WITH YARN GUIDE MEANS

The present invention relates to a yarn storage device for a textile machine, comprising a carrying structure, a number of holders for holding respective yam stores and a number of yarn guide tubes, which are connected to the carrying structure, for guiding a respective yarn between a yam store and the textile machine, wherein each yarn guide tube comprises an end part with an inlet opening for the yam.

The present invention relates in particular to a bobbin creel for a textile machine. Such a bobbin creel is for example provided so as to hold cylindrical or conical bobbins in an unwinding position and so as to unwind the textile yarn from each bobbin and pass it to a textile machine. The present invention also relates to a combination of such a bobbin creel and an associated textile machine. The textile yarns are guided from the respective bobbins in the bobbin creel to a textile machine in order to use said yarns during a yarn take-up or yam incorporation process. For example, the textile machine is a weaving machine on which a weaving process is carried out. Such a bobbin creel often comprises large numbers of bobbin holders. It is for example perfectly common to have more than ten thousand bobbin holders on which respective bobbins are placed. The textile yarns are for example warp yarns which are incorporated into a fabric which is produced during the weaving process or pile warp yarns which are taken up in a fabric. As the yarn take-up process progresses, the required textile yarn is systematically unwound from the bobbins while the tension of the textile yam is controlled.

In order to prevent these large numbers of textile yams from hindering one another during their displacement from the bobbin through the yarn storage device or coming into contact with one other or with other components of the yarn storage device, it is known for each yarn to be guided separately to the textile machine via a yarn guide tube.

Such yarn guide tubes are usually designed as flexible cylindrical tubes composed of plastic. In order to hold the large numbers of yarn guide tubes together, these are held together for example by means of plastics binding straps and fastened in bundles to the carrying structure of the yarn storage device. This yarn guide is not very clear and placing it is onerous and time-consuming. It has also been found that the yarn guide tubes exhibit wear fairly quickly due to the friction of the yarn against the edges of the tubes at the inlet opening, which can cause jamming and damage to the yarn. To remedy this, it is known to provide a ring composed of a wear-resistant plastics material at the inlet of the yam guide tubes. Such a ring is for example described in patent publication WO 00/27 532 Al (figure 2, reference 66). Fastening wear-resistant rings to the large numbers of yarn guide tubes makes the placing of these known yarn guides even more onerous and time-consuming.

The aim of the present invention is to remedy these disadvantages by providing a yarn storage device having a yarn guide device for guiding a large number of textile yarns in an unobstructed manner in an arrangement which is orderly and clear, which can be implemented using simple means and which can also be placed relatively quickly.

These objects are achieved by providing a yam storage device having the features mentioned in the first paragraph of the present description and comprising one or more groups of at least two yarn guide tubes, said end parts of which with an inlet opening are retained together in a fastening element which is connected to the carrying structure, wherein each fastening element comprises at least two yam passages and is provided so as to retain the end parts of the yarn guide tubes of a group or of a subgroup together in a position in which the inlet opening of each yam guide tube is located opposite a respective yam passage of the fastening element.

Due to the fact that the yarn guide tubes are retained by way of their end parts in the fastening elements, the inlet openings of the tubes are in this case held at a fixed location in the yarn storage device. During fastening of the various fastening elements, the location of the inlet opening of each tube can be selected such that a textile yarn can extend along an ideal path from a yarn store into the yam guide tube. The fastening elements may first be connected to the carrying structure at the desired locations, and the yam guide tubes may then be brought, at least by two, into cooperation with the fastening elements.

This ensures a very clear construction of the yarn guide device. The yarn guide device can also be constructed quickly in this way. For connecting the fastening elements to the carrying structure, provision is preferably made of first coupling means on the carrying structure and second coupling means on the carrying structure, wherein the first and second coupling means can be coupled to one another and can preferably also be uncoupled again.

Preferably, a group of at least two or at least four yarn guide tubes is retained per fastening element. Two or more yarn guide tubes of the same group may be connected to one another at one or more locations or may be connected to one another over a portion of their length or over their entire length, with the result that not all the yarn guide tubes of a group have to be retained in the fastening element in order to retain the whole group with respect to the fastening element. For retaining the yam guide tubes, each fastening element is preferably provided with clamping means which can be displaced with respect to one another between a closed position for retaining at least one yarn guide tube of a group by clamping between the clamping means, and an open position in which yarn guide tubes located between the clamping means are not retained.

Preferably, the fastening element comprises closing means which can be brought into a connected state in order to hold the clamping means in the closed position and can be brought into a released state in order to be able to bring the clamping means back into the open position. The closing means are preferably designed in such a way that the connection and/or release thereof can be carried out manually, preferably without the use of a tool. Preferably, the closing means are provided so as to be connected to one another by a click-fit connection.

