Abstract: A compressed air system adapted for use in connection with a tufting machine having a yarn applicator adapted to penetrate a backing of a surface covering and place a stitch in the backing of the surface covering, a presser foot and a funnel block. The compressed air system comprises an air source adapted to provide air to the compressed air system, a digital presser foot injector adapted to convey compressed air to the presser foot, and a funnel block injector adapted to convey compressed air to the funnel block. The compressed air system is adapted to convey compressed air to the digital presser foot injector and the funnel block injector only when the yarn applicator is in use. The method comprises conveying air to the presser foot only when the yarn applicator is in use, and conveying air to the funnel block only when the yarn applicator is in use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the position of a knife on a tufting machine. The apparatus includes a grounded needle, an electrically-insulated knife adapted to send a knife signal, a solenoid adapted to move the knife, and a programmable logic controller adapted to send a pattern signal to the solenoid, receive the knife signal from the knife, compare the knife signal to the pattern signal, and determine if the knife is in the position prescribed by the pattern signal. The method includes providing such an apparatus, inputting the pattern signal into the programmable logic controller, sending the pattern signal from the programmable logic controller to the solenoid, sending a knife signal from the electrically-insulated knife to the programmable logic controller, comparing the knife signal to the pattern signal, determining if the electrically-insulated knife is in the position prescribed by the pattern signal.

Abstract: An adjustable pile height mechanism for producing a tufted floor covering comprising an adjustable bed plate, a cam shaft, and a plurality of eccentric cams mounted on the cam shaft so as to contact the bed plate. The cam shaft is adapted to be rotated so as to rotate the cams, and the rotational movement of the cams raises and lowers the bed plate so as to adjust the pile height of the floor covering. A method for adjusting the pile height of a floor covering further comprises the steps of loosening the presser foot bracket bolt, raising the presser foot assembly, tightening the presser foot bracket bolt, disengaging the clamp assembly, rotating the cam shaft so as to adjust the bed plate to the desired pile height, engaging the clamp assembly, loosening the presser foot bracket bolt, lowering the presser foot assembly, and tightening the presser foot bracket bolt.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding yam from a yam supply to a reciprocating needle of a multicolored patterned tufting apparatus comprising a dual yarn feeder for increased productivity of the tufting apparatus or increasing the number of different yams or both. The dual yam feeder includes two yam feeder components which are selectively and independently movable in and out of engagement with a driven roller.