EP0453543B2 - Automatic socks turning device for a looping machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A working cycle of the stocking turning device begins when a stocking (44), the toe of which has been sewn on a looping machine (41), is taken to its discharge region (40) and is fed there in a centred position into a gripping device (26). Here there is a photocell (43) which delivers a pulse for the start of the cycle once the stocking has reached the exact position. The stocking is thereby taken by the gripping device (26) which is pushed by a carriage (33) travelling on longitudinal guides (34, 35) between two separable belts (7) while the stocking (44) suspended on the gripping device (26) projects between two also separable, endless belts (8) arranged beneath the upper pair of belts (7). The lower end of the stocking hangs beneath the two lower belts (8) in a space between two spread-apart combs (46). When the carriage (33) has reached the end position just described it actuates a magnetic sensor (38) via which the two lower belts (8) and the combs (46) are closed, while the gripping device (26) opens and is taken back via the carriage (33) into its initial position in the discharge region (40) of the looping machine (41). The stocking is held by the closed belts (8). The return of the gripping device (26) actuates another magnetic sensor (39) which causes the upper belts (7) to close and sets both belts (7, 8) rotating in such a direction that their immediately opposite strips go upwards. In addition, a guide rod (3) is abruptly moved downwards and a second photocell (58) fitted between the combs (46) and the lower belts (8) is activated. The guide rod (3) stops shortly above the height at which the second photocell (58) is located. As soon as the free edge of the leg of the turned stocking (44) no longer darkens the photocell (58), the latter spreads the two combs (46) apart and with a slight delay the upper belts (7) are opened, while the guide rod (3) is again retracted upwards and the direction of rotation of the lower belts (8) is reversed. After the turned stocking has been removed from the guide rod (3), the photocell (58) is free once again and causes the lower belts (8) to stop, whereby at the same time the belts of both pairs are opened so that a new turning cycle for the next stocking can begin.

Description

The invention relates to an automatic hosiery turning device, that combined with a linking machine can be.

Such hosiery turning devices are already known where a rod or a rail is provided is the tubular knitted fabric already closed by sewing at its tip Stockings pulled up and at the same time, starting from the tip, rotating in opposite directions with the help of a pair, parallel rollers that are turned elastically pressed the opposite sides of the rod (US-A 4 627 557).

In a known design of these devices is a upper pair of rollers intended for turning, under which a lower pair of rollers arranged for pulling is, whose roles are usually a distance from each other have or are "open" so that between this a stocking can be introduced on one Gripping pliers hanging above the turning rollers is. The staff is also above this Rolls and moves down after the rolls "closed" and rotated, so that the stocking on the bar to a first stop can be raised, which between lies between the two pairs of rollers. After that, the baton moved further down while the take-off rollers "close" and turn in such a direction, that the stocking is pulled down from the rod can be.

There is a serious disadvantage to this system in that the contact zone between the rollers is limited to the generators in a horizontal Plane that runs through the roller axes. As a result, the pressure exerted by the rollers exercise on the stocking, be relatively high got to. This is associated with the risk that the mesh the stocking is damaged, in particular for stockings made of very thin yarn, for embroidered Stockings that have very loose threads on the left, or with terry socks for tennis or basket, i.e. from a very loosely knitted fabric.

The same applies to the coating of the rolls, in particular the turning rolls. The coatings are subject considerable wear, the faster occurs, the more sensitive the hosiery is, since this requires a larger clamping pressure.

Another disadvantage is the difficulty insert the rod into the "sack" that is from the Stocking lace is formed. This is because the Tip tips slightly against one of the two turning rollers, as soon as they have been released by the gripper is.

Further disadvantages can be seen in the fact that the intermediate stop of the rod the turning cycle is relatively long and that it is practically impossible is to turn very short stockings, for example children's stockings with a length of 12 to 15 centimeters Or less.

There are also stocking turning devices known which are two vertically stacked pairs of straps turn the stocking, which is elastic against the opposite sides of a rod act that is not vertically movable. The bottom two Ribbons pull off the stocking, for which they on one reverse their direction of rotation at a certain point in the cycle and push against the lower end of the rod (DE-A 34 13 689).

With this system, neither the stocking is damaged there is still rapid wear on the belts, because the specific pressure between the Hosiery that is turned, the stick and the Bands can be kept relatively low. However, the disadvantage of this known system is that The fact that the stockings are fed to the turning organs is problematic because it is proportional must be complicated.

The invention is based on the object To make the hosiery device available which Compound with a warping machine works automatically and the mentioned disadvantages of the known systems avoids, taking effective measures to be in the correct position of the stocking during control the wedging process on the rod.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by Characteristic of claim 1 solved.