An additional advantage is that the fastening elements and the yarn guide tubes retained thereby are fastened at a fixed height such that at least a number of the top sides thereof can function as a carrying surface for other components of the yarn storage device. Preferably, at least a number of said top sides function as carrying surface for other groups of guide tubes. This ensures an even greater degree of order and clarity of the numerous yarn guide tubes in the yam storage device.

Said yarn storage device is preferably a bobbin creel. Said textile machine is preferably a weaving machine. The carrying structure of the yarn storage device is preferably composed of elongate profiles and/or bars which are connected to one another to form a substantially open structure.

In this way, a textile yarn which extends from a yam store via a yam passage of the fastening element into a yam guide tube will no longer come into contact with the edges of the yarn guide tube which are located around the inlet opening. The yarn passage in the fastening element now functions as inlet opening for the textile yam and this textile yarn will therefore rather come into contact with the edges of these yarn passages instead. The plastic which bounds the yarn passages of the fastening element can be implemented in a plastic which has sufficient wear resistance. In this way, it is no longer necessary for wear-resistant rings to be attached to the inlet opening of the yam guide tubes.

The plastic used is preferably polyoxymethylene (abbreviated as POM) or polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abbreviated as ABS). When the yarn enters the yarn passages in a virtually tensionless state, these plastics are sufficiently wear-resistant for most applications. However, the selection of the most suitable plastic will in each case be made by those skilled in the art depending on the desired wear resistance, taking account of the material from which the textile yarn is manufactured and in particular the yam tension of the textile yam at the location where it may possibly come into contact with the edges which bound the yam passages of the fastening elements.

Preferably, each fastening element comprises a passage wall in which said yarn passages are provided. This passage wall extends along a plane which is virtually transverse to the direction in which the axes of end parts of the yam guide tubes extend when they are retained by the fastening element, and has an inlet side and an outlet side. The end parts of the yarn guide tubes are retained on the outlet side of the passage wall in a position in which their inlet opening is located opposite a respective yarn passage in the passage wall. The yarn guide tubes preferably abut against the surface of the passage wall on the outlet side or are located very close to this surface.

Each textile yarn runs from a respective yarn store from which it is taken off - preferably unwound (preferably in “defile” - over the head of a bobbin) - to a fastening element which faces towards the yarn supply by way of the inlet side of the passage wall, and runs via an inlet opening into a respective yarn guide tube. In this yarn guide tube, the textile yam runs to the textile machine.

In this case, the yarn passage of a fastening element forms an inlet opening for a yarn unwound from a bobbin. Each fastening element is thus placed in such a way that each yarn passage for a yarn, with respect to the associated bobbin from which the yam is unwound, is unwound (in “defile”) over the head side of the bobbin under the influence of a tensile force exerted on the yarn, without the bobbin rotating in the process. In this case, the yam passage for a yam ideally lies on a line which is virtually in the extension of the axis of the bobbin holder.

The fastening element comprises, on the inlet side, at least one separating wall in order for two yarns which run from their respective yam store to adjacent yarn passages of the same fastening element to be held separate from one another over part of their path. Each separating wall preferably abuts against the passage wall, between two adjacent yarn passages, such that two yams which run to adjacent yam passages of a fastening element are separated from one another over the last part of their path towards the fastening element. The fastening element preferably comprises such a separating wall between every two adjacent yam passages.

In a particularly preferred yarn storage device, the latter comprises a first group and a second group of yam guide tubes, the end parts of which are retained in a first fastening element and, respectively, in a second fastening element and which run from their respective fastening element to the textile machine, the first and the second fastening element are connected to the carrying structure, the yam guide tubes of the first group and the yam guide tubes of the second group converge over at least part of their length through the yarn storage device, wherein the yarn guide tubes of the second group are carried by the first fastening element and/or by the yarn guide tubes of the first group.

The first fastening element and/or the groups of yam guide tubes retained thereby thus function as carrying surfaces for the yam guide tubes of the second group. This increases the speed of construction and ensures a very clear and orderly construction of the yarn guide device. The second group of yam guide tubes preferably lies on the first fastening element and/or on the yarn guide tubes of the first group.

The first and the second fastening element are preferably also connected to the carrying structure at locations which are spaced apart from one another in a horizontal direction. In this case, the first fastening element preferably retains at least two yarn guide tubes which are provided so as to guide respective yams which are unwound from respective first bobbins, while the second fastening element retains at least two yarn guide tubes which are provided so as to guide respective yams which are unwound from respective second bobbins, wherein the first and the second bobbins are placed on holders which are also provided in the carrying structure spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction.

