EP0159927A1 - Machine for manufacturing structural elements by braiding threads, and structural elements manufactured on this machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Cores (a1-a4) pass through separate points in a plate (1) of the machine, over which plate thread-carrying spools (171-1724) are free to move. Two pairs of spools (i.e. four spools) are associated with each of the six possible pairs of the cores (a1-a4). Both spools in each pair are wound in the same direction around the corresponding pair of cores. The other two spools corresponding to the same pair of cores wind round the pair in the opposite direction. At successive steps of the method, each spool in each pair of spools is swapped with the other spool of the pair to occupy the position previously occupied by the said other spool. As a result, each pair of cores is covered by two helical windings in each winding direction.

Description

The invention relates to a machine for manufacturing structural members. by braiding as well as the structural members obtained by the use of this machine.

In general, it is sought to have structural members which have maximum mechanical strength for the lightest weight, and this both for large members and for small members.

To this end, it has been proposed to constitute organs from son or fibers of various materials assembled by interlacing and often embedded in a hardened resin.

The subject of the invention is a machine which makes it possible to assemble filiform elements together in configurations making it possible to achieve structural members with high mechanical strength and in particular making it possible to take full advantage of the intrinsic qualities of fibers recently proposed, such as carbon, kevlar, glass fibers, etc.

It relates in particular to a machine which makes it possible to dress elongated elements or webs, filiform or banded, made of carbon fibers or the like, by wires, for example glass fibers, following helical contours, the arrangement of the cores and that of the windings being able to be chosen at will according to the desired structural characteristics, thus offering the industry organs making it possible to respond better than hitherto to the conditions of mechanical strength, lightness, small size, desired for many applications.

In braiding or stranding machines the threads are pulled from a multiplicity of shuttles mounted for rotation about their axes, which have hitherto been of fixed position with respect to each other.

The invention is characterized by the fact that the coils or shuttles from which the wires are unwound intended to constitute the covering of the cores of the structural member of which displaceable in a plane transverse to the direction of traction, the displacements being controlled to achieve around the souls the desired configuration of the wires.

A machine according to the invention comprises at least one coil displaceable in a plane transverse to the direction of traction of its wire, first parallel to a plane corresponding to a soul or souls to be dressed, materialized by two filiform elements or by a band element, then transversely to said plane and again parallel to it, but in the opposite direction to the first movement, etc.

It is then possible to carry out, simultaneously or not, a multiplicity of core coverings, parallel and / or transverse to one another, to result in a structural member having the desired mechanical characteristics.

The machine thus produces the structural member in a succession of work periods each period comprising the production of a determined length; or not, various skins.

The step-by-step realization of this manufacturing is favorable to the automation of the various stages and thus to obtaining a minimum cost price and a uniformity of quality of the elements.

Dressing by helical windings can be done by the combination of the tensile movement exerted on a wire with the movement of the coil from which the wire originates in a plane perpendicular to the direction of traction.

The invention however provides in this regard to first carry out a phase during which the wire is extracted from the spool without the latter moving as a whole, in a movement in a plane perpendicular to the traction, the displacement in this plane taking place in a second phase, the coil being, for this purpose, rotatably mounted about its axis by means of elastic return means.

The invention also provides for using the openings naturally obtained by the oblique arrangement of the strands of wire resulting from the helical winding for the introduction of mandrels participating in the production of coverings and stabilizing the configuration of the structural member.

According to the invention, also, the mandrels are applied to facilitate the longitudinal drive process of the member during manufacture.

When the structural member must comprise a resin, this can be put in place before and / or during the manufacture of the structural member by covering the cores and / or after said covering.

The invention relates to the structural members obtained using such a machine, whether they have large dimensions, like a beam, or relatively small dimensions, like a tennis racket frame.

