Abstract: A tufting machine for selectively forming tufts of yarns, including different color or type yarns, for forming patterned tufted articles such as carpets. A series of needles are reciprocated into and out of a backing material being fed through the tufting machine and are engaged by a series of gauge parts so as to pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The gauge parts will be selectively controlled by activators to extend or retract the gauge parts to positions or elevations sufficient to pick-up or not pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The feeding of the yarns to the needles further will be controlled to back-rob yarns not picked-up by the gauge parts, while the backing feed will be controlled to enable formation of tufts at an increased rate over the pattern stitch rate for the pattern of the tufted article being formed.

Abstract: A tool module (16) comprises a module body (15) comprising at least two contact surfaces (22, 27). They are separated from one another by means of a groove (30) and one of them extends into the groove (30). A fixed and accurate fit of the tool module (16) on each bar is ensured by means of this groove. Yarn filaments or very fine dirt particles, grout or wear on the accommodations can be accommodated by the groove. In addition, a simple and failure-free assembly is ensured.

Abstract: An improved tufting knife (20) has, at a distance from its cutting edge (36), a bending joint (27) from which extends one leg (26) to the cutting edge (36) and another leg (25) to a knife bar (21). The bending joint (27) ensures that the tufting knife (20) is highly flexible and that a desired contact pressure between the tufting knife (20) and the gripper (18) is maintained largely independently of the degree of lateral flexion and/or bending of the tufting knife (20). This has a strongly wear-reducing effect.

Abstract: A tufting machine for creating cut pile carpet with two different pile heights. A knife (20) associated with a respective hook assembly (1), and is reciprocally mounted and inclined with respect thereto. Each hook assembly has upper (6) and lower (7) hooks each having a cutting edge (8, 9) at the lower edge and means (10) for selectively directing the yarn onto one of the upper and lower hooks. The knives (20) each have a single cutting edge (21) arranged to co- operate with both the upper (6) and lower (7) hooks to cut each loop of yarn seized by a respective hook assembly with a scissor action. Relief (22) is provided between the knife and the lower hook allowing the knife to clear the lower hook (7) when the knife cutting edge (21) approaches the upper hook cutting edge (8).

Abstract: In order to reduce or to prevent wear on the tufting gripper (16) at the contact point with the tufting needle (18), an additional insert 28 is provided in addition to a wear-resistant cutting insert (27), said additional insert (28) being directed at interacting with the tufting needle (18). Said additional insert consists of a material that, paired with the tufting needle (18), forms an optimal sliding combination. Preferably, the additional insert (28) is a soft needle-saving insert. Preferably, the cutting insert (27) is a hard wear-resistant insert. The two inserts (27, 28) may be accommodated separately in different pockets (36, 37) or together in one pocket (31). They may be connected with each other or be made in one piece.

Abstract: A gripper (3) for tufting machines comprising a slider (18) that is supported in a gripper body to be movable in longitudinal direction and that is arranged in a slider receiving space (17) which, preferably, is configured as a slit. The slit extends from the lower narrow side (12) of the gripper body (4) into the gripper body. The slit is limited by two thin walls (19, 20) or, alternatively, by only one thin wall (20). A cutting edge insert receiving space 39 is provided above the slider receiving space (17), with the receiving space (39) extending from the flat side (9) end being recessed in the gripper body (4). Between the cutting edge insert receiving space (39) and the slider receiving space (17), a strip (40) is provided that preferably extends in longitudinal direction of the gripper body (4) and separates the receiving spaces (39, 17) from each other.

Abstract: A gripper device in accordance with the invention comprises a gripper (3) and a counter knife element (4) that are fabricated separately and joined. As a result of this, optimal material combinations are possible, which will deal with both types of wear, namely between the gripper (3) and the tufting needle (5), on the one hand, and between the knife (6) and the counter knife element (4), on the other hand. The gripper module (1) accommodates the counter knife element (4), which, in turn, supports the gripper (3). The two parts may be joined by caulking, cementing, riveting, screwing or similar measures, or they may be cast together in the gripper module (1). The cutting of the loop is done exclusively between the counter knife element (4) and the knife (6).

Abstract: A replaceable gauging element assembly includes a series of gauge modules mounted in spaced series along a gauge bar. The gauge modules each include an upper section having a front face, an intermediate section and a lower section. A series of slots are formed in the front face of the gauge modules for receiving a series of gauge parts therein, with the gauge parts releasably secured within the modules by one or more fasteners. Access openings are formed in the modules for facilitating removal of broken gauge parts from the slots.

Abstract: A modular gauging element assembly for a tufting machine is provided that allows for broken and damaged gauging elements of the tufting machine to be replaced. The modular gauging element assembly includes a series of gauge modules each having a module body including a series of spaced slots in which gauge elements are received. Locating devices help position the gauge modules along their gauge bars, after which the gauge modules can be mounted in place by fasteners received through the gauge modules.

Abstract: A hook module assembly for a tufting machine is provided that allows for broken and damaged hooks of a level cut loop tufting machine to be replaced. The hook module assembly includes modular blocks having a series of slots in which level cut loop hooks are received. Locking mechanisms secure the hooks within their respective slots in the modules and allows for removal of individual hooks from the module as needed for repair and replacement.

Abstract: A hook module assembly for a tufting machine is provided that allows for broken and damaged hooks of a level cut loop tufting machine to be replaced. The hook module assembly includes modular blocks having a series of slots in which level cut loop hooks are received. Locking mechanisms secure the hooks within their respective slots in the modules and allows for removal of individual hooks from the module as needed for repair and replacement.

Abstract: A tufting machine modular gauge assembly that allows damaged or broken gauge elements to be replaced individually. The modular gauge assembly consists of a gauge bar with a plurality of modular blocks removably attached to the bar. The modular blocks are six sided with a detent and fastener mechanism for attaching the block to the gauge bar. The gauge elements may be attached to the block by dedicated screw-pins or by a securing pin that passes through all the gauge elements within a block.

Abstract: Lateral pins are used to provide a tufting machine modular gauge assembly that allows damaged or broken gauge elements to be replaced individually. The modular gauge assembly consists of a gauge bar with a plurality of modular blocks removably attached to the bar. The modular blocks are six sided with a detent and fastener mechanism for attaching the block to the gauge bar. The gauge elements may be attached to the block by dedicated screw-pins or by a lateral pin that passes through all the gauge elements within a block. The lateral pin may either pierce the gauge elements or abut the gauge elements. Abutting pins may be malleable and segmented and secured in position by conical ended bolts.

Abstract: A tufting machine modular gauge assembly that allows damaged or broken gauge elements to be replaced individually. The modular gauge assembly consists of a gauge bar with a plurality of modular blocks removably attached to the bar. The modular blocks are six sided with a detent and fastener mechanism for attaching the block to the gauge bar. The gauge elements may be attached to the block by dedicated screw-pins or by a securing pin that passes through all the gauge elements within a block.

Abstract: Lateral pins are used to provide a tufting machine modular gauge assembly that allows damaged or broken gauge elements to be replaced individually. The modular gauge assembly consists of a gauge bar with a plurality of modular blocks removably attached to the bar. The modular blocks are six sided with a detent and fastener mechanism for attaching the block to the gauge bar. The gauge elements may be attached to the block by dedicated screw-pins or by a lateral pin that passes through all the gauge elements within a block. The lateral pin may either pierce the gauge elements or abut the gauge elements. Abutting pins may be It malleable and segmented and secured in position by conical ended bolts.