Preferably, the first and the second fastening element are respectively spaced apart from the textile machine at a first distance and at a second distance, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

The yam guide tubes of the second group preferably run from the second fastening element to the first fastening element and preferably also lie on the first fastening element and furthermore also on the yarn guide tubes of the first group. The first and the second fastening element are preferably connected to the carrying structure at approximately the same height, such that the yarn guide tubes of the second group extend virtually horizontally between the second fastening element and the first fastening element. The yarn guide tubes of the first group preferably also extend in a virtually horizontal direction. The yarn guide tubes of the second group preferably lie on the yarn guide tubes of the first group.

The expressions ‘first fastening element’ and ‘second fastening element’ do not mean that ‘successive’ fastening elements are necessarily concerned. These expressions only indicate that there are various fastening elements, and do not rule out that one or more other fastening elements are also provided between the first and the second fastening element and connected to the carrying structure. In a preferred arrangement comprising a yarn storage device according to the invention provided with yam stores, a textile machine and yarns which are guided via respective yam guide tubes from a respective yam store to the textile machine, the first fastening element is fastened closer to the weaving machine than the second fastening element, the first fastening element retains yarn guide tubes which are provided so as to guide yams which are unwound from first bobbins, the second fastening element retains yarn guide tubes which are provided so as to guide yarns which are unwound from second bobbins, and the first bobbins are placed on holders which are provided in the carrying structure closer to the weaving machine than the holders on which the second bobbins are placed.

A particular yam storage device comprises a first group of yarn guide tubes comprising at least two first subgroups of at least two yam guide tubes, the end parts of which are retained in respective first fastening elements, and a second group of yarn guide tubes comprising at least two second subgroups of at least two yarn guide tubes, the end parts of which are retained in respective second fastening elements, wherein the yarn guide tubes run from their respective fastening element to the textile machine, the first and the second fastening elements are connected to the carrying structure, and the yarn guide tubes of the first subgroups and the yarn guide tubes of the second subgroups converge over at least part of their length through the yarn storage device, wherein the yam guide tubes of the second subgroups are carried by the first fastening element and/or by yarn guide tubes of the first subgroups.

The first and the second fastening elements are preferably connected to the carrying structure spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction.

The first fastening elements are preferably located closer to the textile machine than the second fastening elements. The various first fastening elements are preferably also spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction. The various second fastening elements are preferably also spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction.

In another very preferred embodiment, the yam storage device comprises a first and a second group of yam guide tubes, the end parts of which are retained in a first fastening element and, respectively, in a second fastening element and which run from their respective fastening element to the textile machine, the first and the second fastening element are connected to the carrying structure, the yam guide tubes of the first group and the yam guide tubes of the second group converge over at least part of their length through the yarn storage device, wherein the yarn guide tubes of the second group are carried by the first fastening element and/or by the yam guide tubes of the first group, and the yarn storage device also comprises a third group of yarn guide tubes, the end parts of which are retained in a third fastening element, the first fastening element, the second fastening element and the third fastening element, spaced apart from one another in this order in the horizontal direction, are connected to the carrying structure, wherein the yarn guide tubes of the third group lie over at least part of their length on the yarn guide tubes of the second group.

The second group of yam guide tubes thus also functions as carrying surface for the third group of yam guide tubes. Thus, the third group of yarn guide tubes may also form a carrying surface for a fourth group of yarn guide tubes, etc. It is thus possible for at least five or at least ten or at least fifteen or even at least twenty groups of yarn guide tubes to be stacked on top of one another.

The expressions ‘second fastening element’ and ‘third fastening element’ also do not mean that ‘successive’ fastening elements are necessarily concerned. These expressions also only indicate that there are various fastening elements, and do not rule out that one or more other fastening elements are also provided between the second and the third fastening element and connected to the carrying structure.

The third group of yam guide tubes preferably lies on the second group of yam guide tubes.

If fourth, fifth, sixth, .... K-th groups of yarn guide tubes are also provided, associated with a fourth, fifth, sixth, .... K-th fastening element, respectively, the fastening elements being spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction, the distance between the textile machine and the fastening elements increases as their rank (4, 5, 6, ....K) increases, and the fourth, fifth, sixth, .... K-th groups of yam guide tubes each lie on the yam guide tubes of the group with the immediately lower rank (3, 4, 5, K-l). Analogously to the first, second and third fastening elements, the fourth, fifth, sixth, .... K-th fastening elements are also not necessarily successive fastening elements. Stacks of 4, 5, 6, . . .K groups of yarn guide tubes lying on top of one another are thus formed.

