex shape whereas an end of the select head facing the select pin has a corresponding concave portion for receiving therein the cubically convex end of the select pin (N).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic driven jacquard apparatus and a cassette for use therein.

[0002] A jacquard apparatus is used for controlling positions of a plurality of threads set on a machine body. More particularly, the apparatus determines a position of a select pin for handling each single thread or a group of threads. The select pin mounted on the machine body is urged along the length thereof in a direction to/away from the jacquard apparatus.

[0003] On the other hand, for the jacquard machine body, there is provided a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating this jacquard machine body along the longitudinal direction of the select pin. Under a non-contacting condition where the select pin is free from contact with a select head, the relative positional relationship between the jacquard machine body and the select pin in the longitudinal direction is changed. When the jacquard machine body and the select pin are at their home positions relative to each other, the select head can contact the select pin. And, under this contacting condition, the select pin is moved against the urging force in association with a movement of the jacquard machine body and fixed in position.

[0004] That is, under the non-contacting condition of the select pin not contacting the select head, the select pin is maintained at its home position. Under the contacting condition, in association with a movement of the jacquard machine body, only the select pin under its contacting condition is moved therewith.

[0005] As a result, according to a posture of the select head, the position of the select pin can be controlled.

[0006] As such jacquard apparatus, an apparatus, so-called electronic driven jacquard machine, has been in use recently. With this electronic driven jacquard machine, the change of the posture of the select head is effected, in accordance with a bending movement of a piezoelectric body. With selection of the select pin, using electronic information for thread positioning, it is possible to obtain a jacquard machine for general use.

[0007] The electronic driven jacquard machine employs a so-called cassette type construction. More particularly, in order to selectively operate a fixed number of select pins (e.g. seven pins), the machine includes a plurality of units of cassettes, each unit including a corresponding number (e.g. seven) of select heads for operating the pins. Therefore, the machine needs to include cassettes corresponding in number to a value obtained by dividing the number of select pins to be positioned with the number of select head included in the cassettes.

[0008] Each cassette includes a fixed number of select heads, each select head being selectively pivotable between a contacting posture contacting the select pin and a non-contacting posture not contacting the select pin, in association with a bending movement of an operational member comprised of a piezoelectric body. The cassette further includes a retaining pin which provides or forms a pivot for the select head. And, a leading end portion of this select head acts as a contacting portion to come into contact with the select pin, whereas a base end portion of the select head forms an operational member disposing portion where the operational member is to be disposed, and further beyond this, there is provided an electronic controlling portion for controlling bending movements of these operational members.

[0009] From the base end side of the cassette, there are provided an electronic controlling section having an electronic component circuit board for controlling binding movements of the operational members, an operational member disposing portion disposed upwardly thereof where a fixed number of operational members comprised of piezoelectric bodies are disposed to be bendable, a head disposing portion disposed upwardly thereof where a fixed number of select heads are disposed, and a select pin entering portions disposed upwardly thereof (adjacent the leading (top) end of the cassette) which the select pins enter. In the select pin entering portion, there are provided partitioning walls for partitioning entrance passages of the respective select pins from each other.

[Disclosure of Claimed Subject Matters]

[0010] Fig. 13 shows details of vicinity of a head disposing portion 7b presently preferred by the present inventors for use in the jacquard apparatus having the above-described construction.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 13, in the case of a conventional select head 8, its leading end is formed as an inclined face (face downwardly inclined to the right in Fig. 13) and the leading end of a select pin N has a semi-spherical shape without any special treatment.

[0012] Further, the select pin N is configured so as to be lowered along a select pin guiding face 19 formed in the cassette body.

[0013] It has been found, however, that a following problem occurs with use of such conventional construction described above. That is, as shown in Fig. 13 (d), as the lower end of the select pin N comes into point-contact with the inclined face, when the select pin N hits the select head 8, the select pin can sometimes rebound as illustrated in (e). Such rebounding can cause an erroneous operation.

[0014] With respect also to the relationship between the select head 8 and the select pin guiding face 19 described above, these members come into line-contact with each other, so that there can occur a rebounding of the select head 8 as indicated by a rightward upward inclined arrow in (f). As a result, it is difficult for the select head 8 to assume a stable posture, hence, an erroneous operation tends to occur.

[0015] Moreover, if an urging force is inadvertently applied to the select head 8 for some reason in the direction toward the non-contacting posture side, as illustrated in (g), the operational member 9 comprised of a piezoelectric body may be subjected to an inadvertent pivotal force (indicated by the left arrow).

