TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a fabric support for a weaving machine and to a method for manufacturing such a fabric support. WO 2008/031519 A1 shows a fabric support, which is fitted to a frame of a weaving machine. The fabric support comprises several support profiles, wherein each support profile has an elongated base section adapted for being fastened to the frame of the weaving machine and a support table section formed integrally with the elongated base section. Each of the support table sections comprises a protruding lip portion arranged at their distal end and an adjoining cantilever portion, which cantilever portions extend upward and rearward from the elongated base section. The support profiles are arranged such that adjacent support profiles abut each other or such that adjacent support profiles are arranged with gaps between them, wherein an elongated guide element is attached to the lip portions, which bridges the gaps between the support profiles. The cantilever portions are provided with openings for allowing a passing of weft detectors, nozzles, such as relay nozzles or stretching nozzles, or other elements mounted to a sley of the weaving machine, during beat-up and avoiding interferences between the fabric support and the nozzles or other elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the invention to provide a fabric support and a method for its manufacturing which allow for an easy mounting of the fabric support to a weaving machine and which fabric support allows for a positioning of the elements mounted to the sley of the weaving machine with high accuracy and great flexibility.

This object is solved by the fabric support and the method with the features of claims 1 and 13. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, a fabric support for a weaving machine with a support profile and with at least one support table segment formed separately from the support profile is provided, wherein the support profile has an elongated base section adapted for being fastened to a frame of the weaving machine and a support table section formed integrally with the elongated base section, wherein the support table section comprises a protruding lip portion arranged at its distal end and an adjoining cantilever portion, which cantilever portion extends at least upward from the elongated base section, wherein the at least one support table segment comprises a protruding lip portion arranged at its distal end and an adjoining cantilever portion, wherein a length of the support table section is shorter than a length of the elongated base section, and wherein the at least one support table segment is attached to the elongated base section in a position offset to the support table section in a longitudinal direction of the support profile.

When mounting the at least one support table segment to the support profile, the at least one support table segment can be aligned with the support profile. A pre-assembled unit of the support profile with support table segments can be mounted to the weaving machine.

In one embodiment, the at least one support table segment and the support profile are made of the same material, for example made of an extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy. In preferred embodiments, the at least one support table segment is made from a more rigid material than the material of the support profile. For example, the at least one support table segment is made from steel.

In one embodiment a material thickness of the at least one support table segment is at least partly, less than a material thickness of the support table section, in particular a material thickness of the at least one support table segment at the height of its cantilever portion is less than a material thickness of the support table section at the height of its cantilever portion. By decreasing a material thickness, an installation space of elements mounted to the sley of the weaving machine is increased. Thereby, a positioning of elements mounted to the sley with respect to the weaving width, and, thus with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fabric support with a high flexibility is possible. In particular when providing support table segments made from a more rigid material, the material thickness can be decreased without or at least without significantly decreasing the bearing capacity of the fabric support.

The shape of the cantilever portion of the at least one support table segment and the shape of the cantilever portion of the support table section are chosen such that the respective lip portions are arranged near the beat-up line. The cantilever portions extend at least upward from the elongated base section. The cantilever portions in one embodiment extend along an at least essentially straight line having a vertical component. In preferred embodiments, the cantilever portions are arc-shaped, wherein a temple roller can be placed in front of the lip portions in a pulling direction of the woven fabric. ln preferred embodiments, a back side of the cantilever portion of the at least one support table segment protrudes less from the elongated base section towards a reed than a back side of the cantilever portion of the support table section. For this purpose, in one embodiment a shape of the cantilever portion of the at least one support table segment differs from the shape of the cantilever portion of the support table section.

In one embodiment, the cantilever portion of the at least one support table segment and the cantilever portion of the support table section extend along an at least essentially identical arc- shaped or straight line. Preferably, a thickness of the cantilever portion of the at least one support table segment is at least in some areas less than a thickness of the cantilever portion of the support table section. This allows that the back side of the cantilever portion of the at least one support table segment protrudes less from the elongated base section towards the reed than the back side of the cantilever portion of the support table section.

