Abstract: A motive assembly for moving a plurality of warp yarns (32) in a loom between upper and lower shed positions, the motive assembly including a plurality of selectively controllable ultrasonic cyclic motors (10), each of which is drivingly connected to one or a group of said warp yarns (32) for moving the warp yarn(s) (32) between upper and lower shed positions.

Abstract: An electronic jacquard including a plurality of elongate heald hooks (1a, 1b) movable longitudinally between upper and lower shed positions and a plurality of electrically operable selection devices (50) for co-operation with the heald hooks (1a, 1b) for selectively retaining the heald hooks (1a, 1b) at one of said shed positions, each selection device including a latch (4a, 4b) movable between a latched position and a non-latched position, the latch (4a, 4b) when at said latched position being capable of latching engagement with the heald hook (1a, 1b) in order to retain it at said shed position, and an ultrasonic cyclic motor (55), preferably a piezo-electric motor, drivingly arranged to move the latch (4a, 4b) from its non-latched position to its latched position.

Abstract: A drive transmission assembly for transmitting motive drive between a reciprocating drive member (11) and a driven member (16) in order to move the driven member (16) between first and second limits of reciprocal movement, the assembly including a drive transmission member (20) adapted for connection to the drive member (11) and the driven member (16) in order to transmit said motive drive, a fixed stop member (22) arranged to be located within the path of reciprocal travel of said transmission member (20), the transmission member (20) including a stop (25) for abutment with said stop member (22) in order to define said first or second limit of reciprocal movement for the driven member (16), said transmisson member (20) being adapted to define a vibration isolating connection between said stop (25) and said drive member (11), whilst said stop (25) is in abutment with said stop member (22).

Abstract: A heald control selection mechanism including at least one elongate heald rod movable longitudinally between first and second limits of reciprocal motion having heald rod knives continuously reciprocating along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heald rod. The heald rod is biased to normally reside at the first limit of reciprocal motion. The heald rods and knives include cooperating latches which automatically engage when each knife 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 knife moves relative to the heald rod along said path in the opposite direction. A heald rod selection control is operable to selectively isolate or inactivate the cooperating latch when the heald rod resides at said first limit of reciprocal motion and on actuation renders active the cooperating latch to enable either knife to move the heald rod toward said second limit of reciprocal motion.

Abstract: An electrically controlled jacquard apparatus capable of selectively controlling individual warp yarns. Each warp yarn is controlled by a selector body which is engaged by at least two and preferably three parallel support members and is adapted to be reciprocated by sliding longitudinally of the support members. One of the support members is static and the other two support members are reciprocated longitudinally out-of-phase with each other. The selector body is selectively latched to the three members so as to be moved in either direction or to be supported at a static position.

Abstract: 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, during reciprocation of the heald rod, is moved along a path of travel between first and second limits of reciprocal movement. The path has a first zone of movement wherein the body portion normally travels in an undeflected position, and a second zone of movement wherein the body portion travels in a deflected position. A permanent magnet means is operable as the body portion enters the second zone to cause the body portion to move from the undeflected position to the deflected position. A fixed latch is 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 its deflected position as it travels in the first zone.

Abstract: A heald control system has a heald rod which is reciprocated along its longitudinal axis and has a resiliently deflectable body portion formed from a magnetically attractable material and a retention latch formation. During reciprocation, the heald rod is moved along a path of travel between first and second limits in a first zone where the body portion normally travels in a undeflected position and in a second zone where the body portion travels in a deflected position. A fixed cam is engageable with a cam on said body portion during the reciprocation to cause the body portion to move from the non-deflected to the deflected position during travel from the first zone into the second zone. A fixed latch is located to one side of the first zone of the path of travel to engage the latch formation only when the body portion is in said deflected position.

Abstract: A woven fabric which has been woven on a needle loom wherein the weft loops are secured by a knitted thread construction, the secured weft loops being located in board of the warp thread defining the opposite edge of the fabric to the edge whereat weft insertion has taken place and the knitted thread construction being woven between warp threads positioned adjacent opposite said edge.

Abstract: A heald rod retention device comprising an elongate body having a first body portion adapted to guide reciprocal movement of the terminal end portion of a heald rod and a second body portion provided with a first latch formation for engagement with a second co-operating latch formation on the heald rod, the heald rod being guided by the first body portion so that during reciprocation the second latch formation moves passed the first latch formation without engagement, at least one solenoid activated magnetic pole piece mounted on the second body portion and extending along the path of reciprocation of the heald rod and which on activation of the solenoid causes deflection of the terminal end portion of the heald rod during its reciprocal movement to bring the first and second latch formations into engagement, and stop means for limiting the amount of deflection of the heald rod so as to prevent contact between the heald rod and the pole piece.

Abstract: A heald rod retention device for selectively engaging the terminal end portion of a reciprocating heald rod, the retention device having an electrically activatable magnet for laterally deflecting the terminal end portion from its path of reciprocation, the magnet including north and south poles located side by side and extending along the path of travel of the heald rod so as to create a magnetic flux path across the width of the rod.

Abstract: This invention provides a yarn feed and controlling device in which a resiliently mounted yarn controlling arm including a yarn guide eye is movable from a first position in which yarn can be continuously fed to a second position in which the yarn is restrained. The device includes a yarn restraining means associated with the yarn controlling arm which serves when the yarn is in the second position to restrain the yarn by applying a clamping force thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides a loom shuttle and beat-up device including rotary means for driving the shuttle and beat-up. In one case the same rotary element serves to drive the shuttle and beat-up the weft, in an alternative two elements are used, one to drive the shuttle and the other to beat-up the weft.

Abstract: A loom shuttle having a yarn receiving chamber including yarn restraining elements in the chamber, the yarn restraining elements are so arranged as to enable yarn to be loaded without restraint and to apply restraint to the yarn as it is being withdrawn thus to prevent entanglement of the yarn during withdrawal.

Abstract: A loom patterning mechanism including a continuously movable pattern information means and pattern sensing means associated with the information means and movable synchronously therewith over at least part of a loom cycle, the sensing means serving to initiate a loom function.

Abstract: A needle loom for producing a decorative selvedge at the knitted edge of a fabric during weaving comprising a weft inserter for inserting loops of weft into a warp shed from one side, a knitting needle for securing the weft loops and movable weft loop engaging means for engaging selected weft loops and causing said selected weft loops to extend beyond the knitted edge of the fabric and forming a decorative edge.The invention also includes a method producing a decorative selvedge on the aforesaid loom.