Magnetically operated jacquard heald rod selector

A heald control system including a heald rod which is reciprocated along its longitudinal axis, the heald rod having a resiliently deflectable body portion formed from a magnetically attractable material, a retention latch formation on the body portion, the retention latch formation during reciprocation of the heald rod being moved along a path of travel between first and second limits of reciprocal movement, said path of travel having a first zone of movement in said path wherein the body portion normally travels in an undeflected position, and a second zone of movement in said path wherein the body portion travels in a deflected position, permanent magnetic means operable on the body portion during reciprocal movement of the heald rod to cause the body portion to move from the undeflected position to the deflected position as the latch formation travels from the first zone into the second zone, fixed latch means located to one side of the first zone of the path of travel to engage the latch formation on the body portion only when the body portion is in said deflected position, and an electromagnet located adjacent said path of travel so that the body portion is located in the vicinity of the electromagnet when in its deflected position, the electromagnet when energised holding the body portion in the deflected position as the latch formation moves from the second zone into the first zone of travel, thereby causing the latch formation to engage the fixed latch means.