Device for drawing off weft thread

In a loom provided with weft thread supply bobbin means for weft thread and a warp shed into which constant lengths of weft thread are to be inserted, continuously operated draw roller means for drawing the weft thread from the supply bobbin means, fluid-pressure, weft inserting means for fluid-expressing and inserting weft thread in the warp shed, said draw roller means and said fluid-pressure weft inserting means defining a rectilinear path of travel therebetween, and continuously operated weft thread deflecting means located between said draw roller means and weft thread inserting means continuously forming a weft loop of variable size for storage and supply purposes, said weft thread deflecting means including endless belt means having a path of travel movable substantially transversely from and beyond the rectilinear weft thread path of travel between the continuously operated draw roller means and the weft thread inserting means, a deflecting member on the endless belt means movable therewith and engaging with the weft thread during movement of the endless belt means both toward and away from the rectilinear path of travel of said weft thread thereby positively controlling the variable size weft thread loop during both formation of the loop and insertion of the weft thread into the warp shed.