Tufting machine and method
OwnerJohn H. Beardeninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for using a tufting machine to produce athletic turf bearing precise graphic tuft patterns at a high throughput rate is disclosed. The utilized machine includes tenter frame and a series of tufting frames upon which tufting head components are mounted. The entire length of a piece of backing material is wrapped around the tenter frame, and the tenter frame circulates the backing past the tufting frames, and the tufting head components are shifted as may be necessary to form a desired graphic tuft pattern.
Claims10
A method for tufting yarn into an elongate backing according to a graphic design using a tufting machine comprising a tenter frame and a tufting head, the method comprising:
- attaching the length of the backing to the tenter frame;
- advancing the backing along the tenter frame so that the backing circulates past the tufting head;
- and
- inserting yarn tufts into the backing in coordination with its advancement so that tuft rows are formed therealong.
A method for tufting yarn into an elongate backing sheet according to a graphic design, the method comprising:
- wrapping the backing around an endless conveyor, wherein a portion of the conveyor is disposed within a tufting zone;
- rotating the conveyor incrementally so that the backing revolves through the tufting zone;
- and
- inserting yarn tufts into the backing in coordination with its incremental movements so that yarn rows are formed therealong.
A tufting machine for tufting yarn into an elongate backing material according to a graphic design, the tufting machine comprising:
- a row of tufting needles arranged transverse to the direction of the backing, the needles being configured to reciprocate in order to insert yarn into the backing;
- a tenter frame configured to engage the backing, move it along longitudinal and vertical paths, and inhibit it from moving laterally, wherein the tenter frame comprises:
- a pair of laterally spaced, endless chains that each have a horizontal upper reach, a horizontal lower reach and opposing generally vertical reaches;
- gripping means disposed along the chains and configured to engage the backing and keep it laterally stable;
- and
- drive and sprocket means for imparting movement to the chains and thereby move the engaged backing relative to the needles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.