Description Heddle frame

[0001]The invention relates to a heddle frame with at least one frame part and with at least one heddle carrying rod which is attached to the frame part, wherein on the heddle carrying rod at least one projection is formed which can be arranged on the frame part.

[0002]A heddle frame of this type is known, for example, from WO 2006/058565 A1. In this case, heddles can be mounted to the heddle carrying rods and are held with play in the raising and/or lowering direction of the heddle frames, so that they can easily be pushed to the side for a repair in the event of a warp thread break, without the risk of the heddles undergoing deformations and/or damages. The frame part and the heddle carrying rods are to be formed from as wear-resistant a material as possible. On account of high weaving speed, further, as low a weight as possible is advantageous. At the same time, however, a high deformation stiffness or flexural stiffness must be ensured, in order to prevent a deformation and/or break of the heddle carrying rod and/or of the frame part.

[0003]The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a heddle frame which can be manufactured with as low a weight as possible and which has high flexural stiffness. The object of the invention is, further, to provide a method for producing a heddle frame having high flexural stiffness.

[0004]This object is achieved by the subjects having the features of Claims 1 and 14. Further advantages of the invention may be become apparent from the subclaims.

[0005]The object is achieved, in particular, by a heddle frame with at least one frame part and with at least one heddle carrying rod which is attached to the frame part, wherein the heddle carrying rod having shaped on it, for example by means of plastic deformation, at least one projection which can be mounted to the frame part, wherein forming of projections is limited to regions of the heddle carrying rod with low flex- ural stress. By one or more projections formed on the heddle carrying rod, a cost-effective, accurate and reliable positioning and/or connection on/to the frame part can be achieved. By the shaped-out projections being limited to regions of the heddle carrying rod which have comparatively low flexural load when the heddle frame is in use, a weakening of the heddle carrying rod due to the shaped-out projections, for example due to a notch effect, has a less adverse effect.

[0006] In an embodiment of the invention, an arrangement of projections on the heddle carrying rod is limited to lateral regions of the heddle carrying rod, as seen in the transverse direction. Normally, a flexural load on the heddle frame is markedly higher in the middle, as seen in the transverse direction of the heddle carrying rod, than on the lateral regions, in particular the edge or end regions. By restricting the shaping of projections to the lateral regions, therefore, a weakening due to the projections is kept as low as possible, in particular a weakening due to a notch effect on account of the configuration of the projections.

[0007]ln a further embodiment of the invention, the frame part is provided with a longitudinal groove which runs in the longitudinal direction of the heddle carrying rod and in which the at least one projection of the heddle carrying rod is insterted. A longitudinal groove of this type can be shaped in a simple way and makes it possible to have a good connection.

[0008]ln a further embodiment of the heddle frame, the height of the at least one projection of the heddle carrying rod corresponds substantially to the height of the longitudinal groove of the frame part. A projection or projections of this type is/are therefore advantageous for good connection and positioning.

[0009]ln a further embodiment of the heddle frame, the longitudinal groove is formed between two substantially L-shaped webs arranged mirror-symmetrically. The L-shaped webs form an open chamber, into which an adhesive can be introduced for a connection between heddle carrying rod and frame part.

[001 O]In a further embodiment of the heddle frame, the at least one projection has at least one extension which engages behind the L-shaped webs when the heddle carrying rod is mounted to the frame part. Engaging behind in this way has the effect of securing the heddle carrying rod in the frame part. A connection preferably takes place by the parts being shifted one into the other in the longitudinal direction of the heddle carrying rod. Only comparatively low securing is necessary in this longitudinal direction, since loading predominantly occurs in the raising and lowering direction of the heddle frame.

[0011 ]ln a further embodiment of the heddle frame, the projections are bent out of the heddle carrying rod. Projections of this type can be produced simply and cost-effectively.

[0012]ln an embodiment of the heddle frame, the projections are bent about at least one bending axis running substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the heddle carrying rod. The bending axis thus runs parallel to the main loading direction, and loading does not lead to further deformation about the bending axis.