[0016] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described state of the art and its primary object is to provide an improved electronic driven jacquard apparatus and a cassette for use therein, which can ensure stable selecting operations for an extended period of time and which can ensure also stable movement of the select head even the leading end of the select pin comes into contact with the leading end of the select head.

[0017] For accomplishing the above-noted object, according to the present invention, there is proposed an electronic driven jacquard apparatus comprising:

a cassette including a select head pivotally selectable between a contacting posture contacting a select pin and a non-contacting posture not contacting the select pin in association with a bending movement of an operational member which comprises a piezoelectric body and a retaining pin providing a pivot for said select head;

a jacquard machine body for fixedly supporting said cassette; and

a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating said jacquard machine body along a longitudinal direction of the select pin;

characterized in that said select pin facing said select head has a cubically convex shape end; and
an end of said select head facing said select pin has a concave portion for receiving therein said cubically convex end of the select pin.

[0018] With the electronic drive jacquard apparatus having the above-described construction, when the select pin is in contact with the select head, the cubically convex, select head side end of the select pin enters the concave portion of the select head.

[0019] Therefore, the select head side end of the select pin is fixed in position within the concave portion which surrounds or binds the cubically convex shape. On the other hand, if the above movement is viewed from the select head side, with the entrance of the leading end of the select pin into the concave portion, the positional relationship therebetween is fixedly determined.

[0020] As a result, compared with the case where the leading end of the select head is constructed simply as an inclined face, the retention condition therebetween can be stable. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the rebounding of the select pin due to unstable positional relationship, an inadvertent pivotal displacement of the select head side between the contacting posture and the non-contacting posture as well as application of an inadvertent force to the operational member.

[0021] In implementing the above-described construction, according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a cassette for use in an electronic driven jacquard apparatus, the cassette including a select head pivotally selectable between a contacting posture contacting a select pin and a non-contacting posture not contacting the select pin in association with a bending movement of an operational member comprised of a piezoelectric body and a retaining pin providing a pivot for said select head;
the jacquard apparatus including a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating a jacquard machine body along a longitudinal direction of the select pin;
said cassette being used fixedly attached to a retaining plate of said a jacquard machine apparatus;
characterized in that:

said select pin facing said select head has a cubically convex shape end; and

an end of said select head facing said select pin has a concave portion for receiving therein said cubically convex end of the select pin.

[0022] Preferably, in the electronic driven jacquard apparatus having the above-described construction, said cubically convex shape comprises a conical shape; and
said concave portion is formed of a pair of straight sides formed at said end of the select head facing the select pin and extending along the longitudinal direction of the retaining pin.

[0023] If the concave portion is formed of a pair of straight sides (straight faces) formed at said end of the select head facing the select pin and extending along the longitudinal direction of the retaining pin as described above, the straight sides, as a pair, can come into contact with the conical portion of the select pin.

[0024] As a result, the positional relationship therebetween can be even more stable, thus achieving the object of the invention.

[0025] Needless to say, the same construction can be implemented in the inventive cassette described above.

[0026] Further, in the electronic driven jacquard apparatus described above, preferably, said end of the select head includes, in a face thereof which is a pivotal front side in the pivotal movement from said non-contacting posture to said contacting posture, a head side stopper portion which comes into contact with a body of the cassette under said non-contacting posture; and
there is provided a concave cassette side stopper portion for coming into contact with said head side stopper portion under said contacting posture, thus preventing further pivotal movement of the select head.

[0027] With the above, as the head side stopper portion and the cassette side stopper portion come into face contact with each other, the posture of the select head can be maintained in an even more stable manner.

[0028] Needless to say, the same construction can be implemented in the inventive cassette described above.

[0029] Still preferably, a length of said select head from said pivot to a position contacting the select pin is equal to or shorter than a length from said pivot to an operational position where said operational member transmits an operational force to the select head.

[0030] With this, the displacement of the operational member can be transmitted reliably to the select pin side end of the select head.

[0031] Needless to say, the same construction can be implemented in the inventive cassette described above.

[0032] Further features and advantage will become apparent from the description of preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of non-limitative examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic construction of a leaver lace machine,

Fig. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a process of forming a leaver lace,

Fig. 3 shows an operational condition of jacquard machines relative to top bars and bottom bars,

Fig. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating a positioning operation of a top bar,

Fig. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating a positioning operation of a top bar,

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating a positioning operation of a top bar,

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a positioning operation of a top bar,

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating a positioning operation of a top bar,

Fig. 9 is a front view of an electronic driven jacquard machine cassette according to the present invention,

Fig. 10 is a front view of a select head,

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view illustrating a contacting condition of a select pin to a select head,

Fig. 12 is an explanatory view illustrating an operation condition of a select head within a cassette, and

Fig,. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating an operation condition of a select head when using a conventional cassette construction.

