Abstract: Reciprocatory motive means is coupled with weft inserting rapier means, the movement of which into and out of the warp shed is controlled and guided by low friction swivel means which cooperates with the reciprocatory motive means in such manner as properly to position the rapier means relative to the loom lay on which the reciprocatory motive means, the rapier means and the swivel means are mounted.

Abstract: A shuttleless loom having means for sequentially forming warp sheds driven by main motive means and having rapier means driven by auxiliary motive means for inserting weft threads into the warp sheds in synchronism with the formation of the sheds is provided with disjointable coupling means arranged to couple and uncouple the auxiliary motive means and the main motive means in a manner such that the rapiers may be held out from the shed during shutdown conditions and maintained in a predetermined relationship relative to the auxiliary motive means in such manner that synchronous operation is insured when the loom is again operated.