In an advantageous development of the invention Path of movement of the gripper so specified that the Zone of contact between the opposing Gripping edges of the jaws of the gripper with respect the vertical movement plane of the turning bar laterally is so offset that towards the lower end of the Turning stick the sack is aligned on the side the sewn tip of the stocking is formed, which is gripped by the gripper as soon as it is in the inner position between the two upper bands located.

According to a further feature of the invention Gripper held on a carriage, the longitudinal guide elements is slidably mounted, which of the housing towards the dispensing zone with the to the hosiery machine stand out, the displacement of the carriage on the longitudinal guide elements of a pneumatic cylinder is controlled.

It is advantageous if the gripper with one Connected carriage, first jaw and a second Jaw has a pivot on the first The jaw is articulated, which is parallel to the vertical Shifting plane of the turning bar runs when the gripper is located between the two upper belts. Here, too, the second jaw can be moved a pneumatic cylinder is used relative to the first jaw become.

If the hosiery device on a chaining machine round design is used is the first jaw of the gripper can be pivoted about a vertical axis of rotation connected to the sled so that it is between one essentially tangential to the circumferential line of the slewing ring the position of the warping machine and one parallel to the vertical displacement plane of the turning bar current position is pivotable. The Rotation of the first jaw relative to the carriage preferably controlled by a pneumatic cylinder.

According to another feature of the invention, that the stabilizer is a pair mutually identical, straight combs which is symmetrical on both sides of the vertical Shifting plane of the turning bar arranged and are attached to the upper end of support arms that also equally designed with each other and with both Sides of the vertical shift plane lie and to run obliquely downwards, the lower ones Ends are attached to axes of rotation. To the two Comb relative to the vertical work plane the support arms are moved by a pneumatic cylinder driven.

An essential feature of the invention is in that the support structures for each band each Belt pair made of plate or cuboid bearing blocks exist that can be moved on horizontal guides stored and in pairs with a pantograph lever system which are connected via Pneumatic cylinder can be driven such that the bearing blocks during its adjustment movement with respect to the vertical Shifting plane of the turning bar always the same Have distances to this level. There are means to set the minimum distance between the Bearing blocks provided on which the respective Band pairs are stored.

Further features and advantages of the invention result itself from the claims and from the following Description of an embodiment which in the drawing is shown.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Vorderansicht eines Strumpfwendegerätes gemäß der Erfindung zu Beginn eines Arbeitszyklus, das mit einer Kettelmaschine geradliniger Bauart gekoppelt ist,

Figur 2

die vergrößerte Ansicht eines Greifers für die Übergabe der Strümpfe,

Figur 3

eine vergrößerte Ausschnittsdarstellung der Figur 1 bei einem weiteren Arbeitsschritt,

Figur 4

die perspektivische Darstellung des Lagerungs- und Bewegungssystems für die oberen und unteren Bandpaare,

Figur 5

die Seitenansicht zur Darstellung des Antriebssystems für die Tragarme der Kämme der Stabilisierungseinrichtung, welches die genaue Lage des Strumpfes beim Wenden sichert,

Figuren 6 bis 10

schematische Darstellungen der Bearbeitungsfolge beim Wenden eines Strumpfes mit Hilfe der oberen und unteren Bandpaare sowie des höhenverstellbaren Stabes und

Figur 11

eine Draufsicht auf einen Teil des Strumpfwendegerätes gemäß der Erfindung, das mit einer kreisförmigen Kettelmaschine kombiniert ist.

Show it:

Figure 1

2 shows a perspective front view of a hosiery turning device according to the invention at the start of a working cycle, which is coupled to a straight-type warping machine,

Figure 2

the enlarged view of a gripper for the transfer of the stockings,

Figure 3

2 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 1 in a further work step,

Figure 4

the perspective view of the positioning and movement system for the upper and lower pairs of bands,

Figure 5

the side view to show the drive system for the support arms of the combs of the stabilizing device, which secures the exact position of the stocking when turning,

Figures 6 to 10

schematic representations of the processing sequence when turning a stocking with the help of the upper and lower pairs of bands and the height-adjustable rod and

Figure 11

a plan view of a part of the hosiery device according to the invention, which is combined with a circular linking machine.

Corresponding components are in all figures provided with the same reference numbers.

As can be seen above all from Figures 1, 3 and 6 to 10 results, a fixed housing 1 is provided which for The turning device is accommodated and stored, whose turning organs are designated by 2.

The turning organs 2 have an elongated turning bar 3, the free end of which faces down and the by means of a box-shaped guide 5 in front of the front wall 4 of the housing 1 is mounted so that it between an upper end position (Figures 1 and 6) a lower End position (Figure 9) can be moved.

For the longitudinal displacement of the turning bar 3 is used a pneumatic cylinder 6 on the box-shaped Guide 5 is attached.

