Multi-system weaving loom with permanent magnet shuttle drive

Multi-system weaving loom having

• means for forming a shed (8);
• means for defining a straight shuttle guide path (15a) for guiding the shuttle through the shed;
• means for defining a curved shuttle guide path (15b) merging into said straight shuttle guide path;
• a guide reed (10) located adjacent said straight guide path (15a) outside of the shed for guiding movement of the shuttle through the shed;
• a plurality of magnetic shuttle moving elements (16) located adjacent the guide paths (15a, 15b) for moving the shuttles in said guide paths;
• shuttle magnetic means located on the shuttle (9) for magnetic attractive coupling with the respective magnetic shuttle moving elements;
• and
• drive means coupled to the magnetic shuttle moving elements for moving said shuttle moving elements and hence the shuttles through the shed,
• and comprising, in accordance with the invention,
• means for separating the shuttles (9) adhering to an associated shuttle moving element (19) by magnetic attractive force as the shuttle is moving through said curved guide path and adjacent the terminal ends of the guide reeds,
• said separating means permitting passage of the shuttle over the straight guide path,
• said separating means being carried by said shuttle moving elements (16) and being operated, in dependence on the instantaneous position of the shuttle moving elements upon approach of the shuttle magnetically adhered to the shuttle moving element, to the guide reed, to lift the shuttle off the shuttle moving elements by a distance necessary for operation of the shuttle lengthwise of the guide reed.