[0013]ln an embodiment of the heddle frame, a holing is provided in the heddle carrying rod in the region in which the projections are arranged. Holing of this type makes it simpler to shape the projections out of the heddle carrying rod.

[0014]ln a further embodiment of the heddle frame, the projections are cut out by means of punching. Simple production is thereby possible.

[0015]ln a further embodiment of the heddle frame, the projections have two surfaces approximately parallel to one another. Boss-like projections of this type can advantageously be formed, for example, at a location having a comparatively high material thickness. The projection top sides and undersides running approximately parallel to one another allow good guidance in the longitudinal groove or another recess of the frame part during shifting-in and when loading occurs in use of the heddle frame.

[0016]ln a further embodiment of the heddle frame, an adhesive is provided in the longitudinal groove, wherein the heddle carrying rod being connected to the frame part by means of adhesive bonding at least between the lateral regions. The adhesive is in this case preferably provided also in regions in which projections are shaped out. A continuous reliable connection is thereby achieved.

[0017]ln a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one projection is shaped out of the heddle carrying rod by means of plastic deformation.

[0018]The object is further achieved by a method for producing a heddle frame with at least one frame part and with at least one heddle carrying rod which is attached to the frame part, wherein at least one projection is being formed on the heddle carrying rod and is being attached to the

frame part, and a forming of the projections is being restricted to regions of the heddle carrying rod with low flexural stress. Restricting an arrangement of projections to regions with low flexural stress, in particular to the lateral regions, affords a heddle frame having high flexural stiffness. Further, a heddle frame with high resistance against fatigue by the avoidance of a notch effect due to the projections is provided.

[0019]Further advantages of the invention may be understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention which are illustrated schematically in the drawings. Identical reference symbols are used in the drawings for the same or similar components. All the features and/or advantages, including structural particulars, spatial arrangements and method steps, which become apparent from the claims, the description or the drawings may be relevant for the invention both in themselves and in the most diverse possible combinations. Features described or illustrated as part of one embodiment may likewise be used in another embodiment in order to obtain a further embodiment of the invention.

[002O]In the drawings:

[0021 ]Fig. 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of a heddle frame according to the invention;

[0022]Fig. 2 shows a part-view in the direction of the arrow Il according to Fig. 1 ;

[0023]Fig. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a heddle carrying rod according to Fig. 1 ;

[0024]Fig. 4 shows a top view of the narrow side of the heddle carrying rod according to Fig. 3;

[0025]Fig. 5 shows a view, similar to Fig. 1 , of a second exemplary embodiment of a heddle frame according to the invention;

[0026]Fig. 6 shows a part-view in the direction of the arrow Vl according to Fig. 5;

[0027]Fig. 7 shows a perspective illustration of a heddle carrying rod according to Fig. 5;

[0028]Fig. 8 shows a part-view, similar to Fig. 6, of a heddle carrying rod and a frame part according to a third exemplary embodiment;

[0029]Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of the narrow side of the heddle carrying rod according to Fig. 8;

[0030]Fig. 10 shows a view of a heddle carrying rod according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0031]Fig. 11 shows a sectional partial side view of a heddle frame according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0032]Fig. 12 shows a variant of Fig. 1 1.

[0033]Fig. 1 shows schematically a heddle frame 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The heddle frame 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 has an upper frame part 10 and a lower frame part 1 1 which are connected to one another by means of two side parts 12, 13 to form a frame. The frame parts 10, 11 illustrated in each case comprise a flange 14, 15 and have the same cross section. The frame parts 10, 11 are arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another in such a way that the two flanges 14, 15 lie opposite one another. Heddle carrying rods 16, 17 are attached to the flanges 14, 15. Heddles 3 are held on the heddle carry-

ing rods 16, 17 by means of loops 32 with play in the raising and lowering direction of the heddle frame 1. The heddle carrying rods 16, 17 and the loops 32 of the heddles 3 have for this purpose complementary pro- filings which cannot be seen in Fig. 1. The heddles 3, further, have in each case a thread eye 31 through which warp threads (not illustrated) are guided.