[0033] Next, there will be described an embodiment of an electronic driven jacquard apparatus J according to the present invention including a number of electronic driven jacquard machine cassettes of the invention is employed for control of a positioning of a top bar TB of a leaver lace machine R.

[0034] In the following discussion, first, the construction of the leaver lace machine R and its operations will be described briefly with reference to Figs. 1 through 3.

Leaver Lace Machine

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a schematic construction of the leaver lace machine R, showing the leaver lace machine R as viewed from its obliquely front side.

[0036] With this leaver lace machine R in operation, a plurality of beam warp threads (w) wound about a plurality of beams Bm are guided from lower positions of the machine body through a sley S to a knitting section to be intertwined with a plurality of bobbin threads (b) to form a leaver lace RL. The formed leaver lace RL is lifted and retained alternately by a back point bar BPB and an unillustrated front point bar and lifted at the same time by means of a porcupine roller PPR disposed above and having a wire fillet wound about it.

[0037] The produced leaver lace RL is then taken up by a take-up roll W contacting the porcupine roller PPR.

[0038] Now, as shown in Fig. 1,with this leaver lace machine R, there is provided a swinging mechanism (not shown) for swinging bobbins B accommodating the bobbin threads (b) therein, along the fore and aft direction of the leaver lace machine R. The position of the bobbin B is invariable relative to the right/left direction of the leaver lace machine R.

[0039] Between the sley S and the swing positions of the bobbins B, there are interposed bottom bars BB and top bars TB disposed in this mentioned order from the lower side of the machine body (the sley side) for moving the beam warp threads (w) along the right/left direction of the leaver lace machine R. These two kinds of bars BB, TB are configured to position the beam warp threads (w) in position relative to the right/left direction of the machine body. As the positional relationships between these beam warp threads (w) and the bobbin threads (b) are varied in timed association with the fore/aft movements of the bobbins B, the leaver lace RL can be formed.

[0040] Next, with reference to Fig. 2, there will be described this process of forming the leaver lace RL.

[0041] In Fig. 2, lines (shown as vertically extending one-dot lines) shown in parallel with the vertical direction represent the bobbin threads (b). Relative to these bobbin threads (b), the beam warp threads (w) are positioned by the bottom bars BB and the top bars TB.

[0042] With this leaver lace machine R, as the beam warp threads (w) are moved along the lateral and fore/aft directions to be intertwined with the bobbin threads (b), the leaver lace RL is formed. More particularly, each beam warp thread (w) is specified in its position in a fabric to be formed, with the beam warp thread (w) having alternately traversing portions (ww) extending along the lateral direction and arcuate weave advancing portions (wh) extending along the fore/aft direction, i.e. representing advancement of the weaving operation.

[0043] In the example shown in Fig. 2, from a first traversing portion (ww1) which is a portion woven first in the sequence of the weaving operation to a fourth traversing portion (ww4) which is to be woven subsequently, the beam warp thread (w) alternately assumes, a rear face position, a front face position, a rear face position and a front face position, relative to the bobbin thread (b).

[0044] In the drawing, the position of each bobbin thread (b) is shown fixed and the beam warp thread (w) is shown to be moved between the front side and the rear side of this bobbin thread (b). With the actual leaver lace machine R, however, as explained hereinbefore with reference to Fig. 1, relative to the beam warp thread (w) which is at a position fixed relative to the fore/aft direction of the machine body, the bobbin thread (b) will repeat its position movements along the fore/aft direction, thus determining the positional relationship between the beam warp thread (w) and the bobbin thread (b).

[0045] Subsequent to the above description about the front and rear side relationship between the beam warp thread (w) and the bobbin thread (b), there will be described next, the formation of the traversing portions (ww) and the weaving advancing portions (wh) described above.

[0046] In this Fig. 2, the step (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) show the positions and intertwined conditions of the beam warp thread (w) on the top bar TB and the bottom bar BB in the respective conditions.