The cantilever portion of the at least one support table segment in preferred embodiments is provided with at least one opening. Such an opening allows for a passing of elements, such as nozzles, mounted to the sley. In one embodiment, the cantilever portion is provided with two openings dividing the cantilever portion into three ribs, which ribs are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction.

In preferred embodiments, the at least one support table segment further comprises a mounting portion adapted for mounting the at least one support table segment to the elongated base section. The mounting portion in preferred embodiments is provided with at least one through hole for receiving a fastening element, in particular for receiving a fastening screw. For allowing a secure fastening, in embodiments of the invention, the mounting portion is provided with two through holes which are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the fabric support.

In one embodiment, the lip portion of the support table section and the lip portion of the at least one support table segment function as guiding surfaces for the woven fabric, wherein for example a surface treatment or surface coating is applied to the lip portion of the support table section for enhancing the guiding characteristics. In preferred embodiments, the fabric support further comprises an elongated guide element, wherein the elongated guide element is mounted to the lip portions of the support table section and the at least one support table segment. The support table section and the at least one support table segment in one embodiment are arranged such that adjacent lip portions abut each other. In other embodiments, the support table section and the at least one support table segment are arranged such that gaps are formed between adjacent lip portions, wherein the elongated guide element bridges the gaps between the lip portions.

In one embodiment, the lip portion of the at least one support table segment and the lip portion of the support table section each have a flat top surface for mounting the elongated guide element.

In one embodiment, the support profile has an auxiliary support section, which auxiliary support section extends in the longitudinal direction of the support profile, wherein in particular a length of the auxiliary support section is at least essentially the same as the length of the elongated base section, wherein in particular an elongated auxiliary guide element is mounted to the auxiliary support section. The auxiliary support section is formed integrally with the support profile. Hence, no additional mounting step is required for mounting the auxiliary support section.

The elongated base section in preferred embodiments is provided with a mounting surface for mounting the elongated base section to the frame of the weaving machine and with an attachment surface to which the at least one support table segment is mounted. The mounting surface is for example a bottom surface of the elongated base section. Depending on a mounting technique, the mounting surface is provided with alignment elements and/or through holes for receiving fastening screws. In preferred embodiments, the attachment surface is inclined with respect to the mounting surface about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated base section. The arrangement of the attachment surface is suitably chosen by the person skilled in the art for avoiding forces acting only in a direction perpendicular to the fastening elements, in particular to the fastening screws, and/or for guaranteeing a sufficient material thickness of the elongated base section in an area surrounding the fastening elements.

In one embodiment, the at least one support table segment is aligned with respect to the support profile by means of the fastening elements. In preferred embodiments, the at least one support table segment abuts against an abutment surface of the elongated base section, wherein the attachment surface and the abutment surface are set at an angle to each other, in particular at an angle of about 70° to about 120°.

According to a second aspect, a method for manufacturing a fabric support for a weaving machine is provided, the fabric support having a support profile and at least one support table segment formed separately from the support profile, wherein the support profile has an elongated base section adapted for being fastened to a frame of the weaving machine and a support table section formed integrally with the elongated base section, wherein the support table section comprises a protruding lip portion arranged at its distal end and an adjoining cantilever portion which cantilever portion extends at least upward from the elongated base section, wherein the at least one support table segment comprises a protruding lip portion arranged at its distal end and an adjoining cantilever portion, and wherein a length of the support table section is shorter than a length of the elongated base section, the method comprising machining the elongated base section in a position offset to the support table section in a longitudinal direction of the support profile for forming an attachment surface, and attaching the at least one support table segment formed separately from the support profile to the elongated base section at the attachment surface.

In one embodiment, the support profile is made of an extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy, wherein by machining the support profile the length of the support table section is shortened, such that the length of the support table section becomes shorter than the length of the elongated base section.