Two pairs belong to the group of turning organs 2 endless belts 7 and 8 extending in the vertical direction extend, the upper pair with 7 and the lower pair are designated 8. The flat dreams the belts run parallel to the vertical working plane, in which the turning bar 3 moves. On both sides the bands are arranged symmetrically on this plane and have a distance in the "open" state to this level if the device has no function exercises. The upper pair of bands 7 is at such a height arranged that it is between its levels, each other opposite dreams the lower end of the Turning stick 3 picks up when this is in its top position.

The bands 7 and 8 are preferably made of one Made of elastomeric plastic with the lengthways running, inner steel fibers is reinforced. On their outside, which is in contact with the stocking fabric comes, the tapes have V-shaped transverse grooves, which extend across the entire width of the tapes. Each belt 7 and 8 is guided over two rollers 9 and 10, which are particularly good in Figures 6 to 10 recognize and are driven by a role is. In the exemplary embodiment, the upper rollers 9 for the upper belts 7 and the lower rollers 8 for the lower belts 10 driven. The roller pairs 9, 10, over which the upper bands 7 run, are in each a bearing block 11 or 12 stored, the cuboid or is plate-shaped. The bearing blocks 11, 12 are slidably mounted on transverse axes 13 and 14, which is perpendicular to the vertical working plane of the turning bar 3 run, the bearing blocks 11 and 12 have the same distances from this level and by means of a pneumatic cylinder 15 this level at the same time can be approximated or removed from this. The required minimum distance between the two bearing blocks 11 and 12 and consequently between the directly opposite dreams of Bands 7 can be adjusted using a knob 16 with a scale ring can be set. In this regard, reference is made to FIG. 4 in which the distance between the top and bottom Band pair is drawn in excessively large to increase the clarity of the display.

To drive the two upper rollers 9, via which the two belts 7 are guided, a motor is used 17, which is housed in the upper part of the housing 1 is. This drives on belts 18, 19 and 20 as well Gears 21 and 22 on the rollers 9. The corresponding one Drive for the rollers 10, via which the two lower ones Bands 8 run, is constructed in an analogous manner. The only difference is that the arrangement mirror-symmetrical to a horizontal plane is. For these reasons, the description is repeated waived, suffice it that the corresponding components have the same reference numbers with the addition of a prime.

The transverse axes 13, 14 and 13 ', 14' are in the housing 1 via C-shaped profile body 23, 24 or 23 ', 24' fixed. To ensure that the bearing blocks 11 and 12 or 11 'and 12' under the drive of the respective Pneumatic cylinders 15 and 15 'each other to the same extent approaching or moving away from each other is a lever system 25 or 25 'is provided which in essentially acts as a parallelogram link and with the associated bearing blocks 11 and 12 or 11 'and 12 'is connected. Figure 4 shows the upper bearing blocks 11 and 12 associated lever system 25, the is hinged to a fixed support bracket 25a.

The adjusting knob 16 has a cam-shaped end face 16a with notches into which a finger 24a snap can, which is attached to the profile body 24, which is in turn fixed in the housing 1. If the Turn knob 16 clockwise according to arrow 16b is, the transverse axis 14 against the action of a Spring 23a are adjusted, which in turn tries the To shift the transverse axis 14 to the right (see FIG 4). This movement is via a lock nut 14 (in Figure 4 is the locknut 14'a for the lower system for lateral displacement of the bands 8 shown) on the Transfer bearing block 11.

The transfer device for the acceptance of a turning stocking from the warping machine and to Forwarding to the turning organs is particularly in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 11 shown.

This transfer device has a pincer-shaped Gripper 26 with two jaws 27 and 28, one over Pivots 29 pivotally mounted to each other are. The pivot 29 lies in a horizontal plane and extends in the longitudinal direction of the gripper 26, so that the opposing gripping edges 27 'and 28' of the jaws in a horizontal plane lie.

The gripper 26 is normally operated by a spring 30 held in its closed position. This Spring 30 is in an area above the pivot 29 inserted between the two jaws 27 and 28. Is located below the two jaws 27 and 28 a pneumatic cylinder 31, which is used to open the gripper 26 serves.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 10 the jaw 27 of the gripper 26 is fixed to one Support arm 32 attached to the side of the lower end of a slide 33 protrudes. The carriage 33 is on two horizontal longitudinal guide elements 34 and 35 slidably stored parallel to the vertical working plane run in which the turning bar 3 moves. The longitudinal guide elements 34 and 35 are in one Console 36 attached to the side of the pairs of bands 7 and 8 on the front wall 4 of the housing 1 is attached. There is a pneumatic cylinder 37 in the housing 1 housed the carriage 33 on the longitudinal guide elements 34 and 35 moves so that the gripper 26 on a predetermined straight path between one with respect to the turning organs 3, 7, 8 outer Position and an inner position is shifted in which is located between the upper bands 7, the opposing, interacting Gripping edges 27 'and 28' of the two jaws 27 and 28 parallel to the vertical working plane of the turning bar 3 lie. The parts are dimensioned so that in the latter position, the gripping edge 27 'of on the support arm 32 attached jaw 27 something about this vertical working level protrudes into one of the console 36 pioneering direction.