In a preferred yarn storage device, first and second, and preferably also third (and possibly more) fastening elements are connected at two or more different levels to the carrying structure at horizontal intermediate distances apart, and the respective associated first, second, and preferably also third (and possibly more) groups of yarn guide tubes are stacked in the same way. It is thus possible to form stacks of yam guide tubes at different levels on the carrying structure and to thus receive a large number of yarn guide tubes in a very orderly manner in a yarn storage device.

In one arrangement which comprises a yarn storage device and a textile machine, the second and the third fastening element are respectively spaced apart from the textile machine at a second distance and at a third distance, wherein the third distance is greater than the second distance. The fastening element with a given rank is always further away from the textile machine than the fastening element with the immediately lower rank.

A particular yam storage device comprises a first group of yarn guide tubes comprising at least two first subgroups of at least two yam guide tubes, the end parts of which are retained in respective first fastening elements, a second group of yarn guide tubes comprising at least two second subgroups of at least two yarn guide tubes, the end parts of which are retained in respective second fastening elements, and a third group of yarn guide tubes comprising at least two third subgroups of at least two yam guide tubes, the end parts of which are retained in respective third fastening elements, wherein the yam guide tubes run from their respective fastening element to the textile machine, the first and the second and the third fastening elements are connected to the carrying structure, and the yarn guide tubes of the first subgroups and the yarn guide tubes of the second subgroups and the yarn guide tubes of the third subgroups converge over at least part of their length through the yarn storage device, wherein the yarn guide tubes of the second subgroups are carried by the first fastening element and/or by yam guide tubes of the first subgroups, and wherein the yam guide tubes of the third subgroups lie over at least part of their length on the yam guide tubes of the second subgroups.

The first fastening elements are preferably located closer to the textile machine than the second fastening elements. The second fastening elements are preferably located closer to the textile machine than the third fastening elements. The various third fastening elements are preferably also spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction.

The fastening elements are preferably fastened to the carrying structure of the yarn storage device at such a location that they are located close to a respective yarn store.

In a very preferred embodiment of the yam storage device, each fastening element comprises two mutually displaceable clamping means which are connected to one another and which can be placed in a closed position and in an open position in order to retain or, respectively, release a group of yam guide tubes, at least one of the clamping means comprises a projection, and at least one end part of a group of yarn guide tubes is retained between the clamping means, placed in the closed position, by virtue of the projection pressing against a wall of the yarn guide tube and exerting a retaining force thereon.

Preferably, the clamping means comprise two or more projections. In a preferred embodiment, the clamping means and each projection are provided in such a way that the wall of the yarn guide tube is locally deformed, and not pierced, by the projection. In this case, the projection preferably does not penetrate into the material of the tube. The projection preferably causes only a deformation or a local depression of the surface. The projection may, however, penetrate into the wall a little, but this is certainly without piercing the wall completely, and thus over a distance which is smaller than the wall thickness of the yarn guide tube. This is because burrs or edges or other obstacles that could obstruct the passage of the yam must not be formed in the interior space of the yarn guide tubes. The inner walls of the tubes must remain smooth and uninterrupted. In another embodiment, each fastening element comprises a base part and a hinge part which is pivotably connected to the base part, the base part comprises a receiving space in which the end parts of the yam guide tubes of a group or of a subgroup are received, the hinge part and the base part comprise releasable closing means in order to hold the base part and the hinge part in the closed position, and the base part and/or the hinge part comprise at least one projection on the side facing towards the yarn guide tubes.

Each fastening element is preferably also provided with a first coupling means, while the carrying structure comprises a plurality of second coupling means at different locations, said second coupling means being provided so as to be coupled to said first coupling means, each fastening element is connected to the carrying structure by coupling of the first coupling means of the fastening element to a second coupling means of the carrying structure, and the coupling is a click-fit connection which is established by a click-fit element which is provided on the first or the second coupling means elastically deforming and then springing back. In this way, the fastening elements can be fastened to the carrying structure very quickly.

Preferably, the carrying structure consists of vertical and horizontal profiles (preferably DIN rails) having openings at regular intermediate distances. The first coupling means is, for example, a deformable lip which is provided on the fastening element, and the second coupling means is preferably an opening in a profile of the carrying structure. Preferably, the carrying structure comprises a number of openings at different locations such that the fastening elements can be fastened to the carrying structure at a multiplicity of different locations.

Said carrying structure is preferably a bobbin creel or a part of a bobbin creel. In particular, it is (a part of) a bobbin creel for a weaving machine, and the bobbin creel preferably comprises a series of holders for holding cylindrical or conical bobbins in an unwinding position, wherein each bobbin is provided so as to unwind (in “defile”) the textile yam over the head side of the bobbin without rotating the bobbin.

