US2079836A - Braiding machine control - Google Patents

Description

May 11, 1937- L.. F. BROWN ET AL 2,079,836

BRAIDING MACHINE CONTROL i Filed March 411, 1936 3 Smets-sheet 1 BYC;

ATTORNEY May 11, 1937 y L. F. BROWN ET A1. 2,07-98 BRAIDING MACHINE CONTROL INVENTORS:

-UlwE/VCE E Bmw/f ATTORNEY Manyl 11, 1937. 1 F. BROWN ET AL 2,079,33

BRAIDING MACHINE CONTROL Filed March 11, 1956 s sheets-sheet s ullql] [l UU Llu l A.... A@

nllilmlllu-lllmw L.1 INVENTORS.' lc/ 6. LHWKE/fcE/-jsrawy BY 1F PHI/L Ham. L5M

Muw/A TTQRNEY Patented4 May` 11, 1937 PATENT @OFFICE ao'zasas nnlirnmdl MACHINE coN'rnoL Lawrence F. Brown and Paul A; Allen, Cortland. N. Y., assignors to Cortland Line Company, Inc., Cortland, N. Y., a corporation of New ,York

y Applicangmarcil 11,1936, sentono.68,166 u Our invention relates to improvementsln the art of braiding machinery and provides foremcient novel control appurtenances of a character that greatly "facilitates the economical vmanufacture of `taperedtlsh lines and the like braided cords on a rapid productive scale at theminimum of labor costs. C o 1 o The present innovations are primarily directed to the fabrication in one length `of fa, so-called doubletapered ilsh line. Such braided line product may"\\be provided with oppositely disposed, level `terminal regions of relativelyy small diametral size while an intermediate braided belly region, is gradually builtmup t0 a `considerably larger size.

While one ormore core strands may be utilized to kenlarge such belly, region, it is hereinV preferred to work Without resorttoysuch internal braid reenforcementin order to maintain a snugly braided `yet; soft and pliable fish line` that shall be intrinsically-free from faults when sub,- jected to arduous service. Inl such instance, the number' of incorporated line strands remains the same throughout the lengthl of a tapered line and .the linear'unit weight ofthe component bobbin threads isprogressivelychanged in stepwise fashion until ,the desired medial belly size hasbeen attained. Thereupon, the braiding process is reversed and steppeddown until the original terminal level size reached.k y i The fabrication `of such a tapered line usually involves careful and laborious supervision to insure the productionof a high .gradeproduct since the conventional Vbraiding machine needs to be stopped manually each time a comparatively short length of line has` been laid. Somev one of the plural carrier bobbins is then changed by the attendant to' allow of `tying in a somewhat heavier or lighter strand,l andthis operation must be successively repeated in rotation until all such bobbins have been changed to a different thread that shall be appropriate to make up the requiredrun of linesire.4 Without special equipment, such frequent stopping and starting of lthe .i braider calls Afor constant personal attendance and thus materially adds laborcharges over that needed `when braiding a uniformly level line.

Our improvements provide certain automatic means for cutting down on the need for such intrinsically high supervision f cost by allowing the operator to eiectively handle a much greater number of braiding machines without sacriilce in quality on part of theresulting taperedproduct. The pattern control means `herein provided, serves to positively stopthe machine after (ci. en -11) a denitely measured length component ortapered line has been braided and this in turn, gives a cue to the attendant calling for a. required bobbin thread change without depending upon the operators personal judgment. Consequently, the operator isnot obliged to keep a closewatch in order not to overrun the proper component "length of completed line.'

` Furthermore, when fabricating a taperedline without inserted core strands, the heft of' the `braided strand must be correspondingly enlarged at regular intervals to form a taperl of o predetermined maximum size. The-rotative'rate of the take-up draw spool or capstan governs the number of picks or pitch spacing between the laid braider strands. Hence when using a'ilxedrate of carrier travel,- the speed of the draw spool should be proportionately changed, otherwise the strands become too loosely or too tightlyfwbralded 'for an inherently pliable iish line that is intended to handle well when cast by an expert fisherman. 'I'he relative speed adjustments in takerllp Vrate on part of the draw spool has generally been accomplished by manually making the necessary 4-gear ratio change `in the drive mechanismto compensate for the required pick variation. Such. further supervision by,l the attendant is likely to render theoperators handsmdirty` and thereby .soll the finished braid. By virtue of our imu vproved braider accessories, the speed of the draw spool is gradually-rather than abruptly advanced or retardedwith respect to the carrier travel to suit requirements.` n l The object of our improvements is to overcome the cited manufacturing deficiencies 'so as to enhance the product uniformity'and otherwise reduce factorycosts as applied to high quality fish lines and analogous. plaited cords of the joharacter indicated.