With 38 and 39 magnetic sensors are referred to be activated when the piston of the pneumatic cylinder 37 and with this the slide 33 in the respective Are end position in which the gripper 26 is the aforementioned occupies inner or outer position.

When the gripper 26 is in the outer position is located, it is above the delivery zone 40 of the straight line trained warping machine 41 (see FIG. 1 and 3). The stockings with the laces already sewn on, which are already trimmed or sewn are in the delivery zone 40 brought by a conveyor belt 42, that works with a carriage 42a, the by two springs, not shown, against the conveyor belt 42 is pressed. To the carriage 42a of To remove the conveyor belt 42 is a pneumatic cylinder 42b provided. The gripper 26 comes open in this position, and that of the conveyor belt 42 stocking fed towards the turning device stops as soon as he the with respect to the gripper 26 has reached the correct position.

"Correct position" means the situation which ensures that after closing of the gripper 26 and its displacement in the direction the "inner position" is that shown in FIG Sack S in the top of the stocking next to the Seam area is formed and still closed by the gripper is held with respect to the lower end of the Turning bar 3 is centered (the vertical longitudinal median plane of the turning bar 3 coincides with the vertical longitudinal median plane of the two pairs of bands 7 and 8 together). This condition must be met in order to subsequently use the To be able to turn your stocking flawlessly and without problems.

With the help of the photocell 43 in the delivery zone 40 of the warping machine 41 attached under the carriage 42a this "correct position" is determined. The This is because photocell 43 is activated as soon as it is removed from the tissue of the stocking 44 is darkened (see FIG. 1 and 3). To set up different stockings To be able to adjust sizes is the photocell 43 attached to a plate 45, the position of which towards the displacement of the gripper 26 with respect to the Delivery zone 40 of the warping machine 41 can be set can.

In front of the front wall 4 of the housing 1 is at a distance below the two lower bands 7 a stabilizing device which has the task of aligned position of the stocking during the turning process to control. It has two combs 46 which are equally designed and symmetrical to each other on both sides of the vertical working plane of the turning bar 3 are arranged. They extend at right angles to the front wall 4 of the housing 1 and are on attached upper end of two support arms 47, which also equal to each other and to the vertical mentioned Working plane are arranged symmetrically. The both support arms 47 are slightly spread upwards, and their lower ends are each about an axis of rotation 48 swivel-mounted, the right angle to the front wall 4 runs. To the combs 46 on the said Moving the vertical working plane becomes one in figure 5 shown pneumatic cylinder 49, 50 actuated in Housing 1 is housed and the two support arms 47 in the desired direction about its respective axis of rotation 48 pivots.

The smallest distance between the two combs 46 can be set via a device which is constructed similarly to the one with whose help the minimum distance between bands 7 and 8 is set becomes. Figure 5 shows that this device Rod 51 has an adjusting knob 52 attached is, which is outside the housing 1 and the front is designed as a cam 53 with notches in which a finger 54 can snap into place, which is attached to the housing 1 is. A spring 55 pushes the rod 51 in the direction the left edge of Figure 5. One on the rod 51 attached locknut 56 acts on the right arm 47 in the sense that she tries to get him from the left To remove support arm 47. On this the swivel movement transmitted over tooth sectors 57 which on the axes of rotation 48 are mounted.

Between the combs 46 and the two lower ones Bands 8 is another photocell 58, the on one side of the vertical median longitudinal plane of the Turning bar 3 is attached so that its horizontal Light beam parallel to the front wall 4 of the housing 1 is aligned.

Finally, the hosiery device with one programmable control unit 59, which with the magnetic sensors 38 and 39, with the photocells 43 and 58, with motors 17 and 17 'as well connected to all pneumatic cylinders explained above is. With the help of the program of this control unit 59 can coordinate the functions of these elements be the turning cycles for the stockings by come from the chaining machine, perform smoothly to be able to.

Below is the operation of the hosiery device explained with reference to Figures 6 to 10.