[0034]ln the exemplary embodiment illustrated, an upper heddle carrying rod 16 and a lower heddle carrying rod 17 are provided. In other configurations, only one heddle carrying rod is provided. The heddle carrying rods 16, 17 illustrated are, further, of identical design and are attached in the same way in each case to the associated frame part 10, 11. The following description, which refers to the upper frame part 10 and to the associated upper heddle carrying rod 16, therefore also applies in the same way to the lower frame part 11 and the heddle carrying rod 17. However, embodiments may also be envisaged in which the upper and the lower heddle carrying rod are configured differently. The heddle carrying rods 16, 17 have a longitudinal direction L.

[0035]According to the invention, projections 22 are shaped, for example, on the heddle carrying rods 16, 17 by means of plastic deformation, in particular by the cold-forming of the heddle carrying rod. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, in each case eight projections 22 are shaped on the upper heddle carrying rod 16 and on the lower heddle carrying rod 17. It is conceivable, of course, to provide a different number of projections 22. According to the invention, however, no projections 22 are shaped in the region A having an expected high flexural stress when the heddle frame 1 is in use. In the illustrated first exemplary embodiment of the heddle frame 1 , for this purpose, a shaping of projections 22 is limited to lateral regions B and C of the heddle carrying rods 16, 17, as seen in the transverse direction. The flanges 14, 15 of

the frame parts 10, 1 1 have clearances, which cannot be seen in Fig. 1 , into which the projections 22 are inserted.

[0036]Fig. 2 shows a part-view of the heddle frame illustrated in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrow Il according to Fig. 1. The upper flange 14 and the upper heddle carrying rod 16 can be seen in the part-view. As is recognizable in Fig. 2, the flange 14 has a substantially U-shaped cross section with a foot 140 and with a bar 141. A longitudinal groove 18, in which the projection 22 of the heddle carrying rod 16 is held, is shaped between two webs 19 in the foot 140. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the height H of the projection 22 of the heddle carrying rod 16 corresponds substantially to the height H of the longitudinal groove 18 on the flange 14. A reliable connection and positioning in the raising and lowering direction of the heddle frame are thereby afforded. In one embodiment, further, the longitudinal groove 18 is filled over all the regions A, B and C with adhesive, not illustrated, according to Fig. 1 , in order to consolidate a connection between the heddle carrying rod 16 and the flange 14. In this case, it is preferable that the adhesive is applied not only in the regions B and C, but also in a region A of the longitudinal groove 18 in which no projections 22 engage into the longitudinal groove 18.

[0037]Fig. 3 and 4 show a perspective illustration and a top view of the narrow side of the heddle carrying rod 16 according to Fig. 1 and 2.

[0038]As can be seen in Fig. 3 and 4, the projections 22 are bent out of the plane of the heddle carrying rod 16. As can best be seen in Fig. 3, in the first exemplary embodiment illustrated, the projections 22 are shaped in the region of a groove-shaped recess 27, extending in the longitudinal direction, of the heddle carrying rod 16, wherein in the exemplary embodiment illustrated the recess 27 and the projections 22 being shaped on opposite sides of the heddle carrying rod 16. The projec-

tions are bent out of the plane of the heddle carrying rod 16 about a bending axis 34 running substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction L of the heddle carrying rod. As can best be seen in Fig. 4, the projections 22 have two surfaces 35, 36 approximately parallel to one another.

