Abstract: An improved reed for weaving machines includes upper and lower channel members having an outer width and an inner channel width. A plurality of spaced apart dents have end portions held in the upper and lower channel members. Each of the dents comprises an upper leg portion adjacent to the upper channel member and a lower leg portion adjacent to the lower channel member wherein the lower leg portion has a width greater than the width of the upper leg portion.

Abstract: A reed assembly for use in a textile loom includes a plurality of individual dents held in a top channel and a bottom channel. The reed has a length defined by the ends of the top and bottom channels. The bottom channel is rigidly mounted in a slay for reciprocating movement. A brace member is mounted to the top channel. The brace member defines a recess corresponding essentially to the width and depth of the top channel so as to contact and extend along opposite sides and wrap around the end of the top channel. The brace member may include a vertical portion extending to and contacting with the bottom channel.

Abstract: A slay and reed assembly for use on textile machines includes a reed having dents disposed in an upper and lower channel. A reciprocating motion slay with clamping device is used to carry the reeds and moves the reeds towards and away from a fabric fell line wherein the dents beat-up filler yarns into the fabric fell line. The clamping device includes a recess for receiving the lower channel of the reed. The recess has an essentially vertical front face that is at an angle of essentially 90.degree. with the fabric fell line when the slay is in the beat-up position. The reed is received within the slay so that the dents are disposed to form an angle greater than 90.degree. with respect to the fabric fell line when the slay is in the beat-up position and the vertical front face of the clamping device is perpendicular to the fabric fell line.

Abstract: A heddle frame for supporting a plurality of heddles includes a top rail and a bottom rail extending longitudinally relative to the frame. End members connect the top rail and bottom rail so as to form a generally rectangular frame structure. A center brace extends between the top rail and the bottom rail at a position between the end members. A locking clamp block is attached to the bottom rail. The clamp block defines a first section and a second section which is movable towards the bottom rail relative to the first section. The clamp block defines a threaded hole through the first and second sections. The portion of the threaded hole through the second section becomes misaligned when the second section is tightened or drawn in the direction of the bottom rail while the first section of the clamp block remains stationary. This misalignment of the threaded hole portions securely locks the center brace within the clamp block.

Abstract: A heddle frame which has a pair of rectangular hollow metal cross rails, a pair of heddle bars associated with the cross rails for supporting heddles and a pair of end braces connected to said cross rails and said heddle bars and two or more connections between the cross rails and the heddle bars intermediate the end braces. The connections between the heddle bars and the cross rails comprise a hanger which may be formed of a synthetic polymeric material which is rigid, has a first portion which extends into an opening in the bottom of the hollow cross rail, and a second portion which is attached to the heddle bar. The upper portion of the hanger has a closed rectangular opening extending through it into which is fitted a metal insert of substantially the same thickness as the upper portion of the hanger.

Abstract: A heddle frame having a pair of hollow laterally extending cross rails and a pair of end braces connected to adjacent ends of said cross rails to form a rectangular frame. The connection between the end braces and the laterally extending cross rails comprise a projection which extends at right angles from the end brace and fit into an elongated opening within the hollow cross rails. The projection has a width which is less than the width of a opening into which it extends and includes means for resiliently connecting the projection to the walls of the hollow rail to provide a connection between the end brace and the cross rail which is rigid when not under stress but permits limited relative movement between the cross rails and the end brace whenever the cross rails are under stress.

Abstract: Lifting heddles A and B are disclosed as including interfitting heddle elements C and D of which C is a female heddle element and D is a male heddle element. C-shaped rod slots E and F are formed in the ends of heddle element D. Slots E, E' are formed in the ends of female heddle element C. Slot E' includes an extended upper slot portion 86 which receives a reduced neck 98 of the shank 40 of male heddle element D. A shoulder 100 of the male heddle element interfits with a ledge 92 of slot E' of the female heddle element. Interfitting slots E' and F form a resultant C-shaped slot which corresponds in shape to opposing juxtaposed end slots E and F providing mobility of the lifting heddles A and B on the heddle frame avoiding sectionalization thereof.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced construction and method for a loom shuttle is disclosed which includes a plurality of layers 26, 28, 30 of a reinforcing fabric F laminated with conventional layers 18 across a section of the yarn eye slot E formed in the shed side wall 12 of the shuttle. The reinforcing fabric F includes reinforcing fibers, preferably Kevlar, woven in the filling direction which are oriented along the height of the side wall reinforcing the yarn eye section. The side wall is effectively reinforced against splitting caused by forces imparted by the actions of the picker stick and shuttle box on the loom.