• - la figure 1 est une vue schématique en plan de la table de la machine portant les dispositifs de bobines ;
• - la figure 2 est une vue en élévation par l'arrière de ladite table,certains éléments ayant été omis ;
• - les figures 3 à 6 sont des vues analogues à la figure 1, mais pour d'autres conditions des dispositifs de bobines;
• - la figure 7 est une vue de la table avec toutes les bobines en leurs positions centrales, certains éléments ayant été emis,
• - les figures 8 à 10 sont des vues analogues aux figures 3 à 6, mais pour d'autres positions des dispositifs de bobines ;
• - la figure 11 est une vue en élévation d'une bobines et de ses éléments adjacents à plus grande échelle;
• - la figure 12 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne XII-XII de la figure 11;
• - la figure 13 est une vue schématique en élévation de face de la machine;
• - la figure 14 en est une vue correspondante par le côté;
• - la figure 15 est une vue à plus grande échelle, de face, d'un panneau supportant des porte-mandrins;
• - la figure 16 est une vue de côté correspondante, avec arrachement partiel;
• - la figure 17 est une vue de côté d'un porte-mandrin;
• - la figure 18 est une vue en plan correspondante;
• - la figure 19 est une vue schématique, en élévation, explicative de la formation d'un enroulement;
• - la figure 20 est une vue en plan correspondante;
• - la figure 21 est une vue analogue à la figure 13,mais pour une autre réalisation du dispositif support des porte-mandrins;
• - la figure 22 est une vue schématique d'un organe d'ossature selon l'invention;
• - la figure 23 est une vue en élévation d'un organe d'ossature selon l'invention;
• - la figure 24 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne XXIV-XXIV de la figure 23;
• - la figure 25 est une vue analogue à la figure 23, mais à 90° de celle-ci;
• - la figure 26 est une vue en plan par le haut correspondante;
• - la figure 27 est une vue analogue à la figure 24, mais pour une variante;
• - la figure 28 est une vue analogue à la figure 23, mais pour une autre forme de réalisation d'un organe d'ossature;
• - la figure 29 est une vue analogue à la figure 28, mais à 90° de celle-ci;
• - la figure 30 est une vue en plan par le haut correspondant à la figure 29;
• - la figure 31 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne XXXI-XXXI de la figure 28;
• - la figure 32 est une vue de face d'un organe d'ossature, pour une autre forme de réalisation;
• - la figure 33 est une vue par bout correspondante;
• - la figure 34 est une vue en élévation dudit organe mais à 90° de la figure 32;
• - la figure 35 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne XXXV-XXXV de la figure 32;
• - la figure 36 est une vue analogue à la figure 33 mais pour une variante;
• - la figure 37 est une vue de face d'un autre organe d' ossature selon l'invention ;
• - la figure 38 en est une vue de-côté correspondante;
• - la figure 39 est une vue schématique en coupe pour une réalisation de la machine suivant laquelle l'entraînement des dispositifs de bobines a lieu par voie manuelle;
• - la figure 40 est une vue schématique d'un trajet de dispositif de bobine;
• - la figure 41 est une vue analogue à la figure 40, mais pour une variante dans laquelle le déplacement des dispositifs de bobines a lieu par voie manualle;
• - la figure 42 est un schéma relatif à une variante de la réalisation montré sur la figure 41.

In the description which follows, given by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:

• - Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the table of the machine carrying the coil devices;
• - Figure 2 is an elevational view from the rear of said table, some elements having been omitted;
• - Figures 3 to 6 are views similar to Figure 1, but for other conditions of the coil devices;
• FIG. 7 is a view of the table with all the coils in their central positions, certain elements having been emitted,
• - Figures 8 to 10 are views similar to Figures 3 to 6, but for other positions of the coil devices;
• - Figure 11 is an elevational view of a coil and its adjacent elements on a larger scale;
• - Figure 12 is a sectional view along line XII-XII of Figure 11;
• - Figure 13 is a schematic front elevational view of the machine;
• - Figure 14 is a corresponding view from the side;
• - Figure 15 is an enlarged front view of a panel supporting mandrel holders;
• - Figure 16 is a corresponding side view, partially broken away;
• - Figure 17 is a side view of a mandrel holder;
• - Figure 18 is a corresponding plan view;
• - Figure 19 is a schematic view, in elevation, explaining the formation of a winding;
• - Figure 20 is a corresponding plan view;
• - Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 13, but for another embodiment of the support device of the mandrel holders;
• - Figure 22 is a schematic view of a framework member according to the invention;
• - Figure 23 is an elevational view of a frame member according to the invention;
• - Figure 24 is a sectional view along line XXIV-XXIV of Figure 23;
• - Figure 25 is a view similar to Figure 23, but at 90 ° thereof;
• - Figure 26 is a plan view from above corresponding;
• - Figure 27 is a view similar to Figure 24, but for a variant;
• - Figure 28 is a view similar to Figure 23, but for another embodiment of a frame member;
• - Figure 29 is a view similar to Figure 28, but at 90 ° thereof;
• - Figure 30 is a top plan view corresponding to Figure 29;
• - Figure 31 is a sectional view along the line XXXI-XXXI of Figure 28;
• - Figure 32 is a front view of a framework member, for another embodiment;
• - Figure 33 is a corresponding end view;
• - Figure 34 is an elevational view of said member but at 90 ° to Figure 32;
• - Figure 35 is a sectional view along the line XXXV-XXXV of Figure 32;
• - Figure 36 is a view similar to Figure 33 but for a variant;
• - Figure 37 is a front view of another frame member according to the invention;
• - Figure 38 is a corresponding side view;
• - Figure 39 is a schematic sectional view for an embodiment of the machine according to which the drive of the coil devices takes place manually;
• - Figure 40 is a schematic view of a coil device path;
• - Figure 41 is a view similar to Figure 40, but for a variant in which the displacement of the coil devices takes place manually;
• FIG. 42 is a diagram relating to a variant of the embodiment shown in FIG. 41.

