Heald control selection mechanism

A heald control mechanism including at least one elongate heald rod movable longitudinally between first and second limits of reciprocal motion;

• a heald rod motive means continuously reciprocating along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heald rod;
• means biasing the heald rod to normally reside at the first limit of reciprocal motion;
• the heald rod and motive means including co-operating latch means which automatically engage when the motive means moves relative to the heald rod along said path in a direction toward the second limit of reciprocal motion and which automatically disengage when the motive means moves relative to the heald rod along said path in the opposition direction;
• and
• heald rod selection control means operable to selectively isolate the co-operating latch means when the heald rod resides at said first limit of reciprocal motion and which on actuation renders active the co-operating latch means to enable the motive means to move the heald rod toward said second limit of reciprocal motion, the heald rod selection control means including a shield located adjacent to the heald rod when at its said first limit of reciprocal motion, the shield being arranged to disengage the co-operable latch means as the motive means and heald rod engaged therewith approach said first limit of reciprocal motion, the shield thereafter serving to isolate the co-operable latch means to thereby prevent said automatic engagement, the heald rod selection means further including heald rod displacement means for moving a heald rod from said first limit of reciprocal motion partially toward said second limit of reciprocal motion so as to move the heald rod to an intermediate position between said first and second limits of reciprocal motion whereat automatic engagement of the co-operating latch means can occur.