The carrying structure then for example comprises two opposite flanks which extend in the longitudinal direction thereof, and two groups of bobbin holders which are respectively provided on the one and the other flank and which are placed above and next to one another, and distributed over the flank, in such a way that they are accessible from that side of the bobbin creel which is situated along this flank in order for respective bobbins to be placed thereon or removed therefrom, and said groups of yarn guide tubes extend in the carrying structure in said longitudinal direction between the two groups of bobbin holders.

In a very advantageous embodiment, the yarn storage device comprises at least one yam passage unit, wherein each yarn passage unit comprises a group of fastening elements, the respective yam passages of which are located next to and above one another so as to allow a respective yam to pass through in a common passage direction, and, on the one side of the yarn passage unit, each fastening element retains the end parts of a group or a subgroup of yam guide tubes such that the outlet opening of each yam guide tube is located opposite a respective yam passage of the fastening element, in order to bring the yams guided by the yarn guide tubes to the other side of the yarn passage unit via a respective yarn passage.

In this case, the fastening elements of each yarn passage unit are for example arranged in such a way that the yam passages, as seen in a transverse plane with respect to the passage direction, form a plurality of horizontal rows running below one another.

Preferably, the fastening elements are received in a substantially rectangular or square holder or carrier, wherein they form a kind of grid with a number of rows of a number of passage openings, said rows being placed below one another. Each yarn passage unit is, for example, also fastened to the carrying structure.

In a preferred embodiment, the yarn storage device comprises two yarn passage units which are provided at an intermediate distance opposite to one another.

In the space between the two yarn passage units, the textile yams are not located in yarn guide tubes. This intermediate space is preferably located between the yam stores and the textile machine. Yarn changes can be carried out in this intermediate space by cutting a first textile yam with a first appearance and connecting the end of that portion of the first textile yam which runs to the textile machine to the end of a second textile yam with a second appearance, which is connected to a yarn store. The two ends are preferably connected by knots and the intermediate space between the two yarn passage units is referred to as an over-knot zone.

If, for example, a weaving machine weaves with eight different colors, while the associated bobbin creel has textile yams of ten different colors, a textile yam of a first color can be cut in the space between the two yam passage units and that end of the textile yarn of the first color which runs to the weaving machine can be connected, in this intermediate space, to the end of a textile yam of a second color which extends from the yarn store via a yarn guide tube into the intermediate space. In this way, it is possible to switch very quickly to a weaving process in which one of the colors is replaced by another colour. The textile yarns of different colors must only be overknotted in the over-knot zone. The preparation in the bobbin creel need not be carried out while the machine is at a standstill, but can be carried out in advance.

Fastening elements which are provided so as to retain four yarn guide tubes are preferably used in a yam passage unit.

A respective device for increasing the yarn tension is preferably also provided opposite at least a number of the yarn passages of at least one yarn passage unit, wherein each device for increasing the yarn tension is provided so as to exert a force having a force component transverse to the passage direction of the yam on a yam extending through the associated yam passage, in order to increase the tension of the yarn. Preferably, the yam passage unit comprises a number of fastening elements which comprise, opposite each passage of the fastening element, a respective device for increasing the yarn tension.

Preferably, said force is variable. For example, the force may be variable in a continuous or stepwise manner. The device for increasing the yarn tension is preferably provided so as to passively increase the yam tension by a certain settable value, no account being taken of the current yam tension.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, each device for increasing the yarn tension comprises at least one weight element, each fastening element comprises per yarn passage a holder for holding one or more weight elements, the holder is provided such that a weight element placed in the holder rests on a yarn extending through the associated yarn passage and exerts a force thereon having a force component virtually transverse to the passage direction of the yarn.

Each fastening element preferably comprises a housing provided with a holding space in which at least one, preferably a plurality of weight elements can be placed above one another. The weight element - the lowest weight element if a plurality are placed above one another in the holding space - then lies on the textile yarn exiting the associated yam passage or extending towards the yarn passage. The mass of the one or more weight elements results in a gravitational force which produces a small tension in the textile yarn.

Each holding space is preferably bounded by a wall composed of a translucent material such that through the wall it is possible to see how many weight elements are located in the holding space, with the result that it is possible to make a quick estimate of the magnitude of the yarn tension produced thereby.

In an embodiment having two yarn passage units which are placed at an intermediate distance opposite to one another, each yarn passage unit preferably has a device for increasing the yarn tension, and each yam passage unit preferably comprises, for each yam passage, a respective holding space for holding one or more weight elements which is provided such that a weight element placed in the holder rests on a yarn extending through the associated yarn passage and exerts a force thereon having a force component virtually transverse to the passage direction of the yarn.

The holding spaces are preferably located on the facing sides of the two yarn passage units. The holding spaces preferably form part of the fastening elements.