The braiding or stranding machine comprises, in the embodiment shown, a platform or plate 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) with a generally square contour but with cut angles, therefore octagonal, with a first pair of long parallel sides 2 and 3, a second pair of long parallel sides 4 and 5, perpendicular to the previous ones, and cut sides 6, 7 and 8, 9.

This tray or table is concentric with the figure formed, apart from a homothety, by the intersections, with the tray or table, al, a2, a3, a4 extensions or projections of the souls of the future structural member in the dressing area , the points a1, a2, a3, a4 being, in the example, arranged at the vertices of a square.

The tray or table 1 supports, by stirrups 10 _1,2 along its side ⁸ or ^Yr cut, two jacks 15 _1, 15 _2, the rods 16 _1, 16 ₂ are parallel to the diagonal _{2, 3} passing through the vertices a ₂ , a ₃ . Each of the rods 16 is intended to move, parallel to said diagonal, a coil device, respectively 17 ₁ , 17 ₂ .

Likewise, the table 1 supports, along the side 9 or cutaway opposite to the side 8, actuator devices 15 ₃ , 15 ₄ whose rods 16 ₃ , 16 ₄ are suitable for moving coil devices 17 ₃ , 17 ₄ parallel to the direction of the diagonal d _2,3 .

The coil devices 17 ₁ and 17 ₂ , parallel to one another, are, in the condition shown in FIG. 1, at a distance between them greater than the overall dimensions in width of the pair of coil devices 17 ₃ , 17 ₄ .

The cut sides 6 and 7 are likewise equipped with jack devices, respectively 15 ₅ , 15 ₆ and 15 ₇ , 15 ₈ identical to the jack devices 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ . The coil devices 17 ₅ and 1 ₇₆ are, perpendicular to the direction of the diagonal d _1.4 , spaced from each other by an interval greater than the overall dimensions in width of the pair of coil devices 17 ₇ and 17 ₈ .

Side 4 of the table is equipped with two pairs of actuators 15 ₉ , 15 ₁₀ and 15 ₁₃ , 15 ₁₄ . The opposite side 5 of the table is equipped with two pairs of actuator devices 15 ₁₁ , 15 ₁₂ and 15 ₁₆ , 15 ₁₅ . Side 3 is equipped with two pairs of actuator devices 15 ₁₇ , 15 ₁₈ and 15 ₂₁ , 15 ₂₂ respectively and side 2 is equipped with two pairs of actuator devices 15 ₁₉ , 15 ₂₀ and 15 ₂₃ , 15 ₂₄ . The cylinders of two pairs facing each other are at different distances as explained below for couples 171, 172 and 173, 174 The plane of symmetry common 18 to the cylinders 15 ₉ , 15 ₁₀ and 15 ₁₁ , ¹ 5 ₁₂ pass by points a ₂ and a ₄ . The common plane of symmetry 19 with the cylinders 15 ₁₃ , 15 ₁₄ and 15 ₁₅ , 15 ₁₆ , passes through the points a ₁ and a ₃ . The common plane of symmetry 21 of the cylinders 15 ₁₇ , 15 ₁₈ and 15 ₁₉ , 15 ₂₀ passes through the points a ₁ and a ₂ . The plane of symmetry 22 common to cylinders 15 ₂₁ and 15 ₂₂ and to cylinders 15 ₂₃ and 15 ₂₄ passes through points a ₃ and

The axes of the rods of a pair of cylinders are in the condition of the table shown in FIG. 2, offset in height the axis of the cylinder 15 ₁₄ is, for example, further from the upper surface 20 of the table 1 than cylinder axis 15 ₁₃ .

From the initial condition shown in FIG. 1, or "Time O", in a first operating phase of the machine concerning the movements of the coil devices, it is the cylinders 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ and 15 ₃ , 15 ₄ which are actuated simultaneously to bring to the end of the first phase, or "Time 1", the coil devices 17 ₁ , 17 ₂ and 17 ₃ , ₁₇₄ in the positions shown in FIG. 3, by opposite movements making them cross the diagonal to _l - _a4 in one direction and in the other.

