Tufting needle assembly

A tufting needle assembly for use with a tufting machine, said tufting needle assembly comprising:

• a first elongate needle bar;
• and
• a first series of spaced tufting needles disposed on the needle bar, the tufting needles being spaced from one another along a first longitudinal axis extending in the lengthwise direction of the needle bar;
• each within said tufting needles comprising an elongate needle shank having a proximal end affixed to the first needle bar and a spaced distal end defining a needle tip;
• wherein at least one tufting needle within said first series is offset with respect to the first longitudinal axis and from each adjacent one of the tufting needles within said first series.

A tufting needle assembly for use with a tufting machine, said tufting needle assembly comprising:

• an elongate needle bar;
• and
• a first series of spaced tufting needles disposed on the needle bar and extending in the lengthwise direction thereof along a first longitudinal axis, each said tufting needle comprising an elongate needle shank having a proximal end carried on the needle bar and a spaced distal end defining a needle tip;
• wherein the needle tip of at least one tufting needle within said first series is offset with respect to the first longitudinal axis of the needle bar.

A tufting needle assembly, comprising:

• a mounting block;
• and
• a first series of tufting needles, each tufting needle having an elongate shank with a proximal end affixed to the mounting block and a distal end defining a needle tip;
• the tufting needles within said first series being spaced from one another along a first longitudinal axis extending in the lengthwise direction of the mounting block;
• wherein at least one tufting needle within said first series is offset with respect to the first longitudinal axis.