Multi-color tufting machine
AssigneeAbram N. Spanel
InventorsAbram N. Spanel, P. Frank Eiland, David R. Jacobs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tufting machine having multi-color selection capability in which an improved selection means enables the selection of one of a plurality of yarns which upon selection is pneumatically transported to a tufting station where a bit-length of yarn is severed and tufted to a backing layer. The selection process comprises individual selection band-like members which, upon selection by solenoid means, engage with an oscillating shaft from which said band-like members extend tangentially. The band-like members are connected to elements which are used to engage yarn and which feed, meter and pull back such yarn when they are driven by the oscillatory shaft.
Claims19
Tufting apparatus including bit-applying means for applying tufts to a backing layer wherein the improvement comprises a yarn supply system having:
- feeding means including yarn displacement metering means;
- means for controlling said feeding means including:
- an oscillatory feeding shaft;
- a flexible feeding band member engageable with said oscillatory feeding shaft, said band member being extendable within a track to prevent unwanted flexing, said track extending to a yarn plunger for engaging yarn;
- and,
- means to cause said feeding band member to engage with said oscillatory feeding shaft enabling said feeding band member to be driven when said feeding shaft oscillates;
- and,
- pneumatic yarn transport means to transport the yarn to said bit-applying means.
In a tufting machine:
- reciprocable bit-applying means movable through a backing to and from a loading position on a selected side of the backing;
- metering means, utilizing a displacement plunger element for advancing a predetermined length of tufting material, said metering means including a flexible band member connected to said plunger element;
- driving means for said band member engageable with said band member, said band member being restrained by a track to prevent unwanted flexing of said band member so as to be reciprocable when engaged by said driving means;
- means to selectively engage said band member with said driving means;
- and
- pneumatic means for transporting said predetermined length of tufting material to said bit-applying means.
In a tufting machine:
- reciprocable bit-applying means movable through a backing to and from a loading position;
- metering means, utilizing a displacement plunger element for advancing a predetermined length of tufting material, said metering means including a flexible band member connected to said plunger element;
- driving means for said metering means including an oscillatory shaft engageable with said band member, said band member being restrained by a track to prevent unwanted flexing so as to be reciprocable when engaged by said oscillatory shaft;
- means to selectively engage said band members with said driving means;
- pneumatic means for transporting said predetermined length of tufting material to said bit-applying means;
- and,
- severing means for severing a bit-length of tufting material from said advanced, predetermined length of tufting material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.