During the following phase, after the cylinder rods 16 ₁ , 16 ₂ , 16 ₃ , 16 ₄ , have been brought back to their contracted condition, these are the cylinder devices 15 ₅ , 15 ₆ and 15 ₇ , 15 ₈ which are actuated to bring the coils 17 corresponding in the positions shown in FIG. 4 which are those of "Time 2", by parallel movements, but in opposite directions, causing them to cross, in one direction and in the other, the diagonal a ₂ -a ₃ , the retraction of the cylinder rods 161-164 having released their trajectories; In the condition reached, the coils 17 ₇ and 17 ₈ find a place between the rods of jacks 16 ₅ , 16 ₆ . The positions of the coils 17 ₇ and 17 ₈ are the same as the positions of the coils 17 ₃ and 17 ₄ but offset from the latter by 90 ° in an anticlockwise direction. The positions of the coils 17 ₅ and 17 ₆ are the same as the positions of the coils 17 ₁ and 17 ₂ but also offset therefrom by rotation of 90 ° counterclockwise. The cylinder rods 16 ₅ -16 ₈ are then returned to their contracted positions.

The final position of the next phase is shown in Figure 5, representative of "Time 3". Eight cylinder rods were actuated during this phase, namely, simultaneously the cylinder rods 16 ₉₀ 16 ₁₀ , 16 ₁₁ , 16 ₁₂ , 16 ₁₃ , 16 ₁₄ and 16 ₁₅ , 16 ₁₆ . The axes of the corresponding coils are then in the same plane 31 passing through the center 23 and parallel to the sides 4 and 5 of the plate 1. The actuator rods 16 ₉ -16 ₁₆ are then contracted to bring them back to their initial positions.

The outcome of the next phase is shown in Figure 6, representative of "Time 4". These are the devices of indexed coils 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, 24 which are brought into their central positions with their axes contained in the same plane 32 passing through the general axis 23 and parallel to the sides 2 and 3. Also after this phase, the cylinder rods 16 ₁₇ , 16 ₁₈ and 1619. 16 _{20 as} well as the cylinder rods 1621. 16 ₂₂ and 16 ₂₃ , 16 ₂₄ are retracted.

The condition reached is that shown in Figure 7, representative of "Time 5", where all the coils are in their central positions, none of the cylinder rods being present on the part of the plate or platform 1 provided for the displacement of the coil devices.

We have reached the end of the first half-period of machine operation.

The next phase is the first return phase of the coil devices. During this phase, the cylinder rod 1612 was brought into the stirrup 16 _11,12 , opposite the coil device 17 ₉ , came out of the cylinder 15 ₁₂ until contacting the coil device 17 ₉ and cling to it, then reintroduced into the body of the jack 15 ₁₂ , which is again moved laterally in the stirrup 16 _{11,12 '} until it _returns to its initial position, the coil device 17 ₉ thus effecting the path marked by the arrow, first along a longitudinal branch then along a transverse branch, so as to bring said coil device into the position marked 12 ′ which was initially the position of the coil device 17 ₁₂ . Similarly and simultaneously the coil device 17. ₁₀ is brought into the position shown in 11 'by a displacement with two transverse components as shown schematically by the bent arrow 10-11'. Simultaneous movements are permitted by the height offsets of the cylinders 15 ₁₁ and 15 ₁₂ . The coils 9 and 10 then came into the positions initially occupied by the coils 11 and 12. Similarly, the coils 11 and 12, from their central positions, are brought into the positions 10 'and 9' which were those that initially occupied the coils 10 and 9 and this by the action of the cylinder rods 16 ₉ and 16 ₁₀ respectively. During the same phase, the coil 13 is, from its central position, brought into the position 16 ′ which the coil 16 initially occupied, and the coil 14 is brought into 15 ′ into the position initially occupied by the coil 15. Likewise, the coil 15 is brought to 14; in the position initially occupied by the coil 14; and the coil 16 is brought into 13 '' in the position initially occupied by the coil 13.

At the end of this phase, the coils are in the position shown in Figure 8, representative of "Time ₆ ".

Figure 9 relates to the next phase. During this phase, the coil 18 is brought into 19 ', in the position that the coil 19 initially occupied and the coil 17 is brought into 20', into the position that the coil 20 initially occupied. The coil 20 is came in 17 ', in the position initially occupied by the coil 17, and the coil 19 came in 18', in the position initially occupied by the coil 18.

Also during this phase, and symmetrically with respect to the plane 31, the coil 22 is brought from its central position to the position 23 'which the coil 23 initially occupied and the coil 21 is brought into 24', to the position that 'initially occupied the reel 24. The reel 24, from its central position is brought into the position 21' which the reel 21 initially occupied, and the reel 23 is from its central position, brought into the position 22 'which the reel initially occupied coil 22.

This results in the condition shown in Figure 9 or "Time 7 ''.