[0047] As described hereinbefore, the beam warp thread (w) is positioned by means of the top bar TB and the bottom bar BB. More particularly, the beam warp thread (w) is inserted through guide holes (h) provided in the top bar TB and the bottom bar BB, respectively. As shown, the guide hole (ht) provided in the top bar TB is relatively large and is of a rectangular shape, thus allowing the beam warp thread (w) to assume a position located on the right side of the bobbin thread (b) or a position located on the left side of the same. Whereas, the guide hole (hb) provided in the bottom bar BB is a relatively small guide hole which can substantially fix the position of the beam warp thread (w) therein.

[0048] Therefore, in Fig. 2, step (a), the position of the beam warp thread (w) relative to the bobbin thread (b) as shown is determined as the beam warp thread (w) is located to the left side in the guide hole (ht) provided at the center of the top bar TB, thus determining its position relative to the bobbin thread (b1) which is located on the extreme right side in the drawing.

[0049] Next, as the weaving progresses, the top bars (TB) are moved to the left by two pitches and at the same time the bottom bars (BB) are moved by the same amount to the left, at this position, the position of this beam warp thread (w) relative to the bottom thread (b3) located third from the right side is determined, hence, forming the traversing portion (ww1). After this process, the bobbin thread (b) is moved along the fore/aft direction of the machine body, so that the beam warp thread (w) is located on the front side relative to the bobbin thread (b) to be intertwined with this bobbin thread (b). This is the condition illustrated in Fig. 2, step (b). In this way, the above-described weaving advancing portion (wh) is formed.

[0050] In the subsequent weaving process, the lateral movement involving the top bars TB and the bottom bars BB (the condition shown in Fig. 2, step (c) for forming a traversing portion (ww2)) and fore/aft movements of the bobbin thread (b) in the respective steps (change from the condition shown in Fig. 2, step (c) to the condition shown in Fig. 2, step (d), and change from the condition shown in Fig. 2, step (d), to the condition shown in Fig. 2, step (e)), will be effected in repetition, whereby the leaver lace fabric can be formed.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows schematically the positional relationship between the top bars TB and the bottom bars BB in the leaver lace machine R.

[0052] These top bars TB and bottom bars BB are adapted to be moved respectively along the right/left direction of the machine body. For instance, the top bar TB can assume one of 33 (thirty three) positions from 0 to 32 whereas the bottom bar BB can assume one of two positions of 0 and 1. The right/left positioning of these respective bars TB, BB is effected by jacquard machines Jt, Jb provided individually for the respective bars TB, BB.

[0053] That is, the right/left positioning of the top bar TB is effected by a top jacquard machine Jt, which comprises a jacquard apparatus J according to the present invention. With this jacquard machine Jt, the top bar TB is moved along the right/left direction in Fig. 3 relative to a dropper D which is positioned vertically of the machine body by a dropper jacquard machine Jt1 for two position selection, so that the left movement of the top bar TB is restricted by the amount of a positioning piece (s) (see Fig. 4) provided at the leading end of the dropper.

[0054] On the other hand, the bottom jacquard machine Jb is constructed as a two position selecting jacquard machine Jb, so as to determine the position of the bottom bar BB at one of the two positions along the right/left direction of the machine body which is the right/left direction in Fig. 3.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 3, the bottom bars BB are urged to the left by means of an urging mechanism (pull springs (sp)) disposed on the opposite side (the left end in Fig. 3) to the disposing position of the jacquard machine Jb and leading ends (right ends) of the bars are connected to select pins N via coupling adjustment rods A. The select pins N are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the bottom bars BB.

Top Jacquard Machine

[0056] Figs. 4 to 8 show a positioning construction for the top bar TB using the top jacquard machine Jt relating to the present invention.

[0057] As shown, the top bar TB is urged toward the side of the leaver lace machine R body by the spring (sp). Hence, when free of any restriction, the top bar TB is urged/moved toward the upper left side in the drawings. On the other hand, for the top bar TB, there is provided a positioning lever L for engaging therewith. And, this positioning lever L includes a pair of buffers Ba. In the illustrated example, the buffer Ba located on the left side is a buffer Bab for a back motion, whereas the buffer Ba located on the right side is a buffer Baf for a front motion. These front motion and the back motion operate as a pair. Namely, while the front motion side mechanism is effecting positioning of the top bar TB, the back motion side mechanism is preparing for a next positioning operation. Hence, the positioning operations can be effected efficiently and continuously, without retuning the top bar TB to its original position OP (its movement toward the leaver lace machine R body by the urging mechanism).

[0058] Now, for the buffers Ba, there are provided a pair of drive blades DB which are reciprocated between the illustrated original position OP and a positioning position PD. Regarding these drive blades DB also, the drive blade DB located on the left side in the figure is the back motion drive blade DBb and the drive blade DB located on the right side in the figure is the front motion drive blade DBf. The drive blades DB are constructed such that when the top bar TB is in a front or back motion, one drive blade DB corresponding thereto alone is reciprocated along the right/left direction in the figure.

