Braiding machine

Abstract

Braiding machine comprising a series of plates arranged in a continuous manner in a closed circuit, each plate comprising a number of slots that accommodate a number of spindles with a guide; at least one drive means that drives the plates, guide channels where the spindle guides run and at least two diverter channels having two positions: a first position for continuous rotation in one same plate and a second position, for switching plates.

1 . A braiding machine of the type comprising a series of plates ( 1 - 8 ) arranged in a continuous manner in a closed circuit, each plate comprising a number of slots ( 9 ), that accommodate spindles ( 20 ) having a guide ( 21 ), at least one drive means that drives the plates ( 1 - 8 ), guide channels ( 22 ) wherein the spindle guides ( 21 ) run and at least two diverter channels ( 12 ,  19 ) having two positions, a first position for continuous rotation of the spindle in one same plate and a second position for the spindle to switch the plate, characterized in that the braiding machine further comprises:
 a first group of plates having at least five plates ( 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ), where one of the plates is a driving plate, first driving plate ( 1 ); these plates are arranged in a continuous manner and define two end plates ( 4 ,  5 ), having at least four slots ( 9 ) in each plate ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 );   a second group of plates, having two plates ( 6 ,  7 ), both of which are driving plates, second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ), which are located subsequent to the two end plates ( 4 ,  5 ), one for each end plate, having at least four slots ( 10 ), in the two plates ( 6 ,  7 ) and   a third group of plates having one driving plate ( 8 ), located in between the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ), third driving plate ( 8 ) closing the circuit and having at least two slots ( 11 ) more than the plates in the first group;   
       and in having two diverter channels ( 12 ,  19 ) located between the second and the third group of plates, defining a first operation position wherein the third driving plate ( 8 ) is isolated from the circuit and a second operation position wherein the third driving plate ( 8 ) is part of the circuit. 
     
     
         2 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that plates ( 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ) of the first group of plates and plates ( 6 ,  7 ) of the second group of plates have four slots, and plate ( 8 ) of the third group of plates has six slots. 
     
     
         3 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each driving plate ( 1 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ) has an independent drive means ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ). 
     
     
         4 . The machine according to claim characterized in that each diverter channel ( 12 ,  19 ) comprises an un independent drive means ( 17 ,  18 ) that drives it between the first operation position and the second operation position, and vice versa. 
     
     
         5 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that, when in the second operation position, the third driving plate ( 8 ) rotates at a lower speed than the speed of the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ) and the speed of the first driving plate ( 1 ). 
     
     
         6 . The machine according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the third driving plate ( 8 ) rotates at ⅔ the speed of the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ). 
     
     
         7 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that, when in the first operation position, the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ) when rotating, comprise a spindle ( 23 ,  24 ) in each slot ( 10 ) at a given time. 
     
     
         8 . The machine according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ) have a forwards and backwards movement. 
     
     
         9 . The machine according to  claim 8 , characterized in that when in the first operation position, when second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ) exchange one of their spindles ( 24 ) with end plates ( 4 ,  5 ) of the first group, the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ) then go backwards to receive the spindle ( 25 ) from end plates ( 4 ,  5 ), and end plates ( 4 ,  5 ) maintain their rotating direction while the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ) shift the direction and move backwards. 
     
     
         10 . The machine according to  claim 9 , characterized in that, when in the first operation position, third driving plate ( 8 ) does not rotate. 
     
     
         11 . The machine according to  claim 9 , characterized in that, when in the first operation position, third driving plate ( 8 ) rotates in an idle mode. 
     
     
         12 . The machine according to  claim 2 , characterized in that, both in the first operation position and in the second operation position, the machine comprises seventeen spindles ( 20 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ). 
     
     
         13 . The machine according to  claim 12 , characterized in that eight spindles rotate in one direction and nine spindles rotate in the opposite direction. 
     
     
         14 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the diameter of the third driving plate ( 8 ) is the same diameter as the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ) and as the plates of the first group ( 1 - 5 ). 
     
     
         15 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the arrangement of the plates ( 1 - 8 ) is circular. 
     
     
         16 . The machine according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each driving plate ( 1 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ) has an independent drive means ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ). 
     
     
         16 . The machine according to  claim 2 , characterized in that each driving plate ( 1 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ) has an independent drive means ( 13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ). 
     
     
         17 . The machine according to  claim 16 , characterized in that each diverter channel ( 12 ,  19 ) comprises an un independent drive means ( 17 ,  18 ) that drives it between the first operation position and the second operation position, and vice versa. 
     
     
         18 . The machine according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the third driving plate ( 8 ) rotates at ⅔ the speed of the second driving plates ( 6 ,  7 ). 
     
     
         19 . The machine according to  claim 9 , characterized in that, both in the first operation position and in the second operation position, the machine comprises seventeen spindles ( 20 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ). 
     
     
         20 . The machine according to  claim 19 , characterized in that eight spindles rotate in one direction and nine spindles rotate in the opposite direction.