During the following phase, the coil 1 is brought from its central position to position 4 '(FIG. 10), which occupied the coil 4 in the initial condition and the coil 2 is brought, from its central position, in the position 3 'occupied by the coil 3 in the initial condition. Likewise, the coil 3 is brought from its central position to the position 2 'occupied by the coil 2 in the initial condition and the coil 4 is brought from its central position to the position l occupied by the coil 1 in the initial condition. According to the other diagonal, and still during the same phase, the coil 5 is brought from its central position, to the position 8 'occupied by the coil 8 in the initial condition and the coil 6 is, from its central position , brought into the position 7 'occupied by the coil 7 in its initial position.

Simultaneously, the coil 7, from its central position, is brought into the position 6 'occupied by the coil 6 in the initial condition and the coil 8 is brought from its central position into the position 5' occupied by the coil 5 in the initial condition.

We arrive at the condition shown in Figure 10 or "Time B" in which the plate 1 carries coils in the same positions as in the initial condition, but in each position it is not the coil which was initially there which has returned to its place, but a coil which, in the initial condition, was in a position substantially symmetrical with said position, either relative to the center 23 of the plate, or relative to the lines 31 and 32.

Each of the coil devices 21 comprises a coil body 31 (FIGS. 11 and 12), mounted for rotation about an axis 32, a flat spring 30 ensuring on the one hand friction on the rim 33 of the coil 31 and, on the other hand, the elastic return of the latter. A metallic wire 34 with a loop 35 ensures the guiding of the wire 25 at the outlet of the reel 31. In its central position, each reel device 21, released from its jack rod, is held and immobilized by its body 38 thanks to a mortise 36 integral with the tray 37 of the table 1.

In another embodiment of the machine, the movement of the coil devices takes place manually. The coil devices are then guided by grooves or rails, as shown in 101 and 102- (Fig. 39), formed in a plate 103, overhanging the table 1 and connected to the latter by spacers 104:

FIG. 40 shows diagrammatically on the right 105 ₁₁ the path of the coil device 11 during the first half period and on the right 105 ₁₂ the path of the coil device 12 also during the first half period.

During the second half-period, the coils 9 and 10 are returned respectively to positions 12 'and 11' by paths 105 ₁₂ , and 105 ₁₁ ,. In this embodiment, each path 105 has two perpendicular branches.

In the variant shown in FIG. 41, the path 106 ₁₁ is identical to the path 105 ₁₁ . However, during the second half-period, the coil device 10 is brought back along a curvilinear path 107 ₁₁ , towards the external part 108 ₁₁ of the path 106 ₁₁ to the position shown at 11 '. Similarly, the coil 9 is brought back to the end 108 of the straight path ₁₂ 106 ₁₂ 107 by an arcuate branch _12, juice ^{q 'to} the position shown by 12'.

FIG. 42 represents the path of the coil devices in the grooves 102 of the embodiment of FIG. 39 grooves 109 ₁₁ and 109 ₉ are in line with one another. Likewise, the groove 109 ₁₂ is in the extension of the groove 109 ₁₀ . The groove 109 ₁₀ is connected to the groove 109 ₁₁ by a doubly curved groove 11 ⁰ ₁₀ , ₁₁ and the groove 109 ₉ is connected to the groove 109 ₁₂ by a doubly curved groove 109 _9,12 .

Points can be provided at the crossings between the grooves.

Alternatively, the immobilization of a coil device takes place by magnetic means.

The table 1 carries, on its underside 41 by means of angles 12 ₁ -12 ₄ four drums 11 ₁ -11 ₄ (Figures 13 and 14) from which come souls 28 ₁ -28 which come out of the table 1 respectively through holes crossing at points a ₁ -a ₄ . On the table or tray 1 are erected uprights 42, 43 which carry a panel 44 whose span is equal to the distance between the sides-2 and 3 of the table. On the panel 44 is fixed a double guide device 45 (FIGS. 15 and 16) reserving a first guide path 46 and a second guide path 47. Both of the paths are intended for guiding mandrel devices 48 (FIGS. 17 and 18) each of which comprises a base 49 intended for guiding of which a mandrel support 51 is secured by means of a neck 52. The mandrel holders are prismatic, with a square section, so that they can be superimposed on each other by their respectively lower 53 and upper 54 faces.

Each mandrel holder has a mandrel 55 which projects from the face 56 of the mandrel holder. Each mandrel is, in the embodiment shown, with an octagonal cross section thus having eight faces ₅₇₁ , ₅₇₂ , 5 ₇₃ , ₅₇₄ , 5 ₇₅ , 57 ₆ , 57 ₇ , 57 ₈ , the front face being referenced 58.