[0059] In the above, there have been described the top bar TB and the lever L operably connected thereto. As shown in Fig. 4 etc., on the lower side of the lever L, the vertical positions of the positioning pieces (s) are controlled in accordance with the front motion and the back motion, respectively.

[0060] The control of this vertical position is effected by means of a dropper D provided for each positioning piece (s), a select pin N provided downwardly of the dropper D and an electronic driven jacquard cassette (cassette) C relating also to the present invention and provided for controlling the above components.

[0061] The dropper D includes, at its upper end portion, the positioning pieces (s) described above for use in the positioning of the lever L. The dropper D includes also, at its intermediate portion, large diameter portions Da for restricting dropping movement at lower end positions thereof, in cooperation with a restricting plate P1 shown in Fig. 4.

[0062] When the select pin N is lifted up, the lower end of the dropper D is lifted up also as coming into contact with this select pin N.

[0063] The select pin N is a bar-like member, which includes, at its leading end, a dropper contacting portion Na operable to come into contact with the lower end of the dropper D for lifting it up. As shown, this dropper contacting portion Na is formed as an enlarged diameter portion, whose lowering movement is restricted by the restricting plate P2.

[0064] The electronic drive jacquard cassette C each is configured to come into contact with the select pin N from its lower side in association with an operation of a select head 8, thus guiding the select pin N and also the dropper D to their raised positions.

[0065] Next, with reference to Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the operations of the top bar TB, the lever L, the droppers D, the select pins N and select heads 8 included in the electronic driven jacquard cassettes C will be explained first.

[0066] Fig. 4 shows a condition characterized in that both cassettes C are at their lowered positions (lowermost level) and the lever L connected to the top bar TB is located at its right end position (the original position OP of the lever L). This original position OP is set by an action of a returning mechanism (not shown) included in the leaver lace machine R. At this position OP, the positioning pieces (s) can be moved up between the drive blade DB and the buffer Ba.

[0067] Fig. 5 shows a positioning condition of the top bar TB at the time of front motion. In this, in between the drive blade DBf and the buffer Baf corresponding to the front motion, a plurality of positioning pieces (s) are moved up and fixed in position. At this time, the electronic drive jacquard cassette Cf for the front motion is lifted up (uppermost level).

[0068] Fig. 6 shows a condition which is realized with lapse of time from the condition of Fig. 5. In this condition, the front motion electronic drive jacquard cassette Cf is lowered. In this condition, between the drive blade DBf and the buffer Baf corresponding to the front motion, the plurality of positioning pieces (s) are bound and retained, so that the dropper D keeps its position. In this, the positional relationship between the lever L and the cassettes Cf, Cb is a relationship of the cassette side being offset to the right side, relative to the condition shown in Fig. 4. As to the jacquard machine, in fact, as the cassette side position is fixed, the lever L (hence, the top bar TB) is located on the left side in Fig. 4. Figs. 7 and 8 also show relative positional relationships with different positions of the cassette side relative to the lever L.

[0069] Fig. 7 shows a positioning condition of the top bar TB during an initial stage of the back motion. With lapse of time from the condition shown in Fig. 6, while the front motion electronic driven jacquard machine Cf is kept lowered, the back motion electronic driven jacquard machine Cb is lifted up. In this condition, in between the drive blade DBb and the buffer Bab corresponding to the back motion, the plurality of positioning pieces (s) are lifted up according to the posture of the select head 8 included in this cassette Cb.

[0070] Fig. 8 shows a positioning condition of the top bar TB in the back motion, subsequent to the condition shown in Fig.7. With lapse of time, the front motion electronic drive jacquard cassette Cf is retained at its lowered position whereas the back motion electronic drive jacquard cassette Cb is lifted up. And, in between the drive blade DBb and the buffer Bab corresponding to the back motion, the plurality of positioning pieces (s) are bound and retained, thus completing the positioning of the top bar TB in the back motion.

[0071] Fig. 9 shows detailed construction of the electronic drive jacquard cassette C described above. At an upper portion of this cassette C, there are defined a plurality of select pin holes 5 into which the plurality of select pins N are to be guided and inserted.