This is before a turning cycle begins Stocking turning device according to the invention in the position the figure 1. The tip or foot of the Stocking 44, already through the sewn-on foot part is closed, between the two jaws 27, 28 brought the gripper 26. Once the top end of the stocking 44 with respect to its centered position the width of the jaws of the gripper 46 has darkened the stocking 44 the photocell 43, whereby about the control unit 59 the following operations in the specified sequence: close the Gripper 26, removal of the carriage 42a from the conveyor belt 42 and finally shifting the carriage 33 with the gripper 26 in the direction of the turning elements 2. The displacement of the slide 33 has ended, as soon as the gripper 26 between the two upper bands 7, the stocking 44 between the two lower bands 8 hangs and the Combs 46 assume an open position (see FIG 6). Due to the fact that the sack S, which is next to the top of the stocking gripped by the gripper 26 44 lies, i.e. to the side of the vertical work plane of the turning bar 3, and due to the centered position the tip is located with respect to the jaws 27 and 28 the sack S is just below the lower end of the Turning stick 3. The stocking 44 darkens the photocell 58, which is inactive in this phase.

In this position the piston of the Pneumatic cylinder 37 for moving the carriage 33 close to the magnetic sensor 38, which thereby activates and a control command to the control unit 59 directs. As a result, the two lower bands 8 as well as the combs 46 of the stabilization device "closed", while the gripper 26 opens and the Carriage 33 retracted to its original position is in which the gripper 26 now open again the above explained, assumes an external position. In this position the gripper is ready to pick up the next stocking, the tip of which is sewn onto the warping machine 41 has been. The position of the turning organs now reached (Turning stick 3, pair of bands 7 and 8 as well as combs 46) is shown in FIG. 7. By returning the The magnetic sensor gives slide 33 to the linking machine 41 39 sends a pulse to the control unit 59, which means that the two upper bands 7 are "closed" and both the upper bands 7 as well the lower belts 8 driven in such a direction of rotation be that their directly opposite each other Run dreams up. By the Control command also activates the photocell 58 and the turning bar 3 shifted down. there becomes the stocking held between the combs 46 pushed up and on the turning bar 3, whereby it is turned according to Figure 8.

In this phase the stabilizer provides with the combs 46 for the stocking during excited about his upward movement remains so that it will stretch if it turns or would kink, so that jamming or tilting the turning bar 3 in the cavity the heel or in the doubled, elastic, free Edge of the leg part of the stocking is prevented.

If the turning bar 3 is the one shown in FIG. has reached the lowest position, the belts 7 rotate and 8 further in the direction of the arrows, see above that the stocking is pushed up on the turning bar 3 becomes. However, once the top of the leg section the stocking no longer darkens the photocell 58, gives this a command to the control unit 59 off, which sets the following functions in motion become.

After the combs 46 have been opened with a slight delay the rotation of the top bands 7 stopped so the top of the Leg portion of the stocking pushed over the upper bands 7 becomes. The control command will also the turning bar 3 moves upwards while the direction of rotation of the lower belts 8 is reversed, to pull the stocking down.

With the stocking removed from the turning bar 3 who moves upwards becomes the Photocell 58 again by the moving down Stocking 44 darkens (see FIG. 10) without however, this stops the lower belts 8, until the darkening of the photocell 58 is interrupted again becomes.

As a result, the movement of the lower Bands 8 is stopped, these and the top Move belts 7 into their open position at the same time, so a new stocking for the beginning of a following turning cycle can be introduced.

It should be noted that during the described Workflows the rotation of the upper belts 7 the lower straps 8 supports the stocking wind the turning bar 3, and that the following Standstill of the tapes 7 serves the double-laid To hold part of the stocking that extends over the two upper bands 7 is located, causing the peeling of the flawlessly turned stocking relieved becomes.

The advantages of the hosiery device according to the Invention are due to the special properties numerous and of special, practical importance. Because the diameter of the rolls over which the tapes run, can be relatively small (e.g. 34 mm), is the one clamped between the lower bands 8 Stocking little over the top of the Clamping zone (in practice about 22 mm), so that there is no danger that he can lean to the side, which is why the downward turning bar 3 is safe enters the sack, which is on one side of the sewn on Top of the stocking is located.

Due to the fact that the contact zone between the two gripping edges 27 ', 28' of Baking the closed gripper 26 on one side the vertical working plane of the turning bar 3 is located (generally 5 mm laterally offset to this Level), it is ensured that the turning bar 3 always enters this sack exactly, even if the turning device combined with a straight-line warping machine is, then the sack from the belt conveyor is held until the looper sews the tip of the Stockings captured.

Through the use of tapes, their Closing force spread over a large area, so that the pressure on the stocking is relatively low is, which means that even very sensitive, fine stockings are not damaged by the tapes can, which in turn a negligible Experience wear.

The fact that the tapes run across the entire width, V-shaped Have cross grooves so that stockings with very loose stitches are not damaged when turning, because the continuous quemutes worked loosely Can neither grasp nor remove threads.

The time required for a turning operation is relatively short, because the turning bar 3 during its movement between the upper and the lower End position does not stop. Because the lower Bands 8 that are involved in the turning process, too serve to pull the stocking down and to reverse their direction of rotation, it is ensured that no friction acts on the stocking, what before excludes all damage to terry socks.