Reference is had to the accompanying three sheets of drawings which are illustrative of a preferred assembly of ourinvention, and in which drawings: f

Fig. 1 represents a perspective front view of a conventional braider machine unit equipped with our improved devices, and Fig.`2 is an elevational side view thereof which reveals certain appurtenan'ces attached to such machine. Y o

. 1iig.`3 shows a plan view of our braider as seen from above along line 3--3 of Fig. 1, while Figs. 4 and 5 depict certain enlarged details associated therewith. o u

Fig. 6 illustrates in exaggerated diametral scale, one kind of tapered product or article winch our machine is intended to fabricate, and Fig. 7

This usually comprises a stationary transverse platen I0 having a pair of complementary sinuous grooves such as I`I cut therethrough to constitute an endless serpentine path that guides a series of bobbin carriers I2 in the conventional manner. .In the present instance, eight or more plaited strands such as I3 may be used. In addition, this braider may also be providedV with one or more core strand bobbins (not shown) as in the Hodgson and Reynolds Patent #1,537,445 of May .12, 1925.vv Since the means for imparting movement to the respectivecarriers do not constitute the essential subject matter of our improvements, it is sufficient for present purposes, to point out thatz-such well known type of braider is .generally equipped with an actuated stop mechanism which admits of automatically shutting down ,the braidershould any one of the processed strands become ruptured. This same stop mechanism isl herein utilized and made to cooperate with a disclike pattern adapted to automatically ceasejoperations Whenever suffiient tapered line length has been fabricated to .require a change in strand size.

. Said conventional machine equipment may further ,comprise a spring actuated knockoff plate or equivalent device I 4 of arcuate shape of` which `one endregion isfulcrumed to the stationary platen at I5. The opposite plate end region is usuallyr provided with aprotruding portion I6 which lies close tobut is made to normally clear the travel path of the several carriers. As will be understood, each Acarrier also includes a drop weight y ory the like arranged to actuate the knockof plate radially outward about its -fulcrurn upon rupture of vany one tensioned braider strand. Such machine maybe power driven through the pulley I'I. `The gear interconnected bobbins may be'neshed with-an intermediate spur gear l'rotatably mounted upon the upright drive shaft I9. A suitable clutch 20maybe disposed beneath'said spur gear and the pulley made to drive the bobbins therethrough. ,The laterally shiftable knockoff plate may be provided with a notch 2| Ydisposed to engage a depen ing`link `22 havingV a latchableVA head thereon Yan fewhich head is releasably retained by said plate whenever themanipulativelever 23 is raised to engage the pulley clutch. When the plate I4 is swung radially outward by interference with a carrier portion, the gear clutch 20 will be automatically released and thereby bring about a stoppage in the braiding operations. The described clutch control may be termed stop mechanism.

Elevatedabove the platen is a superstructure including a pair of stanchions such as 24 which `rotatably mount the overhead cross shaft 25. Said cross shaft is usually providedwith suitable braid take-up mechanism or draw spool devices collectively designated'as 26. This capstanlike metering means for thelaid braid may be positively actuated in unison with the rotation ofthe braider bobbins by the Ausregof Ya train of gears that commonly includes a pair of In conventional practice, the relative number 0f change gears.`

teeth in these complementary replacement gears are from time to time changed manually in stepwise fashion to modify the pick of the laid strand when braiding a tapered sh line. On the other hand, our braid take-up mechanism provides automatic control means for gradually changing the rate of rotation of the draw spool in a commensurate relation to thethread size requirements of the tapered braid while the carriers remain running at a xed speed.