The weight elements preferably have a cylindrical shape. When the textile yarn is displaced, the weight element resting on the textile yarn rotates about its own axis while located in the holding space in contact with the textile yam. Due to the rotating movement of the weight, the textile yam is not damaged and the textile yam encounters no resistance that could make displacement thereof difficult. The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of the following more detailed description of a possible embodiment of a yam guide device according to the present invention.

Reference numerals are used in this detailed description to refer to the attached figures, in which:

• Figures 1 to 4 show a fastening element of a bobbin creel for a weaving machine according to the present invention, in the form of a clamping piece of a first type, while the clamping piece is clamping two yam guide tubes, wherein

O Figure l is a perspective view from the rear side thereof,

O Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front side thereof,

O Figure 3 is a vertical cross section while the clamping piece is located in the open position and not clamping the yarn guide tubes,

O Figure 4 is a vertical cross section while the clamping piece is located in the closed position and clamping the yam guide tubes,

• Figures 5 and 6 show two different perspective views of another fastening element of a bobbin creel according to the present invention, in the form of a clamping piece of a second type, while the clamping piece is clamping four yarn guide tubes,

• Figure 7 is a perspective drawing of part of a carrying structure of a bobbin creel in which a plurality of groups of stacked yarn guide tubes are carried by a lower group of yarn guide tubes which is fastened to the carrying structure via clamping pieces,

• Figure 8 illustrates a part of the carrying structure shown in Figure 7 in enlarged form, • Figure 9 shows a side view of part of a carrying structure of a bobbin creel in which a plurality of groups of stacked yarn guide tubes are carried by a lower group of yarn guide tubes which is fastened to the carrying structure via clamping pieces, and

• Figure 10 shows a yam passage unit comprising an assembly of a number of clamping pieces of the second type in a plurality of rows provided above one another.

In a preferred embodiment of a bobbin creel for a weaving machine according to the present invention (see Figures 7, 8 and 9), the bobbin creel comprises a number of carrying structures (1) which are placed with intermediate spaces next to one another and only one of which is illustrated in the figures.

Each carrying structure (1) is composed of horizontal (la) and vertical bars (lb) which are connected to one another to form an open structure which occupies a substantially beam-shaped space having a longitudinal direction (L) and a vertical centre plane which extends along this longitudinal direction (L) in the centre of the substantially beam-shaped space. The carrying structure (1) comprises two virtually parallel flanks which also extend in the longitudinal direction (L). On each flank, a plurality of vertical bars (lb) are provided next to one another at identical intermediate distances, distributed over the length of the carrying structure (1). On each flank, a plurality of bobbin holders (2) are fastened to each vertical bar (lb) at an intermediate distance above one another. Each bobbin holder (2) is fastened to a vertical bar (lb) of the carrying structure (1) in such a way that it is rotatable about the axis of the vertical bar (lb). In this way, each bobbin holder (2) can be rotated from a working position

- that is to say a position in which a bobbin placed on the bobbin holder (2) is located in an unwinding position, substantially within the space of the carrying structure (1)

- to a non-working position - that is to say a position in which the bobbin holder (2) is located at least partially outside the space of the carrying structure (1). When a bobbin holder (2) is placed in the non-working position, an operator can easily remove an empty bobbin from the bobbin holder (2) and/or place a full bobbin on the empty bobbin holder (2) (no bobbins are illustrated in the figures). Due to the fact that the bobbin holders (2) are distributed over the two flanks of the carrying structure (1) and per flank are also distributed over a number of vertical rows at mutual horizontal intermediate distances, an operator can easily access each bobbin holder (2) from one of the two flanks.

In addition, the carrying structure (1) also comprises a plurality of pairs of a first (1c) and a second vertical DIN rail (Id) which are arranged in the space of the carrying structure (1) in such a way that the axes (XI) of the first DIN rails (1c) extend in a first vertical plane (VI) which extends in the longitudinal direction (L) of the carrying structure (1), and the axes (X2) of the second DIN rails (Id) extend in a second vertical plane (V2) which extends in the longitudinal direction (L) of the carrying structure (1), wherein the first and the second vertical plane are located approximately symmetrically on both sides of the vertical centre plane of the carrying structure (1). The axes (XI), (X2) of two DIN rails (1c), (Id) of a pair are in each case located next to one another in a virtually vertical plane which is virtually perpendicular to said vertical planes (VI), (V2).

For each bobbin holder (2), an associated yarn guide tube for guiding the yarn which will be unwound from the bobbin placed on this bobbin holder (2) during the weaving process is provided in the carrying structure (1). The yam guide tubes, also referred to as yam tubes below, are fastened in twos to the carrying structure (1) by means of a clamping piece (10)-(l 6) of the first type (see Figures 1-4), wherein each clamping piece is fastened between two vertical DIN rails (1c), (Id) of a pair.