The turning bar stops as it moves down 3 in such a position that its lower End located below the lower bands 8. That has the advantage that the lower bands 8 are not on the area act on the sewn tip of the stocking, but only on the foot area. In this is namely the opposite direction of the stitches of those in the top of the stocking, so that in the one below Part of the danger is avoided that the Mesh of a terry sock be raised.

It is particularly advantageous that both bands each pair are driven because this makes each relative Avoid shifting the height of the hosiery is, which are located on both sides of the turning bar 3.

The fixed connection between the combs 46 and its support arms 47 allows the stocking to always be well tensioned and during the turning process keep exactly aligned, avoiding the danger is that the turning bar 3 in the heel or canted in the upper edge of the leg part of the stocking or jammed if the stockings are double elastic or the upper margin is double. Simultaneously relieved the drive of the support arms carrying the combs 47 by means of a pneumatic cylinder of the hosiery device on stockings different Thick.

The hosiery device according to the invention can also be used to turn children's stockings if they have a length that of the combs 46 can be held. The device can however easily on stockings of small sizes up to one Minimum length of 18 cm can be adjusted. This is enough it is to remove the photocell 58 and the To program the control unit so that the time for one Turning process is fixed, including the downward stroke of the turning bar 3 reduced accordingly and the combs 46 approximate the lower bands 8 become.

Removing the stocking that has already been turned downwards is favored by the fact that the upper Bands 7 that are at the beginning of the cycle in the same Turn direction like the lower bands 8 during the Withdrawal phase is stopped and thereby the downward movement brake the stocking slightly.

The upper bands 7 and the lower bands 8 are simultaneously towards the vertical working plane the turning bar 3 moved and withdrawn from this plane, for which each pair of belts with a pneumatic cylinder connected is. With this measure can the minimum distance of the tapes from the above Level can be set easily and very precisely, so that the hosiery device easily and precisely to the treatment adapted from stockings of different thicknesses can be without special training Personnel is required. The one for this setting required operation is so simple that it can be carried out by any operator can that on the linking machine and the hosiery device is working. It is enough for each pair of bands just turn the corresponding knob, which is graded and easily accessible is. In this way, the smallest distance between the tapes from the vertical working plane of the turning bar 3 can be set with micrometer accuracy.

The hosiery device with the explained features and advantages is extremely reliable, very adaptable and easy to operate, so that not itself specially trained personnel can.

Of course, details of the invention modified within the scope of the inventive concept become.

If, for example, the hosiery device a linking machine 41 'round design is combined (see FIG. 11), the jaw 27 'of the gripper 26' is not rigidly attached to the support arm 32 of the carriage 33, but pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation 60. Before the gripper 26 'in the direction of the turning organs it is moved by a pneumatic cylinder 61 a position shown in broken lines in FIG. 11, in which he removes the stocking from the needles 62 of the slewing ring the linking machine 41 'takes over into one position rotated, which is essentially parallel to the vertical working plane of the turning bar 3 runs and in Figure 11 is drawn with solid lines.

The gripping edges of the two grasping the stocking Jaws 27 'and 28' are curved in this case formed, the curvature to the circular arc shape the turntable of the needles 62 is adapted. In in the same way is the plate 45, which is the photocell 43 carries, curved (not shown in Figure 11), so that the adjustment of the position of the photocell 43 to the width of the stocking in that the plate 45th with the photocell in the circumferential direction of the slewing ring 62 is adjusted.

As mentioned earlier, another change can be made consist of the photocell 58 being omitted which is in the space between the combs 46 and the lower bands 8 is provided. Then this is advantageous if small stockings are to be turned over, and is possible if the control unit 59 is so is programmed that the cycle time for a turning process is fixed.

Another variant can be that the Pneumatic cylinder 6, which is used to drive the turning bar 3 is provided, with magnetic sensors 63, 64 and 65 is equipped (see FIG. 1), which of the control unit 59 report when turning stick 3 reaches its top reached its lowest and middle position Has.

In a corresponding manner, the carriage can also 33 controlling pneumatic cylinders 37 a middle one Have magnetic sensor 66.

The magnetic sensors provided in the middle area 65 and 66 have the advantage that they have the control unit 59 initiate certain functions, before the gripper 26 and / or the turning bar 3 the has reached the respective end position.