In preferred embodiments, the at least one support table segment is formed such that after mounting the at least one support table segment a back side of its cantilever portion protrudes less from the elongated base section towards a reed than a back side of the cantilever portion of the support table section. Hence, in the region of the at least one support table segment, an additional installation space for elements mounted to the sley of the weaving machine is provided.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the claims and from the following description of an embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows schematically in a side view a part of a weaving machine with a sley and a fabric support.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an end of a fabric support with a support profile and with several support table segments. Fig. 3 shows a top view of the fabric support of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded side view of the fabric support of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the fabric support of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 shows in a perspective view from a back the support profile of the fabric support of

Fig. 2 prior to mounting the support table segments.

Fig. 7 shows a top view of the support profile of the fabric support of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows in a perspective view the part of the support profile of Fig. 6 upon mounting a support table segment.

Fig. 9 shows in a perspective view the part of the support profile of Fig. 6 after mounting several support table segments.

Fig. 10 shows a top view of the support profile of Fig. 9 after mounting several support table segments.

Fig. 1 1 shows in a perspective view from a front the part of the support profile of Fig. 9 after mounting several support table segments. Fig. 12 shows in a perspective view the part of the support profile of Fig. 1 1 after mounting an elongated guide element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows schematically in a side view a part of a weaving machine with a frame 2, a sley 3 carrying a reed 4 and a fabric support 1 mounted to the frame 2 of the weaving machine. The weaving machine is an airjet weaving machine, wherein during weaving, a weft thread (not shown) is inserted into a weaving shed formed by warp threads (not shown) by means of an airflow in an U-shaped insertion channel 5 of the reed 4, which airflow transports the weft thread through the U shaped insertion channel 5. This airflow is generated by a main nozzle (not shown) and by a number of relay nozzles (not shown) that are arranged one after the other in an insertion direction along the U-shaped insertion channel 5. In the embodiment shown, auxiliary nozzles 6 are mounted on the sley 3. The auxiliary nozzles 6 are for example stretching nozzles arranged at an arrival side of the insertion as shown for example in WO 2015/177155 A1. In the embodiment shown, the auxiliary nozzles 6 are provided on a holder 7 with a tongue 8, which is inserted in a groove provided on a reed beam 9 and clamped between a key 10 and the reed beam 9 for fixing the holder 7 to the sley 3.

A woven fabric (not shown) is supported by the fabric support 1 , which comprises several support table segments 1 1 and a support profile 12 to which the support table segments 1 1 are mounted, which fabric support 1 will be described in more detail below. The fabric support 1 comprises an elongated guide element 13 arranged at a distal end that enters into the U- shaped insertion channel 5. In the embodiment show, the support profile 12 has an auxiliary support section 18, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the support profile 12 and is arranged upfront of the elongated guide element 13 for supporting a woven fabric at a distance from the beat-up line in a pulling direction of the woven fabric. The fabric support 1 is mounted on the frame 2 and fastened with respect to a groove 31 of the frame 2 using fastening screws (not shown). As shown in Fig. 1 , during a beat-up, the sley 3 with the reed 4 and the auxiliary nozzles 6 are moved towards the fabric support 1 , wherein the support table segments 11 are formed such that interference between the fabric support 1 and the auxiliary nozzles 6 is avoided.

The fabric support 1 will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 12.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an end of a fabric support 1 with a support profile 12, with several, in the embodiment shown ten support table segments 11 and with an elongated guide element 13. The support profile 12 has an elongated base section 14 adapted for being fastened to the frame 2 of the weaving machine (see Fig. 1 ) and a support table section 15 formed integrally with the elongated base section 14.

As shown in Fig. 3, a length L15 of the support table section 15 is shorter than a length L14 of the elongated base section 14 and the support table segments 1 1 are attached to the elongated base section 14 of the support profile 12 in a position offset to the support table section 15 in a longitudinal direction of the support profile 12. In the embodiment shown, each support table segment 11 is mounted to the elongated base section 14 by means of two fastening screws 16.

As best seen in Fig. 1 1 , the support table segments 11 are each provided with openings 37 and the support table section 15 is provided with openings 17, wherein if possible relay nozzles, auxiliary nozzles or other elements attached to the sley 3 of the weaving machine (see Fig. 1 ) are arranged in the region of the openings 17, 37 for avoiding an interference with the fabric support 1 upon beat-up and allowing a movement of the elements through the openings or into the openings during beat-up.