[0072] Fig. 11 shows one select pin N in details. As shown, the select pin N includes, at the lower end thereof, a conical portion N3 which comes into contact with the select head 8. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 12 at positions (d) and (g), in the contacting condition between a contacting concave portion 14 formed in the select head 8 and this select pin N, this contacting condition can be realized in a reliable and stable manner, thus preventing e.g. rebounding displacement of the select pin N. More particular, this contacting condition therebetween is realized as a line contact as denoted by a one-dot chain line in Fig. 11.

[0073] Now, for the jacquard machine body 1, as shown in Fig. 3, there is provided a reciprocating mechanism 6 for reciprocating the jacquard machine body 1, hence, the electronic drive jacquard cassette C along the vertical direction, so that the dropper D and the positioning pieces (s) can be moved up along the vertical direction.

Electronic Driven Jacquard Machine Cassette C

[0074] This electronic driven jacquard machine cassette C, as shown in Fig. 9, includes a cassette body 7 having an approximately rectangular solid shape, which accommodates therein the select heads 8 described above, operational members 9 for operating the select heads 8, the operational members 9 being comprised of piezoelectric bodies and an electronic circuit board 10 for controlling them. As shown in Fig. 9, the cassette body 7 includes, from its upper end side to its lower end side, a select pin entering portion 7a for the select pins N, a select head disposing portion 7b, an operational member disposing portion 7c and an electronic controlling portion 7d.

[0075] Referring to the above in greater details with reference to Figs. 4 and 9, from the base end side (the bottom side in Fig. 4) of the cassette C, there are provided an electronic controlling section 7d having an electronic component circuit board 10 for controlling binding movements of the operational members, an operational member disposing portion 7c disposed upwardly thereof where a fixed number of operational members 9 comprised of piezoelectric bodies are disposed to be bendable, a head disposing portion 7b disposed upwardly thereof where a fixed number of select heads 8 are disposed, and a select pin entering portions 7a disposed upwardly thereof (adjacent the leading (top) end of the cassette C) which the select pins N enter. In the select pin entering portion 7a, there are provided partitioning walls 11 for partitioning entrance passages of the respective select pins N from each other.

Select Pin Entering Portion

[0076] The select pin entering portion 7a, as will be described with reference to Fig. 12, is a portion where the leading ends of the select pins N enter. In this, there are provided a plurality of select pin guiding partitioning walls 11 juxtaposed along the longitudinal direction of the select pins which is the entering/retracting direction of the select pins N.

Select Head Disposing Portion

[0077] The select head disposing portion 7b is a portion which allows the pivotal movements of the select heads 8 and which can selectively provide a contacting posture where the select heads 8 come into contact with the select pins N and a non-contacting posture where they do not contact with each other, in association with its pivotal movement and entering/retracting movements of the select pins N.

[0078] As may be understood from Fig. 10, at a substantially center position of this select head disposing portion, there are provided a plurality of retaining pins 12 for the respective select heads 8, each retaining pin 12 acting as a pivot PIV for the select head 8 associated therewith.

[0079] The select head 8 includes a head portion 8a extending upwardly of the retaining pin 12 and an operational member entering portion 8b extending downward. The head portion 8a is formed with a length equal to or shorter than the operational member entering portion 8b. More particularly, as seen from the pivot PIV formed by the retaining pin 12, respecting the relationship between the operational position of the operational member 9 (the arm length is denoted with p1) and the operational position of the contacting concave portion 14 formed at the leading end of the head portion (the arm length is denoted with p2), the operational position of the contacting concave portion 14 is located closer to the pivot PIV (i.e. p1≧ p2). As a result, a small displacement of the operational member 9 can be transmitted to the head in a stable manner.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 10, the head portion 8a includes the contacting concave portion 14 extending downward. As may be understood from Fig. 11, this contacting concave portion 14 is comprised of a combination of two straight side portions (straight flat sides) 15, 16 extending along the thickness direction of the head portion 8a (which is the longitudinal direction of the retaining pin 12, the depth direction in Fig. 10). As a result, as shown in Fig. 12 (d), the conical portion N3 provided at the leading end of the select pin N can snugly or fittingly enter this contacting concave portion 14. Consequently, as described hereinbefore, the contacting condition between these two portions is realized as a line contact, as represented by the one-dot chain line in Fig. 11.

[0081] With the above-described construction, at the leading end of the head portion 8a, the straight side portion 15 located on the left side in Fig. 12 functions as an inclined guiding portion for guiding the select head 8 from the non-contacting posture to the contacting posture when the select pin N is placed in contact with the select head 8. In the example shown in Fig. 12, this portion is formed as an inclined face extending upward to the left from its base end (the lower side in the figure) to its leading end (upper side in the figure). In operation, as the leading end of the select pin N comes into contact with this inclined face, the select head 8 will be pivoted to the left which is the contacting posture side, thus rendering the contacting posture stable.