The yarn guide tubes are connected to one another in groups of four (Figures 8 and 9) or in groups of two (Figures 1-4) because they run next to one another abutting against one another by way of their outer walls and form a contact line (w) while their outer walls are connected to one another along this contact line (w). The connection between the different yam tubes (3), (4) of a group can be broken relatively easily such that the yarn tubes of a group can be easily released from one another.

The features and particular details of the clamping pieces (10)-(16) of the first type will now first be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1-4. One clamping piece (10) and an associated group (G) of two yarn guide tubes (3), (4) with respective end parts (3a), (4a) and inlet openings (3b) are illustrated in these Figures 1-4 (in Figures 3 and 4, the inlet opening (3b) of only one yam tube (3) can be identified).

Each clamping piece (10)-(16) comprises a base part (A) consisting of a one-part plastics piece with outer walls which form a substantially cube-shaped element in which a receiving space for the end parts (3a), (4a) of two yarn tubes (3), (4) is provided. In one of the outer walls, referred to as a passage wall (20) in this patent application, two yam passages (dl), (d2) are provided next to one another. The passage wall (20) bounds the receiving space. When the yarn tubes (3), (4) have been brought into the receiving space in a clamping position by way of their end parts (3 a), (4a), the ends of the yam tubes (3), (4) are located virtually against the passage wall (20) while their inlet openings (3b), (4b) are located opposite a respective yam passage (dl), (d2) in the passage wall (20).

The base part (A) comprises, on the outer side of the passage wall (20), a separating wall (21) in order for two yarns which extend through the yarn passages (dl), (d2) to be held separate from one another over the last part of their path, just before they have reached the yam passages. The separating wall (21) abuts against the passage wall (20) between the two yarn passages (dl), (d2).

Provided on the flanks of the base part (A) are elastically deformable lips (22) which can be click- fitted into respective opposite openings of two DIN rails of a pair of DIN rails (1c), (Id). In this way, the clamping pieces (10)-(16) can be fastened to the carrying structure (1), between two DIN rails of a pair (1c), (Id), very easily and rapidly, and released again.

Each clamping piece ( 10)-(l 6) of the first type also comprises a hinge part (B) which is pivotably connected to the base part (A) and which can pivot between an open position and a closed position in order to clamp the yam tubes (3), (4) placed in the receiving space. On the side facing towards the yarn tubes (3), (4), the hinge part (B) comprises two projections (Pl), (P2) which are provided so as to produce a small local depression or deformation in the wall of a respective yam tube (3), (4) when the clamping part (B) is in the closed position. In Figure 4, the deformation of the wall of the yam tube (3) is depicted in exaggerated form for the sake of clarity. The dimensions of this depicted deformation in relation to, for example, the diameter of the yarn tube (3) must therefore not be regarded as representative of the actual and often much smaller deformations which are produced with a clamping piece according to the present invention. The clamping piece (10)-( 16) can be held in the closed position by means of closing means. The closing means can also be uncoupled in order to release the yarn tubes from the clamping piece again. The depression or deformation produced by the two projections (Pl), (P2) in the closed position of the clamping part (B) is thus such that the walls of the yam tubes are not pierced and that in any case no irregularities or burrs or edges are formed on the inner wall of the yarn tubes. The inner walls of the tubes must remain smooth and uninterrupted.

The carrying structure (1) illustrated in Figure 9 comprises a first group (Gl), a second group (G2) and a third group (G3) of four interconnected yarn guide tubes. These groups (G1)-(G3) are stacked on top of one another in the carrying structure (1). The four yarn tubes of each group (G1)-(G3) are split into a first subgroup (Gia), (G2a), (G3a) and a second subgroup (Gib), (G2b), (G3b), wherein each of the six subgroups thus obtained are connected to the carrying structure (1) by means of a respective clamping piece (11 )-(l 6) of the first type. The yarn tubes of the two subgroups (Gia), (Gib) which form the first group (Gl) are retained by a first clamping piece (11) and a second clamping piece (12), respectively, and form a lower carrying surface. The yarn tubes of the two subgroups (G2a), (G2b) which form the second group (G2) are retained by a third clamping piece (13) and a fourth clamping piece (14), respectively, and lie on the yam tubes of the first group (Gl). The yarn tubes of the two subgroups (G3a), (G3b) which form the third group (G3) are retained by a fifth clamping piece (15) and a sixth clamping piece (16), respectively, and lie on the yarn tubes of the second group (G2).