Means are provided, shown diagrammatically by arrow 1 (FIG. 15), for passing the lower mandrel holder of row 47 into the lower position of row 46, which is aligned with that of the penultimate mandrel holder lower of the row 46, and this along a trajectory shown diagrammatically by the arrow 59. Means are also provided, shown diagrammatically by the arrow 3, for passing the upper mandrel holder of the row 46 into the upper position of the row 47 when this will be released by advancing one step down from the upper mandrel holder of said row, as shown by arrow 2.

To make a framework element, the wires ₂₅₁ - ₂₅₄ from the coils 1 ₇₁ -17 _{4 are} then pulled by hand, then in their initial positions (FIG. 1), also the four cores 28 ₁ -28 ₄ ; the wires and cores coming from the coils and drums located on one side of the plane 32, for example on the left side in FIG. 16, are clamped and immobilized in a clamping member as shown at 61 located on the right side of said plane, being applied in the last part of their course against the face 57 ₁ of the mandrel 55 ₁ . Likewise, the wires 25 coming from the coils situated to the right of said plane 32 are drawn from their coils and the cores 28 ₂ and 28 ₄ drawn from their drums and their ends tightened for immobilization in a tightening device 62 located at left of the plane 32 and immediately adjacent to the face 57 ₃ of the mandrel 55 ₁ . There is thus formed below the mandrel 55 ₁ a kind of pyramidal umbrella constituted by the ends of the twenty-four wires 25 ₁ -25 ₂₄ as well as a second umbrella but with only four edges and of smaller opening constituted by the four cores 28 ₁ -28 ₄ the arrangement having been shown in the lower part of FIG. 16 which is an initial condition for the manufacture of a strand, but not of the first strand, the latter having been formed when the mandrel 55 ₁ was in the lower position of row 46 opposite the lower mandrel holder of row 47.

It is from this umbrella of relatively flexible wires 25 that, by the movements of the coil devices 17 ₁ -17 ₂₄ , which have been described, that the oblique strands of constituent threads of wrappings or windings.

In the initial condition, that is to say at "Time O", the end strand of the wire 25 ₁ can be represented by the point 1.0 (FIG. 19 and FIG. 20). The displacement of the reel device or reel 17 ₁ which brings it to the position it occupies at "Time 1", corresponds to the formation of a strand of wire from point 1.0 to point 1.1. The configuration of the wire 25 ₁ near the cores 28 is then not modified as long as the coil 17 ₁ remains stationary on the plate 1, that is to say until "Time 6".

It is in the phase which follows "Time 6" that the coil 17 ₁ is again displaced: the longitudinal displacement corresponds to the formation of a part of the strand between point 1.1 and point 1: 2 and to the transverse displacement of the coil corresponds to the formation of the strand part 1.2, 1.3, the formation of the strand part being carried out without interruption from point 1.1 to point 1.3. The first period is over.

During the second period, the configuration taken by the wire 25 ₁ around the cores 28 ₃ and 28 ₂ corresponds first to the part of the strand between 2.0 (confused with 1.3) and point 2.1. It is only in the second half-period of this second period that the part of the strand between point 2.1 and point 2.2 will form, corresponding to a longitudinal displacement of the coil 251 and, corresponding to a transverse displacement of the device. of coil 25 ₁ , the part of strand between point 2.2 and point 2.3, which will become point 3.0 for the third period, the formation of the part of strand between point 2.1 and point 2.3 being made without discontinuity.

During a period, the strand is formed on one and the same side of the plane defined by the cores 28 ₂ and 28 ₃ , but at the end of this period, the end of the strand is on the other side of said plane in correspondence of the transverse displacement of the coil. During the following period, it is on this other side of said plane that the oblique strand is formed and at the end of this period the end of the strand is again on the side of the plane where the first strand has formed. oblique. By the longitudinal and transverse displacements of the coil, a flat helical winding is therefore obtained around the longitudinal cores 28 ₂ and 28 ₃ .

The process which has just been described for wire 25 ₁ takes place simultaneously and in a similar manner for wire 25 ₂ , but when the oblique strand 1 of wire '25 ₁ conforms to a side of the plane defined by the axes of the cores 28 ₂ and 28 ₃ , it is on the other side of this plane that the oblique strand 2 is formed from the wire 25 ₂ .

Simultaneously oblique strands are formed from the wires 25 ₃ and 25 ₄ and also interposed between the cores a ₂ and a ₃ (or 28 ₂ , 28 ₃ ) diagonally opposite but with obliquities opposite to those of the strands originating from the wires 25 ₁ and 25 ₂ .

Alternately, the strands 1, 2 are more distant from each other than the strands 3, 4, then vice versa, so that at the crossings of the wires 25 ₁ and 25 ₃ , alternately, the wire 25 ₁ is inside the wire 25 ₃ then outside this wire, etc.