Abstract: A reed A for a loom is disclosed which includes a front row B of dents 30 on the beat-up side of the frame and a back row C of dents 34 staggered in alignment with dents 30. An upper support bar D and lower support bar E support the dents 30, 34 in the reed. Upper support bar D includes mounting bars 42, 44 which are reduced in height compared to a main bar element 40 such that dents 34 have a greater free height in the reed than dents 30 rendering them more flexible. Upper support bar D which is on the free unclamped side of the reed during beat-up is thus rendered lighter than lower support bar E which is on the clamping side to reduce inertial loading on the frame. The front reed dents will offer a strong reed to the beat-up. Since the back reed is required only to separate the adjacent warp ends it is made as flexible as possible by increasing the height.

Abstract: A rod hook device C, D is illustrated for holding and supporting a heddle rod 18 on a heddle frame 10 which includes a resilient slot B in which the rod is squeezed and held. Slot portion B is carried by a resilient neck A which flexes laterally to align a diagonal opening 40 of slot B in alignment for receiving the heddle rod. Return of neck A to an upright position squeezes rod 18 behind slanted protuberances 42 and 44 which define opening 40.

Abstract: An assembly and method for a heddle frame A for a weaving loom is disclosed wherein the heddle rod 20 upon which the end eyes of the heddles H are hooked and travel is more securely and reliably attached to the slat 12 of the heddle frame. The assembly and method includes a plurality of studs 24 having a uniform effective rivet length welded at spaced intervals to the rod 20 which are then inserted into countersink openings 28 in the ledge 18 of the slat 12 and headed therein for a more accurate and reliable rivet connection. The face 20a of the heddle is smooth and completely unbroken to reduce wear between the heddles and rod.

Abstract: An encapsulated shuttle grip for use in shuttles for holding bobbins in a properly aligned position during weaving. The grip includes a pair of opposed leaves which have opposed gripping jaws for receiving a butt end of a bobbin. Inner shank portions of the leaves are imbedded in a molded housing with the gripping jaws extending outwardly from the housing. The molded housing extends around the remote sides of the inner shank portions and in the space provided between the shank portions positively positioning the gripping jaws for receiving the butt end of the bobbin.

Abstract: Apparatus for reinforcing a heddle frame slat of a weaving loom is disclosed wherein reinforcing side plates are provided on opposing sides of frame slats of the heddle frame in an area wherein a drive connector is connected with the frame slats which support and reciprocate the heddle frame during shedding and wherein slats and a portion of the plate means are made to contact and provide a reinforced wear surface for the drive connector as well as make rigid integral connection with a latch carried within the interior of the frame slats which engages with the drive connector.

Abstract: A rod hook device is disclosed for a heddle frame of a weaving loom for connecting a heddle rod to a frame slat of the heddle frame wherein the rod hook device includes a base portion receivable in a longitudinal groove formed in the frame slat provided with unique biasing means which facilitate sliding of the base in the groove while providing a tight engagement between shoulder means formed on the base portion and projections formed in the groove.

Abstract: A heddle frame has a pair of laterally extending slats and a pair of end braces connected to the slats to form a rectangular heddle frame. Each of the connections between the slats and the end braces includes an elongated opening defined within the end of the slat. The end brace includes an inwardly directed expansion foot configured on and extending essentially perpendicular from the end brace and having a width so as to be slidable within the elongated opening of the slat. A releasable locking member is configured to lock the extension foot within the slat in a locked position and to release the end brace from the slat in a released position, the locking member is disposed through the extreme outward edge of the slat and extends into the elongated opening of the slat. In one embodiment, the end brace is secured directly to the slat by a threaded bolt extending through the extreme outward edge of the slat.