The present invention relates to a drive system for rotating a turn table of a fibre plucking machine in a semicircular path on both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.
A fibre plucking machine is used to pluck fibres from fibre bales that are arranged on both sides of the machine. A plucking head in the plucking machine is made to travel in a horizontal direction in a linear path so as to pluck fibres from a row of fibre bales arranged on one side of the machine. After completely plucking the fibre bales arranged on one side of the machine, the plucking head turns to the other side of the machine to pluck fibres from that side. In the meantime, a row of fresh fibre bales are arranged on the side of the machine which is empty. The process continues and fresh bales are stocked on both sides of the machine so that the plucking head continuously plucks fibres and feed them to a spinning machine.
The plucking head of the fibre plucking machine should be able to travel vertically in a linear path and horizontally in a linear and semi-circular path so as to pluck fibre from the fibre bales arranged on both sides of the machine. The fibre plucking machine includes a trolley which runs on rails. The plucking head is attached to a spindle which in turn is releaseably attached to the trolley so that the head can travel in a horizontal direction in a linear path along with the trolley.

The plucking head is made to travel in vertical direction by
means of separate drive arrangements. The plucking head is
turned from one side of the machine to its opposite side in a
semicircular path by a turn table arrangement.
This turn table arrangement is known and widely used in plucking machines for turning the head from one side of the machine to the other side. The known turn table arrangement includes complicated gear drive systems. These gears frequently get affected by fibre flies and fibre gets stuck to grease present in the gears. Further, the gears require high momentum and are not easily accessible. In addition, the known gear drive system is expensive and requires frequent maintenance.
The object of the present invention is to provide a drive system for a turn table which can overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a drive system which can rotate the turn table with lesser amount of force.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a drive system for rotating a turn table of a fibre plucking machine in a semicircular path on both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, comprising driving means for driving the turn table, a driving

medium attached to the turn table and to the driving means for transferring the driving force from the driving means to the turn table, a guiding roller for guiding the driving medium to overlap more than half the circumference of the turn table.
The drive system for a turn table according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig 1 is cross-sectional view of the drive system for rotating the turn table according to the present invention.
The fibre plucking machine includes a trolley (1) on which a turn table (2) is rotatably mounted. A tower arrangement is fixed on top of the turn table (2). The tower houses a spindle to which a plucking head is attached. The plucking head is turned from one side of the machine to the other side by turning the turn table (2). The drive system of the present invention enables the turn table (2) to turn in a semicircular path on both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.
The drive system of the present invention comprises a driving means such as electric motor (5). The motor drives a toothed pinion (7) which is connected to the turn table (2) through a toothed belt (3). The toothed belt is guided through a guiding roller (4) so as to overlap more than half the

circumference of the turn table. This overlapping enables the turn table to rotate both in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions with a lesser amount of force. Preferably, 3/4th circumference of the turn table is overlapped by the toothed belt (3).
The electric motor (5) and the toothed pinion (7) may be separated by a housing. A tower housing a spindle is mounted on top of the turn table (2). A plucking head is attached to the spindle in a slideable manner.
Ouring operation, the motor (5) is actuated to drive the toothed pinion (7) which in turn drives the toothed belt (3). The turn table (2) which is overlapped by the belt (3) rotates in a semicircular path so as to turn the tower along with the plucking head from one side of fibre plucking machine to its opposite side.
The drive system of the present invention is cost effective
and involves minimum maintenance as it eliminates greasing.
Further, the drive system is easily accessible and the
replacement cost is also minimised.
While only a single preferred embodiment has been disclosed for the purpose of i1 lustration, many variations and modifications could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all these variations and modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

WE CLAIM :
1. A drive system for rotating a turn table (2) of a fibre
plucking machine in a semicircular path on both clockwise and
anti-clockwise directions, comprising driving means (5) for
driving the turn table (2), a driving medium (3) attached to the
turn table and to the driving means (5) for transferring the
driving force from the driving means to the turn table, a guiding
roller for guiding the driving medium (3) to overlap more than
half the circumference of the turn table.
2. The drive system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said
driving means comprises an electric motor (5) and a toothed
pinion (7 ).
3. The drive system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said
driving medium (3) in a toothed belt.
4. The drive system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the toothed
pinion (7) is separated from the motor (5) by a housing (6).
5. A drive system for rotating a turn table of a fibre plucking
machine, substantially as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.