GB1112595A - Improvements in tufting machines for making carpets and like fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

1,112,595. Tufting machines. ELLISON TUFTING MACHINERY Ltd. 16 Feb., 1967 [20 March, 1966; 14 Dec., 1966] Nos. 13625/66 and 55910/66. Heading D1G. A multi-needle tufting machine comprises a supply of a plurality of yarns for each needle, control means for selecting a particular yarn and presenting it to its associated needle during loop formation, and means for severing the yarns after loop formation. In Fig. I latch needles 3, carried by a reciprocating needle bar 4, are passed upwardly through backing fabric 2. Associated with each needle are four yarns 11 having different characteristics. The yarns pass first through a fixed head 12 comprising non-return and tensioning means, and then through respective flexible tubes 21 to 24. The latter are fast with a slidable bar 14 influenced by pattern-control means comprising fluid-pressure cylinders 16, 17, 18 and a spring 33 to position a selected tube operatively in relation to its associated needle. Also associated with each needle is a yarn gripper comprising discs 26, 27 carried by a shaft 25 and provided with respective jaws 28, 29. The arrangement is such that the jaws 28, 29 are initially directed upwardly to close upon the selected yarn. The discs 26, 27 then turn counter-clockwise through 180 degrees to lay the yarn in the hook of the risen needle, the latter then descending to carry a yarn loop through fabric 2, said loop being seized by a looper 7 carried on a slidable bar 8 reciprocated horizontally by spur gearing 9. A presser foot 31 then descends upon the yarn extending from fabric 2 to the supply, and a knife blade 32, associated with the presser foot. is actuated to sever the yarn adjacent fabric 2. Finally, discs 26, 27 turn counterclockwise to position jaws 28, 29 upwardly, and presser foot 31 ascends. A knife blade 10, carried by an oscillating bar 11, co-operates periodically with looper 7 to sever a number of loops then held thereby. In Fig. 3a, backing fabric 51 is fed upwardly over a support plate 53 and a backing bar 55. A yarn supply head 62 is shifted by control means to position a selected one of four yarns in operative relation to a forked, horizontally reciprocating needle 63. When the latter penetrates fabric 51, a gripper bar 65. having spring jaws at its upper end, moves upwardly through aligned eyes in the needle tines and a hole in a plate 70. A place 71 then moves forward to position a finger thereon between said jaws to open the latter, the jaws closing upon the selected yarn on withdrawal of plate 71. Bar 65 then descends to carry the yarn through the needles eyes a knife blade 67 co-operates with plate 70 to sever the yarn. the jaws are opened, and needle 63 retracts to carry the yarn ends through fabric 51 at spaced-apart positions.