The processes of shaping the strands around the cores are done in the same way for the wires 25 ₅ to 25 ₂₄ . But while the covering from the wires 25 ₁ to 25 ₄ is made by flat helical windings interposed between the diagonally opposite cores 28 ₂ and 28 ₃ , the covering from the wires 25 ₅ to 25 ₈ is made by windings helical plates around the cores 28 ₁ and 28 ₄ , the covering from the wires 25 ₉ to 25 ₁₆ is done simultaneously by helical windings around the cores 28 ₂ and 28 ₄ and by helical windings around the cores 28 ₁ and 28 ₃ ; covering from the wires 25 ₁₇ to 25 ₂₄ is done by helical windings on the one hand around the cores 28 ₁ and 28 ₂ and, on the other hand, around the cores 28 ₃ and 28 ₄ .

During two successive periods, as a result, each of the wires will be disposed, due to the displacement of the coil from which it comes, according to the helical configuration provided in advance, with winding around the cores, diagonally or not diagonally, intertwining, a wire being for a half-step outside the plane of the cores, then inside for the next half-step, all the wires thus producing a volume braid or strand.

The arrangement of the coils on the plate, their movements, are chosen to result in the most favorable configuration of the windings for obtaining a structural member or beam offering the maximum resistance to the forces which it is intended to undergo.

When the strand corresponding to a mandrel, which is the mandrel 55 ₆ in the representation in FIG. 15, is completed, which corresponds to two periods of displacement of the coils, another mandrel 55, which is the mandrel 55 ₇ ′ lower mandrel of row 47, engages, by a horizontal movement, in the pyramid of wires which depends on the mandrel 55 ₆ and the pyramid of souls with four edges which depends on said mandrel- This mandrel, after its engagement, is lifted d step, that is to say it takes the position previously occupied by the mandrel 556, the latter being driven in the same lifting, as well as the mandrels which are superposed on it, with the exception, however, of the mandrel upper of row 46, here referenced 55 _O , and which, by a horizontal movement, takes the place occupied previously by the mandrel 51 ₄ and left free by the descent of one step of all the mandrels of row 47 caused by the horizontal displacement of the lower mandrel 55 ₇ of this row, c as mentioned above.

When the mandrel 55 ₇ has taken the place of the mandrel 55 ₆ , the manufacture of the following strand is undertaken, by the displacements of the coils 17 on the table 1, as explained above.

And so on...

According to one embodiment, the mandrel drive device is shaped so as to directly obtain a framework member which is not rectilinear as shown diagrammatically on

Figures 13 and 14 but curvilinear as shown in Figure 21. The mandrel circuit then comprises a curvilinear track 71, for example circular, and a vertical straight track 72. When the mandrel shown at 73 reaches the end of the track 71, it takes the upper position reserved for it in track 72, as shown in 74, after which it undergoes a rotation of 90 ° so that when it reaches, as shown in 75, the lower place of said track , it can be, by a horizontal displacement, brought to take the lower position shown at 76 of the curvilinear track.

The framework member thus obtained has a configuration which substantially reproduces that of the curvilinear track 71. It is in this way can be obtained directly by the machine for example a racket frame.

It is also possible to obtain a framework member comprising two parallel rectilinear branches 78 and 79 connected by a curved part 81, as shown in FIG. 22.

After completion of the manufacture of the structural member according to the desired length, it is separated from the machine by simple cutting of the wires and cores.

Figures 23 and following relate to structural members manufactured by a machine according to the invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 to 27, the beam comprises four threadlike parallel cores, included in the hatched parts at the corners of the cross section shown in FIG. 24, which are the cores 28 ₁ -28 ₄ of the description previous and around which are helically wound wires as explained.

The beam is square cross section with four faces longitudinal 111, 112 and 113, 114, each openwork. It includes diagonal windings 115, 116 and 117, 118, frontal helical windings 119, 121 and 122, 123 between the cores 28 ₃ , 28 ₄ and 28 ₁ , 28 ₂ respectively, lateral helical windings 125, 126 and 127, 128 between the souls 28 ₁ , 28 ₃ and 28 ₂ . 28 ₄ respectively.

The crossover zones of the wires have been marked in hatching in FIG. 24 and referenced respectively 129, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137. The central zone 138 is a crossover zone for the diagonal windings.

Each of the front faces shows octagonal openings 141 reserved by the mandrels 55 symmetrical with respect to the mean plane 142 perpendicular to the parallel faces 113, 114; each of the side faces has openings 143 symmetrical with respect to the mean plane 140 perpendicular to the previous one. All the faces also show openings on either side of the planes of symmetry, respectively 144, 145 and 146, 147.

These openings are favorable for the connection of the framework member according to the invention with other elements participating in a construction.