'Ihe forward end of our cross shaft 25 may be equipped with a nat driven disc or face plate 30 that frictionally cooperates in quadrature with a toothless drive pinion 3I, as shown in Fig. 1. Such pinion may' be operatively mounted upon an auxiliary spindle 32 'of which the axis is directed radially toward thek center of the cross shaft. This spindle is axially shiftable and slidably embraced by a splined rotatable sleeve 33 that is'retalned against endwise movement. The lower end of said sleeve may be equipped with a bevel gear 34 which is driven from thev horizontal countershaft 35. The opposite end of the last named shaft may be provided with a gear 36 that meshes with the worm 3'Imounted upon the u prightv drive shaft I9. This arrangement is such that the pinion 3| is rotated in unison with the drive pulley I'I under command offthe `clutch 2U and which spindle is vertically vshiftable in its surrounding sleeve to modify the j rotative speed of the draw spool while the braider remains operative.

That is to say,.a lifting of the spindle brings about an accelerated speed rate in the discl 30 whereas a spindle ldrop carries the pinion 3| radially away from the axis of the cross shaft 25 and correspondingly slows up the relative disc speed. Any suitable means may be employed in raisingor lowering the spindle to suit theprevailing pick requirements. In the present instance, such adjustable speed control means reside in the use of a heart shaped cam 38 mounted upon the transverse lay shaft 39. This cam may be provided with vertically guided roller or other follower means 40 adapted to transmit the vertical component of roller movement beneath the bottom of the spindle through the use of "a suitable follower linkage such as 4I or the like. Oneend of said lay shaft may be provided with a reduction gear 42 of which the worm may be sprocket driven at 43 by the chain 44 that is in turnmactuated from the rear end ofthe cross shaft 25. As aV result, said lay shaft will berobraider carriers so as to makebut one whole revolution for the completion of a single tapered sh line. The indented' cam profile may be changed within widek limits and is shaped to respond to the ycharacter of taper and its predetermined disposition along a finished fish line length. v

The opposite end `of the lay shaft carries a specimen patter-nwhich in the present disclosure tated at an extremely slow rate in relation to the i comprises one or a series of control discs 45Y that are rotated in unison with the slow moving l cam 38. In order to obviate the need for an excessively large single disc diameter, we preferably resort to theuse of a' compact stack of smaller discs which may be laterally separated by suitable spacer means to provide for a vgroove between each pair of next adjacent discs. A peripheral portion of jeach such disc is given a symmetrica] notched formation as at 46,. 46', etc. (see Figs.- 4 and 5) with respective notches of the severaldiscs disposed angularly about-.acorn-l `not be evenly spaced, since such angular relation is dependent upon the characteristics of the completed article. `One end of the guided tongue member 4l may bepivotallyattached at "48 by retractible means to the knockoff plate |4, as indicated. The other tongue end may'be provided uwith an acute pawl 49 adapted to enter into some one of the disc notches. Anactuating spring 50 `normally thrusts said pawl radially t inward towardthe axisof the rotatable lay shaft The toe width of said pawl is kept proportional Vto the disc thickness and this toemaybe laterally shifted by a manipulative knob 5I about the tongue pivot 48 to selectively cooperate with the successive next adjacent notches afforded by the`several control discs45A, 45B, etc. Suitable retaining means such as thercited grooves between the' discs may be provided to holdthe pawl in aligned registry with the thickness of any one rotating disc. l l' n i The effective length of said tongue is such that whenever the pawl rides-upon a disc perimeter, the latchable lhead on thelink 22 will remain engaged with the platenotch 2|v -and thus hold theclutch 20 is operative engagement. However, when the control disc has advanced sufficiently to allow thebeveled` pawl to drop into oneof such aligned disc notches, thiswill release the link headand automaticallythrow the gear `clutch out of engagement to .f shut downthebraiden Said notches `arepreferably so spacedas to properly time. such shut down and thereby automatically signal the operator when to make a required bobbin thread change. Thereupon, the braider is restarted` `.until the` reaching'fof av next contiguous notch calls for another thread change. i

Because our draw spool and the control disc 45 are positively interconnected to` rotatey in` unison, the spacing between successive disc notches serves to definitely meter a linear;r length of completed braid. Such a machine maybe `additionally equipped with the usual `takeup reel 52, also level ,Winder mechanism 53, guide holder and the rlike conventional `accessories that need not be definedfin-fdetail.` l Attention is now directed to Fig. 6 which shows a double taperediish line productin which the bellied portion is disposed symmetrically between the `line ends. As ,actually manufactured, an exemplification thereof isbeing marketed in a standardized continuous length of about ,90 it.