Claims (22)

1. An automatic stocking turning device, which may be combined with a looping machine, having:

   turning members (3, 7, 8), which are borne in a case (1) and which comprise:

   a perpendicular turning rod (3), whereof the free end points downwards,

   a first pair of upper (7) and a second pair of lower (8) closed belts, which rotate in a longitudinal direction and whereof planar belt sides run parallel to the perpendicular working plane and displacement plane of the turning rod (3), are arranged symmetrically to the mutually opposing sides of this plane and are normally distanced therefrom when the device is not running,

   wherein each belt (7, 8) runs over two rollers (9, 10) at least one of which is driven and both of which are housed in a supporting structure (11, 12; 11', 12'), wherein both supporting structures associated with each pair of belts may be simultaneously adjusted towards the perpendicular working plane of the turning rod (3) and may be moved away therefrom,

   a transfer device for removing, from the looping machine (41), stockings (44) which are to be turned and for transferring the stockings to the turning members (2), wherein

   the transfer device has a gripper (26) with two jaws (27, 28), whereof mutually opposing gripping edges (27', 28') match each other and lie in a substantially horizontal plane, and

   means (30, 31) are proveided for opening and closing the jaws (27, 28),

   characterized in that
   the perpendicular turning rod (3) in the case (1) is housed displaceably in the longitudinal direction between a bottommost and a topmost end position, and is linked to driving means (6) for its longitudinal displacement,
   wherein the first pair of belts (7) takes up the free end of the turning rod (3) between its directly opposing belt sides, when the turning rod is in its upper end position,
   means (37) are provided for displacing the gripper (26) on a predetermined path between two end positions, in particular an outer position in relation to the turning members (3, 7, 8) and an inner position between the belts (7) of the upper pair of belts, wherein the mutually opposing gripping edges (27', 28') of the jaws (27, 28) of the gripper (26) run parallel to the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3), and
   a stabilizing device (46, 48) for controlling the aligned position of the stocking (44) during the turning process is housed in the case (1) and arranged below the lower pair of belts (8),
   further being provided

   a photocell (43) in the area of delivery (40) of the looping machine (41) coupled to the stocking turning device, the photocell (43) emitting an impulse when the stocking, of which the gripper (26) is to take hold, has reached a position central to the jaws (27, 28),

   a first and a second magnetic sensor (38, 39), for emitting impulses when the gripper (26) has reached its outer or inner position in relation to the turning members (3, 7, 8), and

