Abstract: For keeping knitting tools (2) in readiness and mounting them on knitting machines or other loop-forming machines, a tool holder (4) is provided, which is formed by or contains a transport rail (5). The transport rail (5) has two clamping legs (9, 11), which are parallel to one another and are provided with regularly distributed slots (16, 17). The slots firmly clamp inserted knitting tools by frictional engagement. With the knitting tools (2), the transport rail (5) forms a manipulable unit, in which when it is freely handled, the knitting tools (2) do not fall out of the transport rail (5). The pitch of the transport rail preferably matches the pitch of a needle bed of a machine to be equipped. The equipping of the machine is done by placing the transport rail on the needle bed or attaching it to it and pressing the knitting tools away, in a direction approximately perpendicular to the back portion (6) of the transport rail (5), out of their frictionally engaged mounting into their needle channel.

Abstract: A heald shaft (1) comprises at least one shaft rod (2) on which a damping element (12) is supported to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the heald. By virtue of movably supporting the damping element (12), an alignment of the healds (8) is improved and facilitated, and a desired damping effect is obtained during the entire motion course of the healds (8).

Abstract: A shed forming device (1) for a power loom has a plurality of heddle shafts, to which a drive mechanism with a plurality of servo motor groups (13, 14) is assigned. The servo motor groups are located below each of the heddle shafts (3 through 8), in each case as a cluster, and they are located with their pivot axes (27 through 32) on a circle, an ellipse, or a similar figure. They are also axially offset from one another. Each servo motor (15 through 20) is provided with a driven lever (21 through 26). The free ends of all the levers are located approximately at the center of the circle or ellipse or other figure of revolution. They are connected to the heddle shafts (3 through 8) via connecting rods (34 through 39) and form various angles with the connecting rods (34 through 39). The result is a drive mechanism with little inertia, low resilience, and little play. Very fast shaft motions can be attained in a controlled way.

Abstract: A module for textile machines has a plurality of tools (2) with retention portions (6). The retention portions are grasped in a plastic body (7), which reaches out or embraces the retention portions (6) at one or more recesses (15, 27, 28). The plastic body serves to fix the tools (2) positionally correctly with respect to one another. The positioning of the tools (2) with respective to a dividing sinker (11), however, is effected by direct contact between the retention portions (6) and the dividing sinker (11). By filling the gaplike interstices, which exist between the retention portions, with plastic, a compact yet lightweight retention region (4) for the module (1) is obtained.

Abstract: In an improved loop-forming system (1), in particular for compound needles (2), the compound needle during the knitting operation is moved along a nonlinear path. Depending on the embodiment, this path may be a loop, may include a loop, or maybe embodied without a loop. This is achieved by superimposing a transverse motion on the reciprocating needle motion; the transverse motion may be controlled for instance by a pivotably supported sinker, which is disposed in the needle track and defines the pivoting orientation of the compound needle (2).

Abstract: A shaft rod 2) according to the invention has, particularly in its mid region, a particularly low mass. The shaft rod has an upper ledge (11) and a lower ledge (12) which have a reduced thickness in the mid region of the shaft rod. As a result, the load induced by acceleration forces is significantly less in the mid region than in conventional constructions. By virtue of the reduced acceleration forces, the extent of bending of the shaft rods in the middle is less and therefore a shaft rod of such a structure is better adapted for use in very rapidly operating weaving machines.

Abstract: A novel rod linkage for driving a heddle shaft includes at least one strap (16), which for damping oscillation has a sandwich structure (37) oriented in the longitudinal direction (L) of the strap assembly (16). The sandwich structure includes at least one rigid element (27), extending in the longitudinal direction, which is joined to one end (17) of the strap assembly (16); a second rigid element (31), likewise extending essentially in the longitudinal direction, which is joined to the other end (19); and a two-dimensional damping element (34), again extending in the longitudinal direction, disposed between the first two. The element (34) exclusively effects the mechanical connection of the two parts (16a, 16b) of the strap assembly (16). Preferably, no additional connecting elements, such as rivets, screws, or other rigid connections, between the rigid elements (27, 31) are provided.

Abstract: The starting point of a new concept in a latch needle (1) is an attachment of the latch spring (22) in the sawslot (9) of the latch needle from the side of the needle back (7). For this purpose the latch needle (1) has spring-supporting pockets (19, 21) accessible from the needle back (7) or other structures adapted to receive the ends (25, 26) of the latch spring (22). The spring-supporting pockets (19, 21) are closed toward the needle back (7) at least to such an extent that the ends (25, 26) of the latch spring (22) are held in a form-locking, or at least in a captive manner in the spring-supporting pockets (19, 21). Such a latch needle has a reduced tolerance sensitivity during manufacture. The described needle concept makes possible further improvements which contribute to the operational safety and service life of the latch needle.