[0039]Fig. 5 shows a view of a heddle frame 101 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The heddle frame 101 according to Fig. 5 in this case corresponds substantially to the heddle frame 1 according to Fig. 1 , and identical reference symbols are used for the same components. A description of these components is dispensed with. The heddle frame 101 comprises frame parts 10, 11 with flanges 1 14, 115, and also heddle carrying rods 116, 117 arranged on these. Projections 122 are likewise shaped out on the heddle carrying rods 116, 117 by means of plastic deformation. However, the projections 122 differ from the projections of the first exemplary embodiment in that they have additional extensions 123 on the sides. The projections 122 engage into corresponding longitudinal grooves, not illustrated in Fig. 5, of the flanges 114, 1 15. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated according to Fig. 5, in each case four projections 122 are provided on the upper heddle carrying rod 1 16 and on the lower heddle carrying rod 1 17. Here, too, it is, of course, conceivable to provide a number of projections 122 which is different from this.

[0040]Fig. 6 shows a part-view in the direction of the arrow Vl according to Fig. 5, wherein the flange 114 and the heddle carrying rod 1 16 being illustrated. As can be seen in Fig. 6, the flange 1 14 has a T-shaped cross section, a longitudinal groove 118 being formed in a foot 140 by two substantially L-shaped webs 119. The projection 122 on the heddle carrying rod 116 is inserted into the longitudinal groove 118 such that the extensions 123 engage behind the L-shaped webs 119. By displacement in the longitudinal direction, in this case, the heddle carrying

rod 116 and the flange 1 14 of the frame part 10, not illustrated, can be connected to one another. By the extensions 123 engaging behind the L-shaped webs 119, the connection between the heddle carrying rod 116 and the flange 1 14 is improved. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the longitudinal groove 118 is filled with adhesive 125. The adhesive is in this case preferably also provided in a region A according to Fig. 5 in which no projections 122 engage into the longitudinal groove 118 during use. A suitable adhesion agent can be used as adhesive.

[0041]Fig. 7 is a perspective illustration of the heddle carrying rod 116 according to Fig. 5 and 6. As can be seen in Fig. 7, in this exemplary embodiment, too, the projections 122 are shaped in the groove-shaped recess 27 on a side of the heddle carrying rod 1 16 which lies opposite the recess 27. In order to shape these projections in a simple way, a holing 124 in the heddle carrying rod 114 is provided, which may be larger than the area shaped out by the projections 122 having the extensions 123.

[0042]Fig. 8 shows a heddle carrying rod 216 and a flange 14 of a heddle frame according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. The flange 14 in this case corresponds to the flange according to Fig. 2. The heddle carrying rod 216 has projections 222 which engage into the longitudinal groove 18 of the flange 14. According to the third exemplary embodiment of the invention, the projections 222 are shaped in a recess 227, wherein the recess 227 and the projections 222 being shaped on the same side of the heddle carrying rod 216. An end 224 formed by the recess 227 on the heddle carrying rod 216 can in this case advantageously be utilized for mounting the heddles, not illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0043]Fig. 9 shows a sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the narrow side of the heddle carrying rod 216 according to Fig. 8. It is, of

course, conceivable to shape the projections 222 with extensions correspondingly to the projections of the second exemplary embodiment.

[0044]Fig. 10 shows a heddle carrying rod 316 for use with a frame part, not illustrated, in a fourth exemplary embodiment of a heddle frame according to the invention. The heddle carrying rod 316 likewise has a groove-shaped recess 327 which is shaped between two ends 324, 325 having a greater material thickness. In this case, projections 322 are shaped in one of the ends 324, 325 having a greater material thickness and are located on the same side of the heddle carrying rod 316 as the groove-shaped recess 327. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, in this case, six projections 322 are shaped in the end 325 which adjoins the groove-shaped recess 327 at the bottom. It is also conceivable, of course, to provide a number of projections 322 which is different from this. No projections 322 are formed on a middle region A of the heddle carrying rod 316, as seen in the transverse direction, where a high flex- ural stress is to be expected on this middle region when the heddle frame is in use.

[0045]Fig. 11 shows a sectional side view of the heddle carrying rod 316 which is arranged on a flange 314 of a frame part, not illustrated in any more detail, and into which a heddle 3 is suspended. As can be seen in Fig. 11 , the flange 314 has a T-shaped cross section with a foot 140 in which a longitudinal groove 318 is shaped.

