Donning and doffing yarn tubes using magnetic force

Abstract

A method and a device are disclosed for donning and doffing, using magnetic force, yarn tubes mounted on a creel. A base frame is used to support pivoted arms on which yarn tubes are mounted for use with various textile machines. The yarn tube may be in at least one of two positions: donning position and doffing position. In the doffing position the thread may be fed to the textile machine for weaving, while in the donning position the thread spool may be replaced by another thread spool. The pivoted arms may be held in either the donning or the doffing positions with magnetic force for secure positioning of the pivoted arms. One-handed and easy operation of the donning and doffing process may be performed due to the use of magnetic force to hold the pivot arm in the predetermined positions.

1 . A device for mounting spools on a creel, the device comprising:
 a base frame comprising at least two distinct positions, one each for donning and doffing thread from a yarn spool;   at least one pivot arm configured to receive the yarn spool, the pivot arm further configured to swing between the at least two distinct positions; and   at least one magnetic component configured to generate a magnetic force operable to attract and hold the pivot arm.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two mechanical stops, one at each of the at least two distinct positions, configured to stop a motion of the pivot arm moving between the at least two distinct positions. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a magnet support block on the base frame, the magnet support block configured to be used for attachment of the at least one magnetic component. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic component is a natural magnet. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic component is an electromagnet. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot arm is made of a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot arm includes a ferromagnetic base a non-ferromagnetic shaft configured to receive the yarn spool. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a separate magnetic component is used to hold the pivot arm at each of the at least two distinct positions. 
     
     
         9 . A creel for use with a textile machine, the creel comprising:
 a rack structure; and   a plurality of base frames attached to the rack structure, each base frame configured to support at least one pivot arm configured to hold a yarn tube, wherein the at least one pivot arm is further configured to swing between at least two distinct positions on the base frame, and wherein the at least one pivot arm is configured to be held in one of the at least two distinct positions using a magnetic component.   
     
     
         10 . The creel of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two distinct positions correspond to a donning position and a doffing position for the yarn tube. 
     
     
         11 . The creel of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic component is a natural magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The creel of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic component is an electromagnet. 
     
     
         13 . The creel of  claim 9 , wherein the pivot arm, at least in part, is made of a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         14 . The creel of  claim 9 , wherein the pivot arm includes a base and a shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The creel of  claim 9 , wherein the pivot arm is configured to be separated from each of the at least two distinct positions by applying a force to overcome a force of the magnetic component. 
     
     
         16 . A method of donning and doffing yarn tubes on a creel, the method comprising:
 moving a pivot arm having a yarn spool mounted thereon, held at a doffing position by a magnetic force on a base frame to a donning position on the base frame;   replacing the yarn spool; and   returning the pivot arm to the doffing position to be securely held at the doffing position by the magnetic force.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forcing the pivot arm held at the donning position by another magnetic force before returning the pivot arm to the doffing position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein moving the pivot arm held at the doffing position comprises overpowering the magnetic force and moving the pivot arm away from the magnetic force. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein moving the pivot arm held at the doffing position comprises moving the pivot arm with one hand. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein moving the pivot arm held at the doffing position comprises swinging the pivot arm away from the doffing position about a pivot point on the base frame.