Importance

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Abstract

A rotary braiding machine interweaves strands to form a braid for a work piece, such as a hydraulic hose or the like. A frame has a central axis about which strands of fiber are braided. Inner bobbin-carrier assemblies and outer bobbin-carrier assemblies are carried circumferentially on the frame. The inner bobbin-carrier assemblies are rotatably supported by the frame radially outwardly of the central axis, are separated by recesses, and each supports a strand supply bobbin. Each of the inner bobbin-carrier assemblies has an inner tensioning and control assembly to pay-out a first strand of one or more fibers from its bobbin and to position the first strand in substantially perpendicular relation to the central axis of the frame. The outer bobbin-carrier assemblies are rotatably supported by the frame radially outwardly of the central axis and of the inner array of strand supply bobbins. The outer bobbin-carrier assemblies likewise support strand supply bobbins and form a second circular array, each having an outer tensioning and control assembly to pay-out a second strand of one or more fibers from its bobbin and to manipulate that strand so that it synchronously moves into a corresponding recess in the frame of the machine so that the inner bobbin-carrier assemblies may be circumferentially rotated to pass over the second strand, and out of the corresponding recess so that the inner bobbin-carrier assemblies may be circumferentially rotated so as to pass under the second strand. For minimizing strand tension while achieving the optimum braid angle in the finished product, the outer strands pass through a position substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the machine at the braid point, while passing into and out of the recesses.

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First Claim