Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, the triaxial fabric is adapted for use as a needlepoint canvas with the yarns forming the fabric being defined in three sets of the yarn courses with the courses within each set being parallel. The courses of each set are angular to the courses of the other two sets, usually at a 60.degree. angle with the courses from all three sets commonly intersecting at a plurality of points in a repetitive pattern over the fabric. Preferably, in one embodiment, one of the sets is at all intersecting points sandwiched between the yarn courses of the other two sets. In an alternate fabric construction the courses of one set are hidden substantially totally by the courses of the other two sets. In this alternate arrangement the other two sets have more courses than the hidden set over a given area.

Abstract: A fixed cam located between a circular yarn guide and a continuous line of yarn separators moving around a substantially linear closed path is shaped to maintain substantially constant the length of warp strands moved laterally between the circular yarn guide and any of the yarn separators.

Abstract: An endless power transmission belt, method of making same, and drive system using same are provided wherein such belt has a portion which has a plurality of spaced belt elements defined by alternating projections and recesses and a triaxial fabric bonded against the elements which defines an abrasion-resistant exposed surface of the elements with the triaxial fabric also minimizing shearing stresses in each element due to the isotropic character of such fabric which provides improved load distribution therethrough as well as improved tear resistance thereof. The belt may have elements in the form of load-transmitting teeth with the triaxial fabric having three sets of yarn courses in which one of the three sets is substantially protected by the two other yarn sets and the one yarn set provides reinforcement of the teeth after substantial wear of the two other yarn sets resulting in an increased service life for the belt.

Abstract: A manually operated loom for the weaving of two and/or three thread fabrics of various designs wherein the warp threads are individually detachably mounted and guided in opposed, axially movable arrays on parallel axes for circulation of the warp threads in clockwise or counterclockwise directions, each pair of opposed warp threads being held substantially parallel with adjacent pairs to the vertexes formed by serrations in an angularly positionable main guide running parallel to the axes of the arrays, means for reciprocating the arrays toward and away from each other to interchange the positions of the warp threads in each pair of opposed warp threads to form closed and open sheds respectively, means for passing a weft thread through a shed and an axially movable, angularly positionable control guide running parallel with the main guide for positioning a weft thread over the main guide to complete the weave and for shifting the warp threads of an array to adjacent serrations in the formation of three thread

Abstract: In a triaxial weaving machine, a finger engages the weft as it leaves the shed and moves the weft toward the fell to assure that the dents of two reeds, alternately insertable across the shed, will penetrate the shed above the newly inserted weft.

Abstract: A triaxial weaving machine of modular construction comprises separable warp supply and weaving modules to simplify manufacture and permit more efficient use of the machine. Modules of the same kind are interchangeable.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing triaxial fabrics, primarily of the type disclosed and claimed in Reissue Pat. No. 28155, comprises a vertically oriented warp yarn supply means based upon a horizontally disposed rotating creel, on which is preferably mounted a plurality of beams each supplying a plurality of warp yarn ends. Guide holders travelling on a cam-shaped track compensate for warp yarn path length changes so as to maintain path lengths from creel to weaving means relatively constant independent of angular position of an individual warp yarn in the course of the weaving process. Preferably, a multiplicity of such guides are combined on a single trolley carrier several of which are mounted at spaced intervals on the cam-shaped track, the movement of which is co-ordinated with the rotational movement of the warp yarn supply creel.

Abstract: A triaxial fabric weaving machine in which a plurality of elongate heddles for guiding warp yarns are arranged in weftwise rows and are shifted weftwise of the rows to thereby move the warp strands from one weftwise location to another. During weaving, heddles are supported by stationary guides and are moved longitudinally relative to the stationary guides for forming the warp strands into warp sheds in which wefts are inserted.

Abstract: A weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics in which heddles are positioned in weftwise rows of parallel heddles, moved longitudinally during warp shed formation, and shifted weftwise. Heddles of the weaving machine of this invention have means thereon for preventing entrance of more than one heddle into the same passageway, in the form of weftwise lateral projections for engagement with an adjacent heddle so as to facilitate proper guidance of heddles in the weftwise row into guiding passageways during longitudinal movement and weftwise shifting of the heddles.

Abstract: A weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics and which has a plurality of heddles arranged in weftwise rows for guiding warp strands, an arrangement for shifting warp strands weftwise during weaving, and a creel for supplying warp strands and for rotating in timed relation with the weftwise shifting of the warp strands. In accordance with the present invention, structure is provided for guiding warp strands passing from the creel to the heddles along substantially constant length paths and takes the particular form of a generally circular upper guide having a diameter less than the weftwise length of the rows of heddles and a lower guide arrangement substantially in weftwise alignment with the rows of heddles and yarn separators for the warp strands which move in timed relation with weftwise shifting of the warp strands and rotation of the creel.

Abstract: The entry and exit rapiers of a weft inserting mechanism in a vertical weaving machine have guide means for contacting the sheets of warp strands which form a shed during the weaving of fabric so that lateral movement of the rapiers is inhibited while they are traveling weft-wise between the sheets. One rapier also has an associated clip guide for engaging the other rapier to prevent substantial vertical divergence of the rapiers as they come together so as to facilitate transfer of the weft yarn from the entry rapier to the exit rapier.