Abstract: In a heddle (6), the slender heddle shank (21) has been lengthened, at the cost of the end eyelets (7, 8) and the yarn eyelet region (29). This is accomplished on the one hand by shortening the end eyelet regions (7, 8) to their absolute minimum length and on the other by placing the auxiliary openings (38), which serve to transport the heddles, closer to the end eyelets (7, 8). The radii R in the region of the end eyelets (7, 8) are reduced. Instead of the usual 2 mm width, the heddle shank (21) still has a maximum width of 1.6 mm. The regions (14, 13) of the heddle (6) that protrude past the end openings still have, instead of the usual length of 4 mm, a length of 2.5 mm to 3 mm. Directly around the yarn eyelet (33), the heddle has a width which, as before, is equivalent to twice the width of the yarn eyelet (33). However, the length of this region is shortened to a maximum of twice to three times the yarn eyelet width.

Abstract: A heddle shaft (1) with heddles (3) that are supported with little play or free of play has at least one heddle support rail (7), which is supported movably for elastically tensing the heddles (3) as a whole, or has at least one movably supported part (55). A spring means (16, 56) serves to exert a tensing force on the heddle head (5) of each heddle (3) for supporting that heddle without play. This makes a high operating speed of a power loom, provided with such a heddle shaft, possible without the heddles digging into the heddle support rails and without producing excessive noise.

Abstract: The latch needle (1) of the invention has a latch (7), which is provided on its free end, on its side facing away from the hook (3), with one or more recesses (18, 19). The function of these recesses is to reduce the moment of inertia of the latch (7), which leads to an increased service life of the latch. Between the recesses (18, 19), a rib remains, whose top side functions like a skid for loops to be transferred. The indentations (18, 19) are preferably elongated depressions. However, corresponding openings may be provided as a substitute instead.

Abstract: A needle (1) according to the invention serves for the after-treatment, particularly after-needling of flat textile products, particularly for roughening of the product surface. The needle (1) is of fully symmetrical construction with respect to the central longitudinal axis (11); this applies particularly also to its barbs. The needle gauge is at least 46 and the barb depth is 0.02 mm at the most. The needle ensures a gentle, protective operation and the making of particularly fine textiles.

Abstract: A needle (1), in particular a machine knitting needle, for instance for use in circular knitting machines, has a closing member (4), which is supported both pivotably and longitudinally displaceably. The motion of the closing member is controlled externally by a control element (5). The needle (1) of the invention makes do with especially short working strokes, both for the needle (1) and for the control element (5). It is sturdy, and among other purposes it is suitable for especially fine pitches and for higher number of systems in circular knitting machines.

Abstract: An improved heddle (2), on its end eyelet (7), has a spring means (14) which braces the end eyelet (7) resiliently in at least one direction on a heddle support rail 3. The spring means (14) serves to avoid play between the heddle (2) and the heddle shaft (1). This provision makes it possible to increase the operating speed of power looms.

Abstract: In an improved loop-forming system (1), in particular for compound needles (2), the compound needle during the knitting operation is moved along a nonlinear path. Depending on the embodiment, this path may be a loop, may include a loop, or maybe embodied without a loop. This is achieved by superimposing a transverse motion on the reciprocating needle motion; the transverse motion may be controlled for instance by a pivotably supported sinker, which is disposed in the needle track and defines the pivoting orientation of the compound needle (2).

Abstract: A needle package (1), particularly for packaging needles (N), has a hold-down device (23) that is disposed in an interior space (I) and serves to secure the needles (N) in the interior space (I). The hold-down device (23) is formed, for example, by one or two resilient elements, such as clamping lips (24, 25), which extend transversely to the needles (N) through the interior space (I). The clamping lips (24, 25) are disposed on the inside of a segment of the package (1) that is moved toward the needles (N) after the package has been filled, so the clamping lips (24, 25) rest against the needles (N). The segment can be formed, for example, by a lid segment (12) that is seated to pivot on the receiving area (3) of the package (1). This package can be filled particularly simply, and is suitable for various types of needles.

Abstract: The punching die of the invention has a head 22 held by positive engagement. The head 22 is held on the shaft 21 of the die 8 in that by means of plastic deformation, for instance by radial application of pressure, material is positively displaced radially inward, so that a protrusion 28 is embodied which rests over a large area on the wall of a recess 23. A more secure, more durable force transition is assured.

Abstract: A stitch needle (10) is provided with a tip (29) which is shaped as a center punch and has no recognizable rounding at its terminus (31). The tip (29) is preferably arranged at mid height of the hook-shaped aperture (36) which is structured for capturing the yarn (13). The particular shape of the tip (29) and its positioning minimize the wear of the stitch needle (10) and also minimize damages to the yarn (13).

Abstract: The invention concerns a tufting machine having at least one needlebar, loopers, hooks to pick up yarn delivered through the needles of the needlebar, knives to cut yarn loops and driving means, with the needle action and/or the looper action and/or the hook action, and/or the knife action being a non-simple harmonic motion. In said machine the needles, the hooks, the knives and the loopers have separate drive systems. So the motion of the needles, the hooks, the knives and the loopers can be such that first of all the pickup of the yarn or the cutting of the yarn loop can be improved. When the drive system is computer controlled more accurate machine set up can be achieved. Moreover different set ups can be achieved automatically for different products. Patterning effects are also possible.

Abstract: A structuring needle for treating a fiber web by repeatedly penetrating thereinto, includes a shank, a working-part tip constituting an end of the shank and a multi-branch recess formed in the working-part tip. The multi-branch recess is composed of a plurality of generally groove-shaped branches. At least some of the branches are oriented to one another at an angle other than 180°.