Device for holding weft threads for series-shed looms

A device for holding weft threads of a series-shed loom between a weft input side and a weft output side of a rotating rotor of said series-shed loom rotating in a direction of rotation from a weft thread insertion angle to a weft thread discharge angle about a central axis of rotation, said device for holding weft threads comprising:

• at least one weft thread holding device on the input side and one weft thread holding device on the output side of said rotor;
• at least one cutting device at least on the input side of said rotor for severing inserted weft threads;
• each said weft thread holding device including means for clamping at least one weft thread end whereby a weft thread is clamped at a first end on said input side and at a second end at the output side and is held between said devices;
• each said means for clamping including a support member defining a supporting surface extending substantially parallel to the central axis of rotation of said rotor of said series shed loom;
• each said means for clamping further including two endless conveyor belts laying over one another at least inside an angle .beta. of partial revolution of said rotor between said weft thread insertion angle to said weft thread discharge angle;
• said two conveyor belts guided over guide rollers so that an inlet slot for weft threads is produced in conjunction with said supporting surface;
• means moving said conveyor belts to capture said weft threads in the direction of rotation of said rotor;
• and,
• the distance of the supporting surface increasing within said angle of rotation .beta. from a distance R.sub.2 to a greater distance R.sub.3, whereby a weft thread gripped between aid clamping slots moves away with respect to the center of rotation of said rotor to said discharge angle with respect to said rotating rotor.