The-relativelyshort trailing line end or -component L2 i may be kept at the same diametral size DI and weightI that is given to the forward link or leader component L6., 4Between these sections there may be braided an interposed weighted belly region having a uniform or level diametral size D2 forkaconsiderable lengthL4..` In actual dimensions. DI usually corresponds approxi-v matelyrto in size while D2fmay run several times as large. The respective belly ends `arc graduallytapered in the component lengths L3 and L5 until their adjacent smaller linev sizes are reached. The fabrication may be carried on as a continuous process as represented in dotted outline, whengthe complctedline iscut tothe overall length LI. e y

When starting to braidthesmaller` sized ccmponents L2 or L5..thereof, the pawlj 49 will be disposed `midway between theoppositely `disposed disc notches 46 and 46' of the disc 45C .as in Figs. 4 and 5. Atthis instant,`the `roller 40 will ride uponthe bottom of the depressed cam profile in th` Fig. 'l manner; Both Figs. 4 and 7 denote the particular cam portion that responds to the Fig. component lengths. Assumingboth the cam 38 and the discs' 45`t'oberotating clockwise lon thecmmon lay shaft 39 `corresponding to a limited angle designated'LZ, then the roller 40 remains at a fixed radial distance from the axis of the shaft 39.` In the meantime, the notch 46 willibe advancing toward `the pawl 49 and when 'ultimatelyreached,` the machine will be automat# icallyshut down by release of the drive clutch 20. This 4first step completes the level line corriponent L2. f

The operator thereupon increases the strand size on one carrier and restarts operations by lifting the lever 23 and thereby relatching the head of ther-link 22 into'engagement with the knockoif plate, as described. Prior thereto, the retractible pawl `49'will have been lifted out of its lnotch andlshifted laterally into alignment withthe contiguous disc 45B so as to ride upon the periphery thereof and thus again hold the clutch V2l) in operative engagement.' The `next adjacent notch of the discv45B will then similarly advance ltoward the readjusted'pawl until the machine is again brought to vrest for another thread change. A subsequent raising of the pawl-49 radially away from the lay shaft axis, causes the clutch to be thrown into engagement and allows the braiding. operations to proceed. Resort to multiple discsobviates the placing of an excessively large numberof notches on any one disc-andstill provides for the/desired fine gradation corresponding to something like 6 of completed linear `taper length'between thread changes. 1 l

While the taper L3 is being braided, the roller 40 will graduallyand automatically creep up towardthe outermost perimetric profile of the cam 3B in accordance with some exemplar and thereby correspondingly increase the speed of the draw spool which in turn properly compensates for the needed larger pick of the heavier belly forming strands.- When the roller rides upon the truly the belly component without machine `shut down. z

Asintimated, when working on the converging taperiLS, all operations are reversed until finally e the smaller level component L6 is. completed and the article as a whole fabricated with the minimum of expenditure of tim-e and labor. w `It, is. also `within .the scopeof-` our invention to resort to but one disc having a single notch thereon so as to automatically bring the machine to rest after braiding a predetermined line length. Such pattern would then be correspondingly speeded up to have such single notch rotate throughone wholerevolution instead ofthe restrict/ed angular distance designated L2 in Fig. 4.y Means might readily be provided torender such single disc notch inoperative while fabricating the uniformly large article` diameter D2 of Fig..6 so as not to interrupt the braiding thereof.

Also instead of resorting to our cam actuated frictional disc drive, similar` results as applied to certain purposes may be had by the use of a speed changek gear box El of the kind depicted in Fig. 8. It is common practice to drive the cross shaft 25 through asset of replaceable interposed spur gearsr such as 60 and 6I represented in dotted v outline. y j The relative` number of teeth in the respective meshed gears may be altered to suit draw spool pick requirements when fabricating a tapered sh line-or the like in a built-up fashion. As a substitute for the change gears 60 and 6|, said box may be equipped with one or more pairs of mated spur gears such as 63 and 64, also 65 and 66. By manually actuating the control lever 68, the differently sized - gears 63 and 65 may be laterallyvshifted into mesh with either thegears 64 or 66. is thereby correspondingly modified with respect to the rate of carrier travel. Such handle manipulation still leaves our pattern disc intact and operative to automatically bring the braider to rest after a definite length of tapered line has been laid. When such gear box is provided with a plurality of similarly controlled gear sets, any desired range of speed change increments, may beobtained.

