Shedding mechanism for travelling-wave looms

In a fabric-weaving apparatus, at least a pair of systems of main heddle shafts respectively carrying heddles for receiving warp yarns, a pair of drive means respectively connected operatively with said systems of main heddle shafts for operating the latter to participate in the formation of travelling-wave sheds formed by the warp yarns, each system of main heddle shafts and drive means operatively connected thereto forming in itself part of a travelling-wave loom for weaving a fabric of a given width, said systems of main heddle shafts and said pair of drive means respectively connected operatively therewith being situated adjacent but spaced slightly from each other with at least the two adjacent heddles of the two systems of main heddle shafts in line with each other, so that a given space is formed between the pair of systems of main heddle shafts, at least one additional heddle shaft situated in the latter space, and means connecting said additional heddle shaft to at least one of said main heddle shafts of one of said systems for transmitting movement from the latter one main heddle shaft to said additional heddle shaft for operating the latter for participating in the weaving of a fabric having a width greater than the sum of the widths of the fabrics woven by both of said looms.