FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tine foot rest apparatus for textile machines. In particular the invention relates to the foot rest apparatus for spinning 5 preparatory machines like draw frame, comber or lap former.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The textile machines such as like draw frame, comber or lap former processes textile fibre slivers as a preparatory steps for yarn spinning. In 10 order to inspect the slivers or to access the drafting/condensing area of said machines, the operator has to use the steps/foot rests provided in these machines. Generally the machine operator will access the side top areas of these machines when it requires for maintenance and machine operations. Said step/foot rest is provided at any one side of the machine depending upon the type of the machine.

Figure-1 of the drawings shows the schematic view of the existing art wherein the machine (1') provided with linear can changing arrangement. Generally the empty cans (4') are being loaded from rear side or front side of the machine. Here the front right side loading is shown as example for a draw frame. In the case of front side loading, the empty sliver cans traveling path comes between two successive parallelly arranged machines (1'). Hence the said fixed step/foot rest (5") occupies additional space (Y) in addition to the cans traveling space (X). Therefore the total space occupied for step/foot rest (5') and can traveling path is X+Y. And also this fixed step/foot rest (5') may create obstacles in the path and makes the empty can transport as difficult as shown in Figure-1.

Moreover while the larger size cans are being used, it is difficult to transport said cans between the machine path. And hence during machine installation itself, the space occupation becomes more due to the lay out of the machine according to this requirement. And also providing a fixed foot rest in the side 5 of the machine doesn't award a sufficient space for man material movement which will occupy certain machine area and increase the total layout size.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a foot rest apparatus that allows 10 sufficient space for man, material movement without any interference and increase the safety.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foot rest apparatus that facilitates obstacle free path for transporting the empty cans.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a foot rest apparatus that occupies less space for a spinning preparatory machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the foot rest apparatus for textile spinning preparatory machines is provided with a foldable and/or movable feature in order to accommodate sufficient space for man, material movement without any interference. The foot rest apparatus mounted in the machine frame comprises at least one foot plate wherein the plurality of pivotal joints are provided between said foot plate and machine frame. Therefore the foot step can be folded or adjusted/moved according to the requirement. Normally this foot step is being held folded vertical down or vertical up while the machine doesn't need for operator attention. When there is a requirement for inspect/access or maintenance, said foot step can be unfolded to horizontal locking position in order to facilitate the operator to access the top area of the machine. The present invention discloses an embodiment of a single foot plate step. A foot step with multiple foot plates are also possible within the 5 scope of this invention. In that case, said multiple foot plates are made to fold, through means of plurality of pivotal joints.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Figure -1 schematically illustrates the prior art machine provided with 10 fixed step/foot rest.

Figure - 2 & 3 illustrates the schematic view of the machine with adjustable/foldable step/foot rest according to the present invention.

Figure - 4 schematically illustrates the opened/unfolded the step/foot rest according to the present invention. 15 Figure-5 schematically illustrates the closed/folded the step/foot rest according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure-1 of the drawing represents the exemplary view of the spinning preparatory machine according to the existing art which was already explained with its limitations in the back ground of the invention. To overcome those limitations, the present invention provides a adjustable/foldable step/foot rest as shown in Figures-2 & 3. Spinning preparatory machine (1) comprises a filling can (2); plurality of empty reserve cans (3) on the platform while the empty can (4) travels along the empty can traveling path which is shown by arrows. Here the empty can traveling space (X) is being utilized as path for transporting said empty can (4) and space for foot step/foot rest.

In normal condition, the said empty can traveling space (X) is free to transfer the can (4) for reserve can feeding as shown in Figure-2. Meanwhile the foot step/foot rest (5) is being closed/folded in order to allow the can (4) to pass through. And whenever there is a need for inspection/repair/access or 5 maintenance, said foot step (5) can be unfolded to horizontal locking position as shown in Figure-3 in order to facilitate the operator to access the top area of the machine. Therefore the empty can traveling space (X) is quite enough for both CAN traveling as well as foot step (5), whereas the additional space (Y) of existing art is no longer necessary.

Figure-4 of the drawings shows the detailed illustration of the foot step/foot rest apparatus according to the present invention wherein the said foot rest (5) is mounted in the machine frame (6). Here the foot step/foot rest (5) is in unfolded/opened condition. An upper bracket (13) and a lower bracket (14) of
15 said machine frame (6) provides room for upper pivot joint (8) and lower pivot joint (7) respectively. Upper pivot joint (8) connects an end of said foot rest (5) to the upper bracket (13) whereas the lower pivot joint (7) connects the one end of connecting plate (9) to the lower bracket (14). The other end of connecting plate (9) is movably connected with the longitudinal slot (12) of foot rest (5) by means of a locking pin (10).

The longitudinal slot (12) comprises a locking slot (11) to accommodate the locking pin (10) while the foot rest (5) is in fully opened condition. Said locking slot (11) is schematically shown in Figure-5 of the drawings. When folding 25 down the foot rest (5), the locking pin (10) released from the locking slot (11) and is being freely slides through the longitudinal slot (12) and reaches the end position. Therefore the foot rest (5) can be folded down vertically with respect to the upper pivot joint (8). Meanwhile the lower pivot joint (7) given pivotal support to the downward slide movement of the connecting plate (9). And when the foot rest (5) is unfolded/opened, the above sequence is reversed and said locking pin (10) gets locked in the locking slot (11) thereby provides a firm support to the unfolded foot rest (5). Said locking pin (10), 5 connecting plate (9), brackets and the pivot joints (7 & 8) provide a secured support to the unfolded foot rest (5) while the operator stands on it. The whole folding and unfolding action is being done by manually, but it is possible to do the same by using automatic mechanism such as mechanical electrical / pneumatic / hydraulic systems or combinations of the above. As an another 10 embodiment, the foot rest can be collapsible type like contracting/expanding type.

The foldable foot rest apparatus according to the invention allows sufficient space for man material movement without any interference and thereby 15 improved machine lay out size. Moreover it provides a obstacle free path for transporting the empty cans & man movement. Since the additional space (Y) is being avoided, there is an improvement in total machine layout size.

The present invention teaches the embodiment of a single foot plate step (5).
As an embodiment, a foot step with multiple foot plates are also possible within the scope of this invention (not shown). In that case, said multiple foot plates (5) are assembled as collapsible to fold, through means of plurality of pivotal joints. Since the present invention shown herein are only exemplary, further embodiments are also possible within the scope of the invention.

WE CLAIM

1. A foot rest apparatus for textile machines comprises at least one foot test (5) wherein the said foot rest (5) is foldable and / or movable

2. A foot rest apparatus for textile machines as claimed in claim-1,

wherein the plurality of pivotal joints (7, 8) are provided between foot rest (5) and machine frame (6) for the movement of foot rest

3. A foot rest apparatus for textile machines as claimed in claim- 1, 10 wherein a connecting plate (9) is movably connected with the longitudinal slot (12) of foot rest (5) by means of a locking pin (10).

4. A foot rest apparatus for textile machines as claimed in claim-3, wherein the longitudinal slot (12) comprises a locking slot (11) to accommodate the locking pin (10).

5. A foot rest apparatus for textile machines as claimed in claim-1, wherein the machine (1) can be provided with multiple foot rests (5). 6. A foot rest apparatus for textile machines as claimed in claim- 1, wherein the foot rest (5) can be collapsible type like contracting/expanding type