It will be observed that with our improvements, the tapered length component is gradually stepped up in diametral size and in proper pick spacing until a larger level is reached. Such procedure makes for a high grade fish line that is uniformly builtup and capable of being rapidly produced at a comparatively low rst cost. It is emphasized that since our lay shaft39 is positively geared to the cross feed shaft 25-to run in unison, the control disc 45 cannot get out of synchronism when xing the location of the tapered line component in the finished article, irrespective of any relative speed change thatmay be'effected by thev cam 3B or the gear box 61. In addition, means are provided for simultaneously varying the rotative rate of the draw spool together with such pattern disc in a definite relation to the carrier speed. Our braider machine provides for a gradual rather than a markedly abrupt change in taper and its pick compensating means obviates the need for frequent servicing of the conventional change gears 60 and 6l. l

Such automatic devices not only. improve the quality and uniformity of product at the minimum of material wastage, but also fortify against the element of human frailty by requiring all thread changes to be made at regular intervals when braiding'a tapered line. The preceding disclosure will it is believed,l make apparent to those skilled in this art, the resulting advantages afforded by our braider innovations.' While the present specification has primarily been directed to the fabrication of tapered fish line, this is not intended to imply a corresponding restriction in the wider application of our machine improvements and itis to be understood that various changes in such illustrative embodiment may be resorted to, all without departing from the spirit and: scope of our invention heretofore described A and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a braider machine, means for braiding strands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriers about a common axis, a centralized stop mechanism commanding the power driven means and serving to bring the carriers to rest, movably mounted pattern means also actuated by said power driven means and whichA pattern while operative is continuously moved in unison with the carriers, said pattern being interconnected to control the stop mechanism and serving to automatically shut down the rotation of the carriers after a predetermined length vof braid has been laid, and means for auto- The rotativespeed of the cross shaft 25y matically changing the pick of such braid in a proportionate relation to the laid length thereof.

2. In a braider machine, means for braiding strands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriers about a common axis, a stop mechanism commanding the power driven means and servingto bring the carriers to rest, a. rotatably mounted pattern disc, interconnecting gear means to rotate the disc in unison with the carriers, said disc being operatively connected to actuate the stop mechanism and serving to automatically shut down carrier rotation after a predetermined length of braid has been laid, draw spool means serving to meter the predetermined length of laid braid and which means are rotated axially in unison with the pattern disc, and means for progressively modifying the relative speed between said draw spool means and the pattern disc. l

3. In a braider machine, means for braiding strands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers that are rotatably mounted to travel 'bodily upon a platen about a common axis, power driven means rotating the carriers, a stop mechanism including knockoif `plate means pivotally mounted upon the platen, a rotatably mounted pattern disc having spaced notches thereon and which disc is rotated in unison with the carriers, and shiftable tongue means operatively disposed between the knockolf plate and' the disc, onev end region of Y said tongue means being provided with retractible pawl means adapted to engage a disc notch and thereby automatically actuate the stop machanism. l

4. In a braider machine, means for braiding strands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers that are rotatably mounted to travel bodily upon a platen about a common axis, power driven means for rotating the carriers, a stop mechanism including knockofl plate means pivotally mounted upon the platen,

pattern means comprising a stack of rotatably mounted control discs each having a plurality of notches in the respective peripheries thereof and which disc notches are'perimetricallystaggered relative to each other, means simultaneously rotating said discs, and a shiftably mounted tongue operatively disposed between the knockoff plate and the respective discs, one end region -of such tongue being provided with pawl means adapted to selectively enter any one of the disc notches. f 4

5. In a braider machine,`means for braiding strands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriers at a certain travel rate about a common axis, a stop mechanism commanding the power driven means and serving to bring the carriers to rest,`movably mounted pattern means actuated 4by said power driven means to move in unison with the carriers, said pattern being operatively connected to control the stop mechanism, rotatable draw spool means arranged to take up the laid braid, means rotating the draw spool from the power drive means, and means changing the speed rate 'of the draw spool with respect to the aforesaid carrier travel rate.

6. In a braider machine, means for braiding strands of material' and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven 4means for bodily rotating the carriers at a certain travel rate about a common axis, a stop mechanism commanding the power driven means and serving e zgbiase to b'rlnglthe lcarriers to' rest, a notched pattern lrotatably mounted contiguous tofand arranged `to control saidv St'Qpmechanisni. andwhiich' pat,

shifting the pinionto change the pick rate of the laid braid.