[0082] Also, at the leading end of the select head 8 and on the left side in Fig. 2, that is, on the face thereof which is the pivotally forward side in the pivotal movement of the select head 8 from the non-contacting posture to the contacting posture, there is provided a head side stopper portion 17 which comes into contact with the body 7 of the cassette under the contacting posture.

[0083] On the other hand, in the cassette body 7, there is provided a cassette side stopper portion 18 for coming into contact with a left end face of the head portion 8a when the select head 8 is assuming the contact posture, thereby preventing further pivotal movement of this select head 8. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, this cassette side stopper portion 18 is provided as a concave portion which is concave from the select pin guiding face 19 of the cassette body 7 in its right/left direction (pivotal forward side), so that the head portion 8a and the cassette side stopper portion 18 come into face contact with each other.

[0084] The operational member entering portion 8b is provided as an extending portion extending on the rear side of the select head 8, and at a width-wise center portion thereof, there is provided an entrance hole 20 which the operational member 9 enters. This entrance hole 20 is provided as a play hole allowing pivotal movement of the operational member 9 therein.

Operational Member Disposing Portion

[0085] Within the operational member disposing portion 7c, there are disposed a number of operational members 9 comprised of piezoelectric bodies corresponding to the number of the select heads 8. Each of these operational members 9 has its rear end fixed to provide a pivot and has its leading end entering the entrance hole 20 of the select head 8. The operational members 9 receive control signals respectively therefor from the electronic component circuit board 10 of the electronic controlling section 7d, such that each operational member 9 is bent in its right/left direction in Fig. 12. This piezoelectric body is specifically a piezoelectric ceramic transducer. As a result, the bending movement thereof controls the pivotal movement of the select head 8.

Electronic Controlling Section

[0086] Within this electronic controlling section 7d, there is provided the electronic component circuit board 10 for controlling the operations of the operational members 9. In accordance wit control information separately transmitted to the electronic driven jacquard cassette C, the control operations (controlling of select switches) for controlling the pivotal movements of the operational members 9 are effected.

[0087] Referring to materials forming the respective parts of the electronic driven jacquard cassette C, the cassette body 7, the retaining pin 12 and the select head 8 are formed respectively of resin and the select pin N is formed of metal.

[0088] In the above, there have been described the constructions of the inventive electronic driven jacquard machine Jt and the electronic driven jacquard cassette C. Next, operations thereof will be described with reference to Fig. 12.

[0089] This figure illustrates a series of movements, showing pivotal movements of the select head 8 in operative association with pivotal movements of the operational member 9 which is located on the lower side. In association with vertical reciprocal movement of the cassette C, the select pin N is moved vertically relative to the cassette C. In this figure, the lowering arrow of the select pin N represents an upward movement of the cassette C.

[0090] In Fig. 12 position, (a) shows a condition when the select pin N and the cassette C are at their home positions, wherein the select pin N is retained under the non-contacting posture which is its home position whereas the cassette C (also the jacquard machine body 1) is located at its most lowered position (lowermost position).

[0091] Next, the operations will be explained form the left side in the figure.

1. Home position

[0092] This is a condition of the positional relationship shown in position (a), characterized in that the select head 8 assumes the non-contacting posture.

2. Select pin enters while select head assumes non-contacting posture

[0093] From the condition shown in position (a), the further condition shown in position (b) is realized when the select pin N further enters the cassette C while the select head 8 keeps its posture.

[0094] In this, as shown, as the cassette C is moved up, the select pin N enters the cassette C to a deep inner position therein.

3. Contacting posture of select head

[0095] In the condition shown in position (c), with receipt of the contacting posture operational information for the select pin as knitting data, the operational member 9 is pivoted to the right side to pivot the select head 8 to its contacting posture. Under this condition, when the cassette C is moved up, this causes a relative lowering movement of the select pin N, whereby the conical portion N3 of the select pin N comes into contact with the upper end of the select head 8. As a result, the select pin N and eventually the dropper D is moved up and the positioning piece (s) is retained at its elevated position, so that the position of the top bar TB can be fixed in a stable manner.

[0096] In the above-described mode of operation, even when the select pin N is rebounded as coming into contact with the select head 8 as shown in position (e) or the select head 8 per se is rebounded from its contacting posture to the non-contacting posture as shown in position (f), due to the above-described ingenious arrangements in the leading end shape of the select head 8 and the lower end shape of the select pin N, stable and good operational conditions shown in positions (d) and (g) can be realized.

