Lug strap connector for looms

In a loom having an oscillating picking shaft and a picker stick mounted for oscillation in a first vertical plane and in a second vertical plane which is at a right angle to said first vertical plane, connecting mechanism comprising:

• (a) a pick arm mounted for oscillation in said first vertical plane, one of the pick arm being fixed to the picking shaft,
• (b) a lug strap, one end of which is mounted on the picker stick,
• (c) a lug strap connector formed of flexible material having a hole extending horizontally therethrough, and in intermediate portion having a horizontal dimension which is substantially less than that of the outer and inner ends,
• (d) means for clamping the outer end of the lug strap connector to the other end of the lug strap,
• (e) a bushing slideably fitted in the horizontal hole in the lug strap,
• (f) a pivot pin extending through the bushing, and
• (g) means for clamping the bushing to the pick arm and pin so that relative motion occurs only between the lug strap connector and bushing, whereby the pivotal axis of the pivotal connection between the pick arm and lug strap connector is horizontal to allow for relative displacement of the pick arm and lug strap connector in said first vertical plane, and whereby the flexing characteristics of the lug strap connector allows for relative displacement between the picker stick and the pick arm in said second vertical plane.