Abstract:
A tufting machine (T) has a needle bar (11) for carrying a plurality of needles for reciprocating into and out of a base material. A sliding needle bar shift mechanism (56) may shift the needle bar (11) laterally according to a pattern. The needle bar (11) is mounted for reciprocation and for lateral movement relative to the direction of reciprocation by a drive system (10) including a first directional drive component (35, 101) having a foot (41, 104) secured to a respective push rod (26) of the tufting machine (T) and a second directional drive component (37, 102) connected to the shift mechanism (56). The first and second drive components (35, 101, 37, 102) will connect to the needle bar (11) through linear bearings or bushings so that the motion of the needle bar (11) in multiple different directions is controlled while permitting greater machine operating and needle bar shifting speeds.
Abstract:
A stitch distribution control system for a tufting machine for controlling placement of yarns being fed to the needles of the tufting machine by yarn feed mechanisms to form a desired pattern. A backing material is fed through the tufting machine at an increased stitch rate as the needles are shifted according to calculated pattern steps. A series of loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles. The yarn feed mechanisms further can be controlled so that selected loops of yarns can be back-robbed so as to be hidden from view in the finished patterned tufted article.
Abstract:
A tufting machine for selectively forming tufts of yarns, including different color or type yarns, for forming patterned tufted articles such as carpets. A series of needles are reciprocated into and out of a backing material being fed through the tufting machine and are engaged by a series of gauge parts so as to pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The gauge parts will be selectively controlled by actuators to extend or retract the gauge parts to positions or elevations sufficient to pick-up or not pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The feeding of the yarns to the needles further can be controlled in conjunction with the movement of the gauge parts, while the backing feed can also be controlled, to enable formation of tufts of yams at an increased rate over the pattern stitch rate for the pattern of the tufted article being formed.
Abstract:
A shift mechanism for a tufting machine for controlling the transverse, lateral shifting movement of a series of needles of the tufting machine across a backing material for forming a series of cut and/or loop pile tufts of yarns in the backing in accordance with a pattern. The shift-mechanism will include a motor controlled rack and pinion shift control assembly having one or more pinions, each driven by a motor, that engage and drive a rack coupled to at least one needle bar of the tufting machine, for controlling the transverse shifting movement of the needles.
Abstract:
A level cut loop looper or hook and clip assembly (10) for a tufting machine (T) includes at least one module (46, 47) carrying a series of level cut loop loopers or hooks (45). Each level cut loop looper or hook generally can include a looper body (73) along which a clip (70) is slidably moved. Each clip (70) will be moved between retracted and extended positions as the level cut loop loopers or hooks (45) are reciprocated toward and away from engagement with their associated needles (26) of the tufting machine (T). Actuators (110) can be engaged to secure the clips (70) in their extended positions as needed to selectively form cut and loop pile tufts in a backing material (B).
Abstract:
A yarn feed system, for control of the feeding of one or more yarns to the needles of a tufting machine, which can be manufactured as a substantially standardized unit or attachment removably mounted to a tufting machine includes a series of yarn feed devices each having a drive motor with a replaceable yarn feed roll drive system mounted thereto. Each yarn feed roll drive system can include a set or series of yarn feed rolls mounted within a housing and having a series of gear teeth formed thereabout, with the gear teeth of the yarn feed rolls engaged in an intermeshing arrangement so that as one of the yarn feed rolls is driven by the drive motor, the other yarn feed rolls likewise are actively driven thereby. Each of the yarn feed rolls further will include a textured roll surface that can provide for enhanced grip and control of the feeding of the yarns which are extended thereabout to the needles of the tufting machine in accordance with a tufted pattern being formed.
Abstract:
A stitch distribution control system for a tufting machine for controlling placement of yarns being fed to the needles of the tufting machine by yarn feed mechanisms to form a desired pattern. A backing material is fed through the tufting machine at an increased stitch rate as the needles are shifted according to calculated pattern steps. A series of loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles. The yarn feed mechanisms further can be controlled so that selected loops of yarns can be back-robbed so as to be hidden from view in the finished patterned tufted article.
Abstract:
A tufting machine for selectively forming tufts of yarns, including different color or type yarns, for forming patterned tufted articles such as carpets. A series of needles are reciprocated into and out of a backing material being fed through the tufting machine and are engaged by a series of gauge parts so as to pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The gauge parts will be selectively controlled by activators to extend or retract the gauge parts to positions or elevations sufficient to pick-up or not pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The feeding of the yams to the needles further will be controlled to back-rob yarns not picked-up by the gauge parts, while the backing feed will be controlled to enable formation of tufts at an increased rate over the pattern stitch rate for the pattern of the tufted article being formed.
Abstract:
A tufting machine for selectively forming tufts of yarns, including different color or type yarns, for forming patterned tufted articles such as carpets. A series of needles are reciprocated into and out of a backing material being fed through the tufting machine and are engaged by a series of gauge parts so as to pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The gauge parts will be selectively controlled by activators to extend or retract the gauge parts to positions or elevations sufficient to pick-up or not pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The feeding of the yarns to the needles further will be controlled to back-rob yarns not picked-up by the gauge parts, while the backing feed will be controlled to enable formation of tufts at an increased rate over the pattern stitch rate for the pattern of the tufted article being formed.
Abstract:
A tufting machine including spaced rows of needles for inserting yarns into a backing material. The needles are engaged by a series of cut pile hooks and level cut loop loopers or hooks that generally are arranged at spaced elevations. The cut pile hooks will engage one of the rows of needles for forming cut pile tufts of yarns in the backing material. The level cut loop loopers or hooks engage the other row of needles and each include clips. The clips are selectively moved into a position substantially blocking retention of loops of yarns picked up and/or formed along their level cut loop loopers or hooks for formation of loop and cut pile tufts of yarns in the backing material.