[Other Embodiments]

[0097] In the foregoing embodiment, the electronic driven jacquard apparatus relating to the present invention is embodied as a leaver lace machine. However, the invention is not limited thereto. The electronic driven jacquard apparatus of the invention may be embodied as any apparatus effecting selective movements of needles using a jacquard machine. Further, the present invention is applicable not only to knitting apparatuses, but also to any weaving machines effecting selection of warp threads.

[0098] Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the select head side end of the select pin (leading end of the select pin) has a conical shape. However, even when the leading end of the select pin has a cubically convex shape (e.g. a semi-spherical shape), the concave portion for receiving this cubically convex shape portion may be formed at the leading end of the select head, whereby the object of the present invention can be achieved in such modified construction also.

[Industrial Applicability]

[0099] The invention has achieved an electronic driven jacquard apparatus and a cassette therefor which can ensure stable select operations for an extended period of time and can ensure stable operation of the select head even when the leading end of the select pin comes into contact with the leading end of the select head.

Claims

1. An electronic driven jacquard apparatus (J) comprising:

a cassette (C, Cb, Cf) including a select head (8) pivotally selectable between a contacting posture contacting a select pin (N) and a non-contacting posture not contacting the select pin (N) in association with a bending movement of an operational member (9) comprised of a piezoelectric body and a retaining pin (12) providing a pivot for said select head (8);

a jacquard machine body (1) for fixedly supporting said cassette (C, Cb, Cf); and

a reciprocating mechanism (6) for reciprocating said jacquard machine body (1) along a longitudinal direction of the select pin;

characterized in that:

said select pin (N) facing said select head (8) has a cubically convex shape end (N3); and

an end of said select head (8) facing said select pin (N) has a concave portion (14) for receiving therein said cubically convex end (N3) of the select pin (N).

2. The electronic driven jacquard apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said cubically convex shape end (N3) has a conical shape; and
said concave portion (14) is formed of a pair of straight sides formed at said end of the select head (8) facing the select pin (N) and extending along the longitudinal direction of the retaining pin (12).

3. The electronic driven jacquard apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said end of the select head (8) includes, in a face thereof which is a pivotal front side in the pivotal movement from said non-contacting posture to said contacting posture, a head side stopper portion which (17) comes into contact with a cassette body (7) under said non-contacting posture; and
there is provided a concave cassette side stopper portion (18) for coming into contact with said head side stopper portion (17) under said contacting posture, thus preventing further pivotal movement of the select head (8).

4. The electronic driven jacquard apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a length of said select head (8) from said pivot to a position contacting the select pin (N) is equal to or shorter than a length from said pivot to an operational position where said operational member transmits an operational force to the select head (8).

5. A cassette (C) for use in an electronic driven jacquard apparatus (J), the cassette (C) including a select head (28) pivotally selectable between a contacting posture contacting a select pin (N) and a non-contacting posture not contacting the select pin (N) in association with a bending movement of an operational member (9) comprised of a piezoelectric body and a retaining pin (12) providing a pivot for said select head (8);
the jacquard apparatus including a reciprocating mechanism (6) for reciprocating a jacquard machine body (1) along a longitudinal direction of the select pin (N);
said cassette (C) being used fixedly attached to a retaining plate of said jacquard machine apparatus (J);
characterized in that:

said select pin (N) facing said select head (8) has a cubically convex shape end (N3); and

an end of said select head (8) acing said select pin (N) has a concave portion (14) for receiving therein said cubically convex end of the select pin (N).

6. The cassette according to claim 5, characterized in that said cubically convex shape end (N3) has a conical shape; and
said concave portion (14) is formed of a pair of straight sides formed at said end of the select head (8) facing the select pin (N) and extending along the longitudinal direction of the retaining pin (12).

7. The cassette (C) apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said end of the select head (8) includes, in a face thereof which is a pivotal front side in the pivotal movement from said non-contacting posture to said contacting posture, a head side stopper portion (17) which comes into contact with a cassette body (7) under said non-contacting posture; and
there is provided a concave cassette side stopper portion (18) for coming into contact with said head side stopper portion (17) under said contacting posture, thus preventing further pivotal movement of the select head (8).

8. The cassette according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a length of said select head (8) from said pivot to a position contacting the select pin (N) is equal to or shorter than a length from said pivot to an operational position where said operational member (9) transmits an operational force to the select head (8).

Drawing