Each clamping piece is fastened between the two DIN rails (1c), (Id) of a respective successive pair of DIN rails (1c), (Id) which form part of the carrying structure (1). The two yarn guide tubes of each group (Gia), (Gib), (G2a), (G2b), (G3a), (G3b) are provided for guiding the respective yarns which are unwound from the respective bobbins on the bobbin holders (2) that, in Figure 9, are located immediately to the right of the clamping piece (11)— (16) associated with the group. All the clamping pieces (11)-(16) are in each case fastened to the DIN rails (1c), (Id) at virtually the same height. In this way, the numerous yam tubes are received in the carrying structure (1) in a well-ordered and clear manner.

Figure 8 illustrates a similar arrangement in enlarged form, wherein a plurality of groups (Gl), (G2), (G3), ... of four interconnected yarn tubes are stacked on top of one another in the intermediate space between the pairs of DIN rails (1c), (Id), and wherein each group (Gl) of four yam tubes is split into two such that a first subgroup (Gia) and a second subgroup (Gib) of two yarn tubes are obtained, wherein the two subgroups (Gia), (Gib) which together form a group are in each case connected separately to the carrying structure (1) by means of a respective clamping piece (11), (12) of the first type. These clamping pieces (11), (12) are arranged in such a way that the yarn tubes of the subgroups retained by said clamping pieces are provided so as to guide yarns from bobbins of different vertical rows of the bobbin creel.

Figure 10 illustrates a yarn passage unit (40) consisting of a carrier (41) with receiving openings for clamping pieces (30) of a second type, one of which is illustrated separately in Figures 5 and 6. Receiving openings for a total of eight horizontal rows of ten clamping pieces (30) are provided in the frame (41). The yarn passage unit is provided so as to allow the yarns to pass in a common passage direction (T) via yarn passages of the fastening elements.

Each clamping piece (30) comprises (see Figures 5 and 6) a base part (C) embodied as a one-part plastics piece in which a receiving space is provided for retaining the end parts (5a)-(8a) of a group (H) of four yarn tubes (5)-(8). The base part (C) also comprises a passage wall which bounds the receiving space and in which four yarn passages are provided. The yam tubes of the group (H) are in each case also connected to one another abutting against one another.

When the yam tubes have been brought into the receiving space in a clamping position by way of their end parts (5a)-(8a), the ends of the yarn tubes (5)-(8) are located virtually against the passage wall while their inlet openings are located opposite a respective yarn passage. Each clamping piece (30) of the second type also comprises a hinge part (D) which is pivotably connected to the base part (C) and which can pivot between an open position and a closed position in order to clamp the yarn tubes (5)-(8) placed in the receiving space. On the side facing towards the yam tubes, the hinge part (D) comprises two projections (Pl), (P2) which are provided so as to produce a small local depression or deformation in the wall of a respective yarn tube (5), (8) when the clamping part (D) is in the closed position. The hinge part (D) can be held in the closed position by means of closing means. The closing means can also be uncoupled in order to release the yam tubes (5)-(8) from the clamping piece (30) again. The depression or deformation produced by the two projections (Pl), (P2) is thus also such that the walls of the yarn tubes (5)-(8) are not pierced and that in any case no irregularities or burrs or edges are formed on the inner wall of the yarn tubes, such that the inner walls of the tubes remain smooth and uninterrupted.

Such a yam passage unit (40) is fastened to the carrying structure (1) at the location where the yams exit the carrying structure (1) in order for these yarns to be displaced from the four yam passages of the various clamping pieces (30) further in the direction of the weaving machine. By placing two such yam passage units opposite to one other, with an intermediate space in which the yarns are not guided by yam tubes, an overknot zone is obtained in which yarn changes can easily be carried out.

The base part (C) of the clamping piece (30) comprises (see Figures 5 and 6) a passage wall (31) in which the four yam passages (not visible in the figures) are provided opposite the respective yarn tubes (5)-(8). On that side of the passage wall (31) which faces away from the yarn tubes (5)-(8), five vertical walls are provided which extend with mutual intermediate spaces transversely with respect to the plane of the passage wall and adjoin the passage wall. These vertical walls thus bound four holding spaces (32), (33), (34), (35), wherein a respective yarn passage opens out into each holding space. The yarns extending through the four yarn passages therefore run through a respective holding space (32), (33), (34), (35). The holding spaces (32), (33), (34), (35) are provided for placing one or more cylindrical weights therein. The weight - the lowest weight if a plurality are placed above one another in a holding space - then lies on the yarn and the mass of the weight or of the plurality of weights results in a gravitational force on the virtually horizontally running yarns, and this produces a tension in the yarn. When the yarn is displaced, the weight lying on the yam rotates about its own axis. This prevents damage to the yam and the yarn encounters hardly any resistance. The four holding spaces (32), (33), (34), (35) are bounded, opposite to the passage wall (31), by a wall composed of a translucent plastic (not illustrated in the figures) such that through this translucent wall it is possible to see how many weights are located in each holding space.