Abstract: A weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics which has a plurality of heddles arranged in weftwise rows for guiding warp strands, an arrangement for shifting warp strands weftwise during weaving, and a creel for supplying warp strands and for rotating in timed relation with the weftwise shifting of the warp strands. In accordance with the present invention, structure is provided for guiding warp strands passing from the creel to the heddles along substantially constant length paths and takes the particular form of a plurality of elongate flexible guides defining passageways through which warp strands extend, with entry end portions of the guides being arranged generally circularly and mounted for movement in timed relation with rotation of the creel and with exit end portions arranged in weftwise rows substantially aligned with the weftwise rows of heddles and mounted for movement in timed relation with weftwise shifting of the warp strands.

Abstract: A loom includes a take-up assembly to which the forward ends of longitudinal strands are attached and a tensioning assembly to which the rear ends of the strands are connected. The tensioning assembly maintains the strands taut and further arranges the strands in a predetermined array in which a plurality of strands exist in both crosswise directions. A shedding assembly is located between the take-up assembly and tensioning assembly and includes a plurality of vertical wires which pass crosswise through the array and a plurality of horizontal wires which also pass crosswise through the array. The vertical and horizontal wires are arranged in pairs with the two wires of each pair being on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline for the array and spaced equally therefrom. Each pair of wires is supported on a single cable system having an actuator. The actuator when energized moves the cable system such that the wires either move together or spread apart.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing triaxial fabrics, primarily of the type disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 28,155, comprises a vertically oriented warp yarn supply means based upon a horizontally disposed rotating creel, on which is preferably mounted a plurality of beams each supplying a plurality of warp yarn ends. Guide holders travelling on a cam-shaped track compensate for warp yarn path length changes so as to maintain path lengths from creel to weaving means relatively constant independent of angular position of an individual warp yarn in the course of the weaving process. Preferably, a multiplicity of such guides are combined on a single trolley carrier several of which are mounted at spaced intervals on the cam-shaped track, the movement of which is co-ordinated with the rotational movement of the warp yarn supply creel.

Abstract: A weaving machine and method for making triaxial fabrics in which a plurality of elongate heddles are arranged in weftwise rows for guiding respective warp strands, for forming the warp strands into warp sheds through which wefts are inserted, and for shifting the warp strands weftwise. In accordance with this invention, heddles are engagingly received at one end of one row and are transferred to an adjacent end of another row. Preferably, transferring of heddles involves pivotal movement thereof in particular relationship to other instrumentalities of the weaving machine.

Abstract: In making triaxial fabric, the warp strands cross each other so that different positions for the beaters are required for successive insertions of weft strands. One of two beaters holds the fell until the other is ready to come down. In order to stabilize the position of the beater bar in the beat-up position, two toggle links in the beat-up linkage are maintained in aligned compression, so that the effective number of links is reduced by one.

Abstract: A triaxial fabric weaving machine and method in which a plurality of elongate heddles for guiding warp yarns are arranged in weftwise rows amd are moved longitudinally in passageways for forming the warp strands into warp sheds through which wefts are inserted. During weaving, heddles are shifted weftwise of the rows and from one passageway to another to thereby move the warp strands from one weftwise location to another.

Abstract: In a triaxial weaving machine heddles arranged in opposing rows are shifted in opposite weftwise direction with the leading heddle in each row being transferred to the trailing position in the opposite row. This invention provides means for stopping the weaving process if a heddle being transferred is not, at the end of the transfer operation, aligned with a slot to guide the heddle during a heddle shedding operation.

Abstract: A weaving machine and method for making triaxial fabrics in which a plurality of elongate heddles arranged in weftwise rows guide respective warp strands, and are transferred between weftwise rows. In accordance with this invention, mechanism for engaging heddles and for moving the same and guides extending from one end of one row to an adjacent end of another row cooperate so that heddles are engaged and moved by the mechanism and transferred between the rows. Mechanisms and guides are disclosed for accommodating transfer of heddles between substantially opposing weftwise rows lying substantially in a common plane and between substantially opposing weftwise rows spaced warpwise one from another.

Abstract: A heddle for a weaving machine for making triazial fabrics is adapted to be moved longitudinally during a warp shed forming operation and also is adapted to be shifted weftwise of the weaving machine. The heddle is characterized by having a nose portion with a warp strand guide opening extending therethrough, with means on the heddle adapted to be engaged for imparting longitudinal movement thereto, and other means thereon adapted to be engaged for shifting the heddle weftwise of the weaving machine.

Abstract: An elongate heddle for a weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics is provided with a frontal portion having a warp strand guide opening extending therethrough, with means on the heddle adapted to be engaged for imparting longitudinal movement thereto during warp shed forming operations. The heddle also has means thereon adapted to be engaged for shifting the heddle weftwise of the weaving machine, and the frontal portion of the heddle has guide means thereon adapted to aid in guiding the heddle by cooperating with an adjacent heddle during movement thereof.