Patents by Inventor Brian K. Lovelady

Brian K. Lovelady has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10167585
    Abstract: A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of four or more colors of yarn at sufficient stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors at any location on the carpet, and utilizing natural tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady, Paul E. Beatty, Michael R. Morgante, Jeff Smith
  • Publication number: 20170254007
    Abstract: A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of four or more colors of yarn at sufficient stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors at any location on the carpet, and utilizing natural tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady, Paul E. Beatty, Michael R. Morgante, Jeff Smith
  • Patent number: 9663885
    Abstract: A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of four or more colors of yarn at sufficient stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors at any location on the carpet, and utilizing natural tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady, Paul E. Beatty, Michael R. Morgante, Jeff Smith
  • Patent number: 9556548
    Abstract: A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of the same sequence of colored yarns on front and rear staggered needle bars to yield sufficient gauge stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors et, and utilizing optimized tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady, Paul E. Beatty, Michael R. Morgante, Jeffrey D. Smith, Jason Daniel Detty
  • Patent number: 9487897
    Abstract: A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of the same sequence of colored yarns on front and rear staggered needle bars to yield sufficient gauge stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors et, and utilizing optimized tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: T{dot over (u)}ftco Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady, Paul E. Beatty, Michael R. Morgante, Jeffrey D. Smith, Jason Daniel Detty
  • Publication number: 20160069010
    Abstract: A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of the same sequence of colored yarns on front and rear staggered needle bars to yield sufficient gauge stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors et, and utilizing optimized tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady, Paul E. Beatty, Michael R. Morgante, Jeffrey D. Smith, Jason Daniel Detty
  • Publication number: 20140283724
    Abstract: A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of four or more colors of yarn at sufficient stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors at any location on the carpet, and utilizing natural tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady, Paul E. Beatty, Michael R. Morgante, Jeff Smith
  • Patent number: 8240263
    Abstract: A method of tufting novel loop pile carpets is provided to allow the use of four or more colors of yarn at sufficient stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors at any location on the carpet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady
  • Patent number: 8082861
    Abstract: A tufting machine is provided with two transverse rows of needles, one row being associated with transverse row of loopers and the other second row of needles being associated with a transverse row of gated hooks. Novel and low pile height tufted fabrics can be created with this configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Lovelady, Michael L. Kilgore
  • Publication number: 20090056606
    Abstract: A tufting machine is provided with two transverse rows of needles, one row being associated with transverse row of loopers and the other second row of needles being associated with a transverse row of gated hooks. Novel and low pile height tufted fabrics can be created with this configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Brian K. Lovelady, Michael L. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 6279497
    Abstract: A looper and needle configuration with lower set rear needles and corresponding loopers is provided to create more uniform low pile height yarns in a multiple pile height fabric. The tufting and tip shearing such fabrics will simulate woven fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventor: Brian K. Lovelady
  • Patent number: 6014937
    Abstract: A tufting machine with two rows of needles may be mounted staggered relative to each other on a single needle bar is provided with a single row of loopers cooperable with either or both rows of needles. The rows of needles are longitudinally spaced by a relatively narrow distance. Hollow ground loopers are used in conjunction with maximum target area needles and a needle plate with a serrated edge rather than needle plate fingers, to improve the operation of the tufting machine, particularly when the rows of needles are spaced transversely at a relatively fine gauge. This permits the efficient operation of a fine gauge tufting machine in which rows of needles can be shifted in distances of the composite needle gauge thereby improving finish, reducing backstitch yarn, increasing machine speed, and even reducing wasted face yarn when used with fixed yarn feed mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventor: Brian K. Lovelady
  • Patent number: 5605107
    Abstract: A single or multiple needle bar tufting machine provided with loop forming fingers above the substrate or base fabric is used to form variable gauge fabrics by laterally shifting the needles during tufting. In this manner rows of loop stitches are formed over the loop forming fingers on the face of the substrate and rows of pile loops are formed on the back side. A variety of novel fabrics and fabrics simulating patterns heretofore only made on looms and knitting machines can be manufactured by utilizing such a tufting machine in connection with yarn feed pattern control devices, pattern control needle bar positioners, and a controllable fabric feed. The resulting fabrics offer many advantages including lower stitch rates, better substrate coverage, less resistance to sliding traffic, increased abrasion resistance, and improved draping characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Burlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Paul Padgett, III, Brian K. Lovelady
  • Patent number: 5575228
    Abstract: A single or multiple needle bar tufting machine is provided with loop forming fingers above the substrate or base fabric and by laterally shifting the needles during tufting, rows of loop stitches are formed over the loop forming fingers on the face of the substrate and rows of pile loops are formed on the back side. Methods are disclosed for utilizing this machine in connection with yarn feed pattern control devices, pattern control needle bar positioners, a controllable fabric feed, to create a variety of novel fabrics and fabrics simulating patterns heretofore only made on looms and knitting machines. The resulting fabrics offer many advantages including lower stitch rates, better substrate coverage, less resistance to sliding traffic, increased abrasion resistance, and improved draping characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Tuftco, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Paul Padgett, III, Brian K. Lovelady
  • Patent number: 5560307
    Abstract: A single or multiple needle bar tufting machine provided with loop forming fingers above the substrate or base fabric is used to form variable gauge fabrics by laterally shifting the needles during tufting. In this manner rows of loop stitches are formed over the loop forming fingers on the face of the substrate and rows of pile loops are formed on the back side. A variety of novel fabrics and fabrics simulating patterns heretofore only made on looms and knitting machines can be manufactured by utilizing such a tufting machine in connection with yarn feed pattern control devices, pattern control needle bar positioners, and a controllable fabric feed. The resulting fabrics offer many advantages including lower stitch rates, better substrate coverage, less resistance to sliding traffic, increased abrasion resistance, and improved draping characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Burlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Paul Padgett, III, Brian K. Lovelady