[0046]The projection 322 of the heddle carrying rod 316 is inserted into the longitudinal groove 318. The longitudinal groove 318 may additionally be filled with adhesive, not illustrated. The projections 322 illustrated have substantially parallel side edges and have approximately the same height as the longitudinal groove 318. It is also conceivable, however, to shape the projections 322 with extensions. The groove-shaped recess

327 provides a profiling into which a heddle 3 can be inserted with a J- shaped guide element 33.

[0047]Fig. 12 shows a sectional side view of a heddle carrying rod 416, a variant of the heddle carrying rod 316 according to Fig. 10 and 11 , which is arranged on a flange 414 of a frame part, not illustrated in any more detail, and into which a heddle 3 is suspended around the end 424. As can be seen in Fig. 12, the flange 414 also has a T-shaped cross section with a foot 440 in which a longitudinal groove 418 is shaped. A projection 424, illustrated in Fig. 12, of the heddle carrying rod 416 can be arranged on the longitudinal groove 418. The longitudinal groove 418 may additionally be filled with adhesive, not illustrated.

[0048]The heddle carrying rods 16, 116, 216, 316, 416, 17, 117 are preferably adhesively bonded over their entire width to the frame parts 10, 14, 214, 314, 414, 11 , 15, so that an adhesive bond is obtained over all the regions A, B and C. The projections are not only advantageous for providing a good connection, but, above all, are advantageous for making it possible to position the heddle carrying rod exactly with respect to the frame parts, before the heddle carrying rods are connected to the frames, in particular glued to one another.

[0049]For example, the regions B and C in which projections are present have a width which is approximately between 10% and 30% of the width of the heddle carrying rods. This ratio is, for example, advantageous in the case of heddle frames having a width of approximately 190 cm. Good results can be achieved in the case of heddle frames with a width of between 190 cm and 400 cm, where regions B and C with a width of between approximately 20 cm and 50 cm are being selected. This width of the regions is sufficiently large to position the heddle carrying rods exactly with respect to the frame parts and sufficiently small to avoid weakening due to the projections.

[0050]The frame parts 10, 11 and the flanges 14, 15, 114, 214, 314, 414 are, for example, extruded profiles consisting of aluminium or of an aluminium alloy. Manufacture from aluminium makes it possible to have a configuration of the frame part with low weight. In another embodiment, the frame parts 10, 11 are made from fibre-reinforced plastic, in particular from plastic reinforced with glass fibres, carbon fibres or Kevlar fibres. The heddle carrying rods 16, 17, 1 16, 117, 216, 316, 416 are preferably steel profiles, in particular extruded steel profiles. It is conceivable, however, likewise to produce the heddle carrying rods with their projections from fibre-reinforced plastic.

[0051]ln this case, the projections may be shaped out during the production of the heddle carrying rods, for example by the heddle carrying rod being deformed before the fibre-reinforced plastic has cured. After the curing of this plastic, a heddle carrying rod with projections having a configuration similar to the heddle carrying rods according to Fig. 1 to 11 is obtained. Such a heddle carrying rod consisting of synthetic material may, for example, also be provided with a wear-resistant layer in the vicinity of its ends which cooperate with the heddles.

[0052]ln the embodiments illustrated, all the projections 22, 122, 222, 322, 422 are designed in the form of continuous tabs. This makes it possible to insert the projections into the longitudinal grooves in a simple way. It is also conceivable, however, to shape on the heddle carrying rods tabs which are interrupted or open in the longitudinal direction.

[0053]ln a further embodiment of the heddle frame, the heddle carrying rod and the frame part are riveted and/or screwed together in regions without plastic deformation. Riveting and/or screwing makes it possible to secure a connection even further. Riveting or screwing is in this case possible in such a way that a flexural stiffness of the heddle carrying rod is not or is only insignificantly impaired as a result. In other refinements,

however, this additional connection is dispensed with, in order thereby to add no additional weight to the heddle frame due to the connection.