In the embodiment shown, cantilever portions 23 of the support table segments 11 are each provided with two openings 37 such that three ribs 38 are formed, which are offset in the longitudinal direction of the fabric support 1. In other embodiments, more than two openings 37 or only one opening 37 is provided. Similar, a cantilever portion 21 of the support table section 15 is provided with openings 17 such that a plurality of ribs 39 is formed.

As best seen in Fig. 2, a length of the auxiliary support section 18 is at least essentially the same as the length L14 of the elongated base section 14. For ensuring a guiding without or with low frictional forces, an elongated auxiliary guide element 19 is mounted to the auxiliary support section 18.

Fig. 4 is an exploded side view of the fabric support 1 and Fig. 5 is a side view of the fabric support 1 comprising the support profile 12, the support table segments 11 , the elongated guide element 13 mounted to the support profile 12 and the support table segments 1 1 , and the elongated auxiliary guide element 19.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the support table section 15 comprises a protruding lip portion 20 arranged at its distal end and an adjoining cantilever portion 21 , which cantilever portion 21 extends upward and towards the reed 4 (see Fig. 1 ) from the elongated base section 14. Similar, the support table segments 11 each comprise a lip portion 22 arranged at the distal end and an adjoining cantilever portion 23, wherein when mounted to the elongated base section 14, the cantilever portions 23 of the support table segments 11 extend upward and towards the reed 4 (see Fig. 1 ) from the elongated base section 14.

The support table segments 11 further each comprise a mounting portion 24 adapted for mounting the support table segments 11 to the elongated base section 14.

The lip portion 20 of the support table section 15 and the lip portions 22 of the support table segments 11 are at least essentially identical in design and, when the support table segments 11 are mounted to the elongated base section 14, the lip portions 20, 22 are aligned with each other. In the embodiment shown, the lip portions 22 of the support table segments 11 and the lip portion 20 of the support table section 15 each have a flat top surface for mounting the elongated guide element 13. As best seen in Fig. 5, back sides 25 of the cantilever portions 23 of the support table segments 1 1 protrude less from the elongated base section 14 towards the reed 4 (see Fig. 1 ) than a back side 26 of the cantilever portion 21 of the support table section 15. Due to this design, an additional installation space for elements mounted to the sley 3, for example the auxiliary nozzle 6 shown in Fig. 1 , is provided and those elements can be arranged in a position behind a support table segment 11 , which is not provided with an opening 37 (see Fig. 2), or behind a support table segment 1 1 in a position next to a rib 38 of the cantilever portion 23.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, for achieving that the back sides 25 of the cantilever portions 23 of the support table segments 1 1 protrude less from the elongated base section 14 towards the reed 4, a thickness 27 of the cantilever portions 23 of the support table segments 1 1 is partly less than a thickness 28 of the cantilever portion 21 of the support table section 15. For ensuring a sufficient stiffness of the support table segments 11 despite the decreased thickness, in one embodiment the support table segments 11 are made from a more rigid material than the material of the support profile 12.

The elongated base section 14 is provided with a mounting surface 29 for mounting the elongated base section 14 to the frame 2 (see Fig. 1 ) of the weaving machine. The mounting surface 29 is provided at a bottom of the elongated base section 14. At a rear end of the mounting surface 29 a nose 30 is provided for aligning the elongated base section 14 with the frame 2. The elongated base section 14 is further provided with an attachment surface 32 to which the support table segments 11 are mounted. In the embodiment shown, the attachment surface 32 is inclined with respect to the mounting surface 29 about an axis parallel to longitudinal direction of the elongated base section 14. This arrangement allows for a sufficiently large attachment surface 32. In alternative the attachment surface 32 can be arranged in parallel to the mounting surface 29.

In the embodiment shown, the support table segments 11 further abut against an abutment surface 33 of the elongated base section 14, wherein the attachment surface 32 and the abutment surface 33 are set at least essentially perpendicular to one another. The attachment surface 32 and the abutment surface 33 can be machined with high accuracy, so that support table segments 11 can be attached with high accuracy in position with respect to the elongated base section 14 in the longitudinal direction of the elongated base section 14 of the support profile 12. The mounting portions 24 are each provided with two through holes 34 (only one visible in Fig. 5) for receiving the two fastening screws 16 (see Fig. 8). Above the through holes 34 there is an almost semi-circular cut-out for the head of the screw 16 (see Figs. 11 and 12).

