Abstract: A harness frame for use in weaving machines includes a generally rectangular frame formed by top and bottom slats attached to side members. Heddle rods are carried by the slats wherein heddles are placeable onto or removable from at least one end of the heddle rods. A slide member is disposed on the side member adjacent at least one of the heddle rods. The slide member is movable on the side member between an open position wherein the slide member is displaced from the heddle rod so that the heddles can be slid on or off of the heddle rod, and a closed position wherein the slide member abuts against,the heddle rod and prevents heddles from being slid off of the heddle rod.

Abstract: A heddle support rod for use in a heddle frame includes a first vertical segment along one of the longitudinal edges of the rod. The first vertical segment defines a first vertical front face. A second vertical segment is disposed along an opposite longitudinal edge of the support rod and defines a second vertical face. The first and second vertical faces are essentially parallel and laterally off-set a predetermined distance so that an attaching device, such as a rivet, can attach the support rod to the heddle frame assembly in the area of the second vertical segment. The offset distance is provided so that the protruding head of the attaching device or rivet is not more than flush with the front face of the first vertical segment that engages within a rod slot of a conventional J-type heddle.

Abstract: A heddle frame has a pair of laterally extending slats and a pair of end braces connected to the slats to form a generally rectangular frame. An elongated opening is defined at least in the ends of the slats, and typically throughout the slat. A locking mechanism is configured to lock the end braces to the slats and typically includes a device housed at least in part within the slats. A corner sleeve member is adhesively fixed on the slats at the ends thereof directly adjacent to the end braces to structurally reinforce the slats at the position of the locking mechanism.

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

Abstract: A reinforced heddle frame slat and method are disclosed which includes a hollow frame slat in which a narrow slit (42) is first made in a bottom wall (38) of the frame slat. A pair of halves of material (44, 46) formed on each side of the slit are then folded back by a punch. The folded halves provide a double thick reinforcing wall around a periphery of a drive slot opening (A) which make the drive slot reinforced and safer to handle. The drive slot opening is dimensioned to receive a drive member (28) which makes a drive connection with a pushrod block (26).

Abstract: A heddle frame 10 for a loom is disclosed which includes an extruded, light frame slat 12 and heddle rod 20 construction wherein a hardened metal cap B is received over outer free ends 40, 42 of the heddle rod 20. Cap B includes rear and forward wear surfaces 44, 46 which protrude past planar surfaces 30, 32 of a web portion 26 to take the wear and hold the opposing interior surfaces of the end slots 24a, 24b of the heddles 24 out of contact with the soft material of the web portion. Cap B is formed of resilient legs 58, 60 which provide a mechanical clamp when received over the free ends of the heddle rod.

Abstract: A heddle rod 16, 42, 44 is disclosed constructed of metal outer layer A and dissimilar metal and/or non-metal core B whereby most impact and wear of the heddle rod with the eye 20 of an associated heddle 18 is taken by the side edges 52, 54 of metal bars A while core B of different elasticity reduces transmission of noise. The overall structure has a high bending resistance and structural integrity to withstand the rigorous forces encountered during shedding on a loom. Other arrangements are provided offering other advantageous constructions.

Abstract: An encapsulated shuttle grip (B) is disclosed as including a molded housing (28) which co-operates with a shelf cut (C, C') in shuttle block (A) to interlock the shuttle grip positively and firmly in place. Compressible protrusions (58) carried on molded side wall ribs (54, 56) are compressed in lateral side cut grooves (66, 68) to resist rotation of gripping jaws (14, 16) about the axis of attachment bolt 38 during weaving and bobbin transfer along with other molded structural features of the molded housing 28.

Abstract: An adjustable wraparound sleeve A member is disclosed for attaching a center brace 26 between top and bottom frame slats 16, 18 on a heddle frame 10 of a loom. The sleeve member may be adjusted longitudinally on the frame slat and set in place by means of locking members 56 having means C for access from above each sleeve member 30, 32 with respect to vertical arrangement of the heddle frame 10 on the loom. The locking members 56 clamp the top and bottom frame slats 16 and 18 between block elements 44 and 50 in each sleeve member 30, 32. Each block element 44, 50 is threaded to receive locking members 56 from the top of either slat so that the sleeve member A may be interchangeably used on either slat.

Abstract: A guide device A is disclosed for attachment to a heddle frame to space and align adjacent heddle frames on a weaving loom during shedding which includes a pair of guide legs 26 and 28 which pivot from a guide position to a folded position for accommodating placement of the heddle frame on an automatic warp threading machine.

Abstract: A counter for counting the dents of a loom reed including a housing having a relatively smooth bottom surface for allowing the housing to be manually slid over the dent of a reed for counting the dents. A light beam is directed by means of a fiber optic member onto the dent and is reflected back through a fiber optic bundle carried coaxially of the first fiber optic member to trigger a transistor responsive to each reflected signal. Operational amplifiers produce pulses responsive to the triggering of the transistor which are counted by a counter and displayed by a light display member.

Abstract: A nose guide device is disclosed for a heddle frame of a weaving loom which operates as a guide to maintain adjacent heddle frames separated during shedding wherein ends of a front and back side of the device are split and uniquely constructed to interlock with an open slot in a frame slat of the heddle frame for quick and convenient installation and removal.

Abstract: A lease rod for textile apparatus including weaving looms and drawing in machines is disclosed comprising central enlongated hollow metal tube with inserted end tips preferably of molded synthetic plastic material the ends of the tube being disposed at an angle for engagement of complemental surfaces, the angular disposition of the engaging surfaces facilitating insertion into the system of warp threads to be separated and reducing the tendency of the threