Abstract: A yarn feed assembly for circular knitting machines for presenting one or more yarns chosen from a plurality of available yarns into the needle path under the control of a microprocessor. An arcuately movable sector-shaped yarn guide includes a plurality of openings therein for positioning a plurality of yarns in spaced parallel position with each other. A toggle clamp for each yarn located downstream from the yarn guide keeps the yarns taut in their normal stored position. To select a yarn for feeding to the feed station, a transfer arm selects the yarn positioned in a pickup position by the yarn guide. As the transfer arm begins to move, the corresponding toggle clamp releases, and the yarn is then fed onto its yarn feed location.

Abstract: In a circular knitting machine of the type in which the needles are selectively moved into and out of operative relationship with needle cam tracks, flexure of the lower portion of the needle shanks properly locates the lower end portions of the needle shanks in close proximity to selection devices. Such flexure is effected by a plurality of individually radially displaceable rollers. The rollers are disposed in rolling engagement with the outer surface of a flexible band which, in turn, is positioned around the needle cylinder in closely encircling relationship to the needle members at a point below and on the opposite side of a fulcrum located adjacent to and near the upper end of the needle members. As the needle cylinder rotates, the rollers are engaged by cams and displaced toward the needle shanks. The rollers thus engage and inwardly displace portions of the band and thus the needle members therebehind, effecting movement of the needles into close proximity to the selection devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air jet loom and, in particular, for controlling a loom used for weaving cloth having move than one pick range. One use of such cloth is for tire-cord fabric having a body portion having between 1 and 3.5 ppi and at least one tab portion having between 3.5 and 50 ppi. The system includes an automatic temple insertion device. The system further includes dual nozzles to automatically switches from tab to body; automatic pick spacing change from tab to body; and an automatic tension level control. The system permits multiple tabs on a roll for separating multiple body portions of the roll, providing an inspection segment per roll, and providing a cut line either by "no picks" or by changing the filling within the tab.

Abstract: An improved weft yarn control for shuttleless looms in which, as the loom reed beats the inserted weft yarn toward the fabric fell, the trailing portion of the weft yarn is caused to first move forwardly and upwardly into engagement with a stationary clamping device operated in accordance with a prescribed timed sequence. As the trailing weft yarn portion continues its forward movement, it engages a stationary yarn severing device which severs the trailing weft yarn portion from the inserted portion at or near the edge of the fabric fell. The severed trailing portion is then maintained in the path of the yarn insertion device as it moves inwardly on its next pick, whereupon it is seated therein and the timed clamping device released.

Abstract: The catch-cord selvage of a shuttleless or fluid jet loom is drawn between a pair of mating rollers having smooth surfaces under a prescribed tension that is matched to the fabric tension as it comes from the loom. The mating rollers include an idler roller which is driven by a drive roller, with the drive roller being positively driven without slippage by the fabric take-up roll. The surface speed of the drive roller is the same as the surface speed of the fabric take-up roll so that the catch-cord and the fabric are drawn from the loom at the same speed.

Abstract: A positive harness drive mechanism raises and lowers the harnesses of a weaving loom responsive to a control cam that engages the followers of a pair of actuators at all times, regardless of the stroke direction, resulting in a smoother, more controlled stroke than is available in previous devices. The cam utilized herein is a double-landed or split cam mounted on the cam shaft by a pair of clamping collars. The actuators are adjustably connected to a pair of corresponding treadles that in turn lift and lower corresponding harnesses.

Abstract: A counterweight is attached to the rocker shaft of a short sword loom diametrically opposite the lay, reed, and weft directing components to shift the center of gravity of the oscillatory elements to a position subtantially coincident with the center of gravity with a minimum of structural changes to the conventional loom configuration.

Abstract: The tape restraining shoe for a shuttleless loom includes an arcuately shaped body member having a replaceable polymeric wear strip in the sole portion thereof. The tape restraining shoe is adjustably mounted to maintain the wear strip at a prescribed distance from the underlying rapier or flexible inserting tape. The shoe is mounted on the stationary plate of the oscillating wheel by means of bolts extending through a pair of elongated slots in the upper portion of the body of the tape restraining shoe, which slots extend perpendicular to the sole portion.

Abstract: In a carrier tape for shutttleless looms the juncture of the carrier with the tape upon which it is mounted is strengthened to resist breakage by reducing the flexing stresses in the area of the tape where the tails of the carrier are joined to the tape. The aforesaid flexing stresses are reduced by tapering the tails of the conventional carriers to a contour that provides a more gradual angular convergence with the tape, and secondly, by filling the conventional bubble in the tape with a tin alloy to stiffen the bubble area of the tape and thus move the flexing stress from the area behind the carrier to the area behind the bubble where the tape is stronger.

Abstract: The selvedge trimmer of a weaving loom utilizing a short sword system is operated responsive to the arcuate reciprocal motion of the rocker shaft. A "four bar linkage" system operatively connects the rocker shaft with the cutter apparatus in such a manner that the arcuate movement of the rocker shaft is transmitted to the cutter mechanism after effecting a suitable reduction of the stroke length.

Abstract: The cam shaft of a fluid jet loom, which cam shaft normally operates the warp yarn harness frames, is disengaged from the machine drive mechanism by a clutch mechanism. The cam shaft is then rotated manually by the operator, as the machine drive is by-passed, to reposition the harness frames at a proper position such that faulty picks can be easily removed.