7. In a braider machine, means for braiding strands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for rotating the carriers to run at a certain travel rate about a common axis, a stop mechanism commanding the power driven means and serving to bring the carriers to rest, `movably mounted pattern means actuated by said power driven means to move in unison with the carriers, said pattern being operatively connected to control said mechanism and serving' to intermittently stop the carriers, rotatable draw spool means for taking up the laid braid and which means are rotated from the power driven` means, and means for automatically modifying the rate of spool take up during one such carrier running period. l i ,l

8. In a braider machine, means for braiding strands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriersl at a certain travel rate about a common axis, rotatable draw spool means arranged to take upthe delivered braid, and means driving the draw spool in unison with said carriers, said means comprising adjustable `control devices for automatically modifying the rate of spool take up with respect to the aforesaid carrier travel rate in a proportionate relation to the length of the delivered braid. e

9. In a braider machine, means for braiding strands of lmaterial and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriers about a common axis, overhead cross shaft means extending over said carriers, draw spool means mounted upon the cross shaft and arranged to take up the laid braid, frictional drive means for rotating the cross shaft from the power driven means, said frictionali drive means comprising an axially retained sleeve member rthat is positively actuated to rotate in unison with the carriers and has a splined axially shiftablev spindle mounted therethrough and which spindle carries a rtoothless pinion at one end thereof, and means for adjustably shifting said spindle while its sleeve is' being rotated.

10. In a braider machine, means for braidingy strands of material and which means' include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriers at a certain travel rate about a common axis, rotatably mounted ratewabout a common axis,` rotatably mounted cross shaft meansoperatively.connected to run in unison with the carriers, draw spoolmeans mounted upon said `cross shaft, lay `shaft means,

meansdriving the lay shaft fromthe crosstshaft, La) stop mechanism commanding the `power driven "me'a'ns "and serving to bring the carriers to rest,

pattern means mounted upon the lay shaft and which pattern is operatively connected by actualed tongue means to control the stop mechanism, and change gear means simultaneously modifying the speed rate of the lay and cross shafts with respect to the aforesaid carrier travel rate. i

12. In a braider machine, meansfor braiding' strands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriers at a certain travel lbring the carriers to rest, pattern means mounted upon the lay shaft and which pattern is arranged to actuate said stop mechanism, and adjustable control means serving to change the rate of the cross shaft speed with respect to the aforesaid carrier travel rate.

'13. A machine for laying tapered braid and which machine comprisesa plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriers about a common axis, rotatably mounted cross shaft means operatively connected to run in unison with the carriers, draw spool means for said cross shaft arranged to take up and meter the laid braid, a stop mechanism commanding the power driven means to bring the braiding machine to rest, a rotatably mounted specimen pattern that is also operativelyA connected to run in unison with the carriers, said pattern being arranged to actuate the stop mechanism and which pattern during onerevolution thereof serves to repeatedly stop the braiding `machine in a substantially definite relation to a linear length component oflaid strand as meterstrands of material and which means include a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the carriers about a common axis, a stop mechanism including knockoff plate means that commands the power driven means and brings the carriers to rest', rotatably mounted pattern means provided with a plurality of notches that are perimetrically spaced apart about the axis of rotation thereof, tongue means operatively interconnecting the pattern with said knocko plate and which tongue is equipped with pawl means adapted to enter one of the pattern notches and thereby actuate the stop mechanism,

.draw spool means arrangedto meter the laid braid, and means for rotating the draw spool and pattern in unison with the carriers, one of the aforesaid notches being thereby advanced toward the pawl means to time the linear length component of laidbraidfthat the draw spool is permitted to meter prior to bringing the carriers to rest.

15. In a machine for laying tapered braid and which machine comprises means for braiding strands of material-including a plurality of bobbin carriers, power driven means for bodily rotating the, carriers at a certain rate of travel about a common axis, rotatable cross shaft means. draw spool means mounted upon the cross shaft'l and arranged totake up the laidbraid, and manipulative gear box means provided with a series of vmated changev gears that are operatively mounted to selectively drive the cross shaft therethrough from the power driven means atv different speeds with respect to the `carrier travel and thereby progressively modify theplck of the laid braid in different component length re-

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