In the embodiment shown, the elongated base section 14 is further provided with a groove 35 to which additional elements (not shown), such as additional guiding elements can be mounted.

Figs. 6, 8 and 12 show in perspective views a part of the support profile 12 of the fabric support 1 respectively prior, upon and after mounting of the support table segments 11 and the elongated guide element 13 to the support profile 12. Fig. 7 shows a top view of Fig. 6, while Fig. 10 shows a top view of Fig. 9.

Fig. 6 shows in a perspective view from a back a part of the support profile 12 of the fabric support 1 prior to mounting the support table segments 11. As shown in Fig. 6, the length of the support table section 15 is shorter than the length of the elongated base section 14, wherein in a position offset to the support table section 15 in the longitudinal direction of the support profile 12 the elongated base section 14 is machined for forming the attachment surface 32 and the abutment surface 33. The support profile 12 is machined for example by milling. Further, the attachment surface 32 is provided with threaded holes 36 for receiving fastening screws 16 (see Fig. 8). The threaded holes 36 can be provided with high accuracy in the attachment surface 32, so that the support table segments 1 1 can be attached with high accuracy in position with respect to the attachment surface 32.

Figs. 8 and 9 show the part of the support profile 12 of Fig. 6 from the back upon and after mounting support table segments 1 1 , respectively. Fig. 11 shows the part of the support profile of Fig. 6 from the front after mounting support table segments 1 1.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 11 , after mounting of the support table segments 11 , the lip portions 22 of the support table segments 1 1 are aligned with the lip portion 20 of the support table section 15. In the embodiment shown, the lip portions 22 of the support table segments 1 1 and the lip portion 20 of the support table section 15 are arranged with gaps 40 there between in the longitudinal direction. The gaps 40 are bridged after attaching the elongated guide profile 13 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 12.

As shown in Figs. 9 to 11 , after mounting of the support table segments 11 , the cantilever portions 23 of adjoining support table segments 1 1 are arranged with gaps 40 there between, wherein elements, such as auxiliary nozzles (not shown), mounted to a sley 3 (see Fig. 1 ) can be arranged in the position of the gaps 40 or the openings 17, 37. As explained above, due to the additional installation space provided behind the cantilever portions 23, the elements, such as auxiliary nozzles 6 (see Fig. 1 ) can also be arranged at the height of the position of the ribs 38.

In the embodiment shown, support table segments 11 are mounted to the support profile 12 at one side of the support table section 15 only. In particular, in the embodiment shown in the perspective view of Fig. 2, the support table segments 11 are arranged at a right side of the support table section 15 of the support profile 12, which is arranged for example at an arrival side of an inserted weft thread. In an alternative embodiment, the support table segments 11 are arranged at a left side of the support table section 15 of the support profile 12 in the perspective view of Fig. 2. In another embodiment, support table segments 11 are arranged between two support table sections 15 of a support profile 12. In still another embodiment, support table segments 1 1 are mounted in several zones along the width of the elongated base 14 of the support profile 12 that is provided with several support table sections 15 along the width of elongated base 14 of the support profile 12. For this purpose, for example, several zones of the support profile 12 are machined for forming attachment surfaces 32 for the support table segments 1 1.

Although in the embodiments shown, the support table segments 1 1 are fixed with screws 16 to the attachment surface 32 of the elongated base section 14, in an alternative embodiment the support table segments 11 can be glued or welded to the attachment surface 32 of the elongated base section 14.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the fabric support 1 according to the invention is not limited to the embodiment described by way of example and illustrated in the drawings. Alternatives and combinations of the described and illustrated embodiments that fall under the claims are also possible. For example, in other embodiments, the fabric support 1 is not provided with an auxiliary support section 18. In other embodiments, the elongated base section 14 is not provided with a groove 35. In still another embodiment, more than one groove 35 is provided.