   a programmable control unit (59) for operating the driving means for the transfer device with the associated gripper (26), for the driving rollers of the two pairs of belts (7, 8), for the supporting structures (11, 12; 11', 12') of the pairs of belts and for the stabilizing device for the stocking to be turned, wherein this operation takes place as a result of the control commands which the control unit (59) receives from the photocell (43) and the magnetic sensors (38, 39), so that an automatic cycle is completed for the feed and the turning process of the stockings which are taken from the looping machine (41) into the stocking turning device.
2. A stocking turning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the path of movement of the gripper (26) is pre-set such that the contact area between the mutually opposing gripping edges (27', 28') of the jaws (27, 28) of the gripper (26) are laterally offset in relation to the perpendicular movement plane of the turning rod (3), such that the sack (S) is aligned towards the lower end of the turning rod (3), this sack being formed on the side of the stitched toe of the stocking, which is taken hold of by the gripper (26) as soon as the latter is in the inner position between the two upper belts (7).
3. A stocking turning device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the gripper (26) is held on a carriage (33) which is displaceably housed on longitudinal guide elements (34, 35) which project away from the case (1) towards the area of delivery (40) of the looping machine (41) which is coupled to the stocking turning machine.
4. A stocking turning device according to claim 3, characterized in that the driving means for the displacing movement of the gripper (26) along the predetermined path have a pneumatic cylinder (37) for displacing the carriage (33) on the longitudinal guide elements (34, 35) between two end positions, in particular an end position in which the gripper (26) is in an outer position in relation to the area of delivery (40) of the looping machine (41) and an inner position in which the gripper (26) is between the two upper belts (7).
5. A stocking turning device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the gripper (26) has both a first jaw (27), which is linked to the carriage (32, 33), and a second jaw (28), which is attached by way of a pivot pin (29) to the first jaw (27), this pivot pin running parallel to the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3) when the gripper (26) is between the two upper belts (7).
6. A stocking turning device according to claim 5, characterized in that, in combination with a linear looping machine (41), the first jaw (27) is fixedly linked to the carriage (32, 33), such that it runs constantly parallel to the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3).
7. A stocking turning device according to claim 5, charcterized in that, in combination with a circular looping machine (41'), the first jaw (27') of the gripper (26) is connected pivotally to the carriage (32, 33) about a perpendicular axis of rotation (60), such that it is pivotal between a position running substantially tangentially to the circumferential line of the live ring (62) of the looping machine (41') and a position running parallel to the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3).
8. A stocking turning device according to claim 7, characterized in that a pneumatic cylinder (61) is provided for pivoting the jaw (27') attached to the carriage (32, 33), the pneumatic cylinder being arranged between the carriage and the pivotal jaw (27').
9. A stocking turning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for opening and closing the gripping arm (26) have a pneumatic cylinder (31), which is fixed between the two jaws (27, 28) of the gripper (26), below the common pivot pin (29), wherein a spring (30) is placed over the pivot pin (29) between the two jaws (27, 28).
10. A stocking turning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilizing device has a pair of mutually identical combs (46), running linearly, which are attached symmetrically on both sides of the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3) and secured at the upper end by supporting arms (47) which are likewise mutually identical in form and which lie on both sides of the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3), running downwards at an angle thereto, the lower ends being fixed to rotational spindles (48).
11. A stocking turning device according to claim 10, characterized in that the angles enclosing the two supporting arms (47) and the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3) are identical to the angles which the two combs (46) form with the horizontal.
12. A stocking turning device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by means for a simultaneous coming together and moving apart of the two combs (46) towards and away from the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3), which is turned in opposing directions about the respective rotational spindles (48) by the supporting arms (47) with the combs (46) secured thereto.
13. A stocking turning device according to claim 12, characterized in that the means comprise a pneumatic cylinder (50) which is linked to the supporting arms (47).
14. A stocking turning device according to claim 13, charaterized by means (51, 52, 56) for setting a minimum distance between the two working edges of the two combs (47) which are opposite the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3).
15. A stocking turning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structures for each belt (7, 8) of each pair of belts comprise plate-shaped or cuboid bearing blocks (11, 12; 11', 12') which are displaceably housed on horizontal guides and which are linked in pairs to a pantograph lever system (25), which may be driven by way of pneumatic cylinders (15, 15') such that the bearing blocks (11, 12; 11', 12') are always at the same distances from the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3) during their adjusting movement in relation to this plane.
16. A stocking turning device according to claim 15, characterized by means (14a, 16) for setting the minimum distance between the bearing blocks (11, 12; 11', 12') on which the respective pairs of belts are housed.
17. A stocking turning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a second photocell (58) which is attached between the lower pair of belts (8) and the stabilizing device (46, 47, 48, 50) arranged below it, to one side of the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3) such that it lies opposite the movement path of the stocking, the stocking passing through the movement path before the turning process and during its release, wherein the lower end position of the turning rod (3) is determined by its lower end being below the lower belts (8) and above the second photocell (58).
18. A stocking turning device according to claim 17, characterized in that the second potocell (58) is coupled to the programmable control unit (59) such that when it is no longer obscured by the upward movement of a stocking to be turned, brings about the opening of the combs (46) of the stabilizing device, with a slight delay the interruption of the movement of the two upper belts (7), the start of the upward movement of the turning rod (3) and the reversal in the direction of rotation of the two lower belts (8), wherein the two lower belts (8) continue to turn when the second photocell (58) is again obscured by the stocking (44) which is drawn off downwards, wherein the turning of the two upper belts (7) is furthermore stopped as soon as the photocell (58) is again obscured by the stocking (44) which is falling from the turning rod (3) and released from the belts and wherein, finally, the closing opening of the belts (7 and 8) of each pair of belts restores the stocking turning device to the initial position, in which it is ready for the start of a new turning cycle as soon as the first photocell (43) detects the arrival of a following stocking at the gripper (26) and the central position thereof.
19. A stocking turning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first photocell (43) is linked to the programmable control unit (59) in a manner such that, at the arrival of a stocking from the looping machine (41) in the position central to the gripper (26), it closes the gripper (26), distances the carriage (42a) from the conveyor belt (42) and displaces the carriage (33) supporting the gripper (26) towards the turning members (3, 7, 8), whereby a turning cycle of the device is set in motion.
20. A stocking turning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first magnetic sensor (38) is activated when the gripper (26) has reached its position between the two upper belts (7), and in that the magnetic sensor (38) is at the same time linked to the control unit (59) such that the two lower belts (8) close, the combs (46) of the stabilizing device are closed and the gripper (26) opened and taken back into the area of delivery (40) of the looping machine (41).
21. A stocking turning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic sensor (39) is activated when the gripper (26) has returned to the area of delivery (40) of the looping machine (41), wherein this magnetic sensor (39) is coupled to the control unit (59) such that the two upper belts (7) are then closed, the belts (7, 8) of both pairs of belts are turned in such a direction that their belt sides directly opposing the perpendicular displacement plane of the turning rod (3) are moved upwards, the second photocell (58) is activated and the downwards movement of the turning rod (3) towards the lower end position is started.
22. A stocking turning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more of the lower belts (8) comprise an elastomer plastics material which is strengthened by inner steel fibres running in the longitudinal direction, and have, on their outer side taking up the fabric of the stocking, V-shaped grooves running in the transverse direction and extending over the entire width of the belts (8).

Images