Yarn tensioning device

Abstract

A device is disclosed for tensioning a running length of textile yarn. The device in its simplest form is made up of a housing with a yarn passageway extending therethrough. An annular seat is provided in the passageway and provides a surface for receiving a spherical element thereat with the element being out of contact with walls of the passageway while at rest on the seat. Relative dimensions of the passageway and the seat are such that the spherical element is precluded against lateral movement away from the seat, whereby the spherical element constantly applies tension against a yarn passing between the seat and the spherical element. The passageway further extends above the spherical element at the seat and may receive a plurality of elements if desired.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tension device comprising: a. a housing, said housing having a yarn passageway extending therethrough, said yarn passageway having a small diameter section and a large diameter section;   b. an uninterrupted annular seat located in said large diameter section of said passageway at the junction of said large and small diameter sections, said seat having an annular opening passing therethrough and presenting a smooth arcuate surface extending from said opening outwardly therefrom, the curvature of said arcuate surface being in a direction opposite the curvature of a spherical element receivable thereat .Iadd.said seat being defined by an insert received in said yarn passageway.Iaddend.; and   c. a spherical element receivable in said large diameter section of said passageway, said spherical element having a diameter less than the length of said large diameter section of said passageway and said large diameter section of said passageway at said seat and said spherical element being comparatively sized such that said spherical element may reside at said seat out of contact with walls of said large diameter section of said passageway when no yarn is passing through said opening and such that substantial lateral movement of said spherical element is precluded whereby said spherical element continuously controls tension on a yarn passing thereby .Iadd.said passageway being smooth surfaced and substantially unrestricted upwardly from said seat for a distance sufficient to permit substantially unrestricted upward movement of said spherical element during tensioning of a yarn.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing and seat of said device are of integral construction. 
     
     
       3. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 2 wherein said device is manufactured of a ceramic material. 
     
     
       4. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said large diameter section of said yarn passageway includes a large diameter .[.section.]. portion, .Iadd.and .Iaddend.a medium diameter portion.[., and wherein said seat is provided by an insert received in said small diameter section of said passageway.].. 
     
     
       5. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 4 wherein the medium diameter portion of said large diameter section is provided adjacent said seat. 
     
     
       6. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 5 wherein said large diameter portion tapers in to said medium diameter portion. 
     
     
       7. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said yarn passageway has straight walls adjacent said seat. 
     
     
       8. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing has mounting means secured thereto. 
     
     
       9. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 8 wherein said mounting means comprise a member secured to said housing and extending outwardly therefrom, said member having an elongated slot therealong. 
     
     
       10. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 9 wherein said member is integral with said housing. 
     
     
       11. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of spherical elements are received in said passageway, said spherical element being positioned one above the other. 
     
     
       12. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 1 wherein said yarn passageway extends above said seat throughout said housing at no substantial decrease in diameter. 
     
     
       13. A tension device comprising: a. a plastic housing, said housing having a yarn passageway extending therethrough, said passageway having a large diameter section and a small diameter section, said large diameter section having walls defining same that extend generally axially with respect to the housing, said housing further having a mounting member secured thereto and extending outwardly therefrom,   b. an abrasion resistant insert received in said small diameter section of said passageway, said insert being uninterrupted therearound and having an annular opening therethrough, said insert having arcuate surfaces around said opening, said arcuate surfaces having a radius of curvature in a direction opposite the direction of curvature of a spherical element receivable thereat, said opening and arcuate surfaces defining a seat for a spherical element at the junction of said large and small diameter sections; and   c. a spherical element receivable in said large diameter section of said passageway and being residable at said seat while not making contact with walls of said passageway when no yarn is passing through said opening, said spherical element having a diameter less than the length of said large diameter section of said passageway and the diameter of said large diameter section of said passageway at said seat being such that said spherical element is precluded from substantial lateral movement whereby said spherical element continuously tensions a yarn passing thereby .Iadd.said passageway being smooth surfaced and substantially unrestricted upwardly from said seat for a distance sufficient to permit substantially unrestricted upward movement of said spherical element during tensioning of a yarn.Iaddend..   
     
     
       14. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 13 wherein said mounting member is integral with said housing and has an elongated slot therealong. 
     
     
       15. A yarn tension device as defined in claim 13 wherein said large diameter section of said passageway has a diameter at an upper end thereof that is at least as large as the diameter of the passageway at said seat. .Iadd. 16. A tension device comprising: (a) a housing, said housing having a yarn passageway extending therethrough, said yarn passageway having a small diameter section and a large diameter section;   (b) an insert received along said passageway defining an uninterpreted annular seat located in said passageway at the junction of said large and small diameter sections, said seat having an annular opening passing therethrough and presenting a smooth arcuate surface extending from said opening outwardly therefrom, the curvature of said arcuate surface being in a direction opposite the curvature of a spherical element receivable thereat; and   (c) a spherical element receivable in said large diameter section of said passageway, said spherical element having a diameter less than the length of said large diameter section of said passageway and said large diameter section of said passageway at said seat and said spherical element being comparatively sized such that the said spherical element may reside at said seat out of contact with walls of said large diameter section of said passageway when no yarn is passing through said opening and such that substantial lateral movement of said spherical element is precluded whereby said spherical element continuously controls tension on a yarn passing thereby, said large diameter passageway extending above said seat for at least a distance to receive two spherical elements therein and permit substantially unrestricted upward movement of the number of spherical elements utilized therein, said large diameter section of said passageway having smooth walls and being unrestricted along said distance, during tensioning of a yarn. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A tension device as defined in claim 16 wherein the large diameter section of said passageway is substantially unrestricted for substantially the length of the housing above the seat. .Iaddend.