Weaving looms having rotary shed forming drums and beat up mechanisms therefor

In a loom having a shed forming drum rotatable about a first axis, means for guiding warps around the drum to a fabric take-up mechanism, and means for inserting wefts into successive sheds as the drum rotates from a warp take-on position to a fabric take-up position, an improved beat-up mechanism including:

• fixed cam means arranged on a second axis parallel to the first axis;
• cage means having first annular portions extending around the second axis and second portions extending axially and interconnecting the annular portions, said cage means further have bar means pivotably mounted thereon, said bar means having beat-up elements and means for following said fixed cam means;
• and
• means for rotating said cage means about the second axis in synchronism with the drum,
• said cam means having a generally concentric portion which causes the cam following means of said cage means to extend the beat-up elements of said cage means generally radially and move wefts inserted on the drum to a fell, said cam means also having an inclined portion, the beat-up elements being pivoted radially inwardly with respect to said cage means contrary to the direction of rotary movement of said cage means when said cam following means is in contact with said cam means inclined portion to thereby move the beat-up up elements clear of the fell after beating up whilst said cage means continues to rotate.