At each end of the structural member, the latter shows inclined branches 148, 149; 151, 152 converging into a small platform 153 with a cross-shaped outline. Each end of the structural member has at its corners appendages with rectangular section 154, 155, 156, 157 arranged in the extension of the cores.

Referring now to Figures 28 to 31 relating to another embodiment of braided beam.

In this embodiment, the structural member again has four threadlike cores arranged along edges of a prism with a square section, respectively 161, 162, 163, 164. Said cores are, during manufacture, surrounded by the wires in a manner similar to that indicated above. In addition, the structural member comprises two groups of parallel cores, five in number in each of the groups in the example shown, 165 and 166 which intervene in the winding of the wires, but which do not hinder said wires. windings and this due to the openings provided by said windings.

The finished structural member then comprises two parallel solid walls 167 and 168 and two walls, perpendicular to the preceding 169 and 171, with openwork. Here again, the openings in the walls 169 and 171 are of octagonal cross section, as shown in 172, or of substantially trapezoidal section, as shown in 173 and 174. Each end of the element has two flat platforms 175 and 176 at rectangular outline.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 32 to 35, the structural member is in the form of a ladder. Its souls are constituted by two pairs of filiform elements 181, 182 and 183, 184. The structural member has parallel uprights 185 and 186 between which bars 187 are interposed with oblique spacers 188 and 189 between each bar and the amounts. The side faces 191 and 192 are openwork.

FIG. 36 is a view similar to FIG. 33 but which includes, for each upright, three parallel threadlike cores respectively 193, 194, 195 and 196, 197, 198. The diagram shows flat helical windings 190 between the core 193 of the upright 199 and the core 198 of the upright 201, diagonally opposite, of the windings 202 between the core 195 and the facing core 198 and of the windings 203 between the core 195 and the diagonally opposite core 196 of the 'other amount.

Figures 37 and 38 relate to an embodiment close to that shown in Figures 33 to 35. The structural member can then be used directly as a ladder with parallel longitudinal uprights 211 and 212, between which are interposed bars 213 which can be used for ascent by a man and each of which is supported by braces 214 and 215 connecting the bar 213 to the uprights 211 and 212. The upper end of the ladder comprises curved branches 216 and 217 in shape hoop with a part 218 substantially extending the corresponding amount 211, a part 219 substantially perpendicular to the part 218 and an end part 221 substantially parallel to the amount 211.

The upper part of the ladder can be obtained during the manufacture of the ladder itself, i.e. bars and uprights, by following, during manufacture, the traction device and the mandrels a circuit corresponding configuration as shown in Figure 22. Such a scale can be used with particular advantages by firefighters.

Claims (14)

1. Method for the manufacture of structural members with high resistance to the forces to which they may be subjected comprising parallel cores and, interposed therebetween, helical windings formed by braiding or stranding from wires obtained of coils or shuttles, characterized in that the desired configuration for the windings results from the movements of the wire supply coils transverse to the direction of the cores. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that firstly performs a winding or part of a winding and then a winding of different direction or a part of such a winding, etc. 3. Method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, by traction, it releases lengths of son specific to the manufacture of a pitch of the framework member, then it is passed through the coils, transversely to the direction of traction, back and forth paths in correspondence of the conformation of the windings to be executed around the webs, then after manufacturing a pitch of the framework member, new lengths of wire are released in order to making another step, etc. 4. Machine for manufacturing structural members for implementing the method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, apart from means for drawing the wires and the cores out of their reels or drums, means to move the coils or shuttles transversely to the direction of traction. 5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the coils are carried by a plate perpendicular to the direction of traction. 6. Machine according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the coils move on the plate at the approach and the distance relative to the axis of traction. 7. Machine for implementing the method according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises means for first moving in a predetermined direction a coil or a group of coils and then moving in another predetermined direction another coil or another group of coils. 8. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, on the plate, a coil is driven to execute a longitudinal displacement corresponding to the formation of a straight strand of a winding or of a part of such a strand and in a direction transverse to said displacement in correspondence of the thickness of a core around which the winding is to be carried out. 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal movement. 10. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the displacement in the transverse direction results from the curved shape of the guide means of the coil. 11. Machine according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the coils are distributed in pairs animated by equipolent movements. 12. Machine according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that each reel comprises means for allowing the tensioned wire to be kept under tension and means for tending to rewind the wire. 13. Machine for implementing the method according to claim 3, characterized in that the release of the lengths of wire is effected by displacement of a collar or the like in which the wires are clamped and this by means of a suitable mandrel to reserve openings in the fabricated framework member. 14. Frame member obtained by implementing the method according to claims 1 to 3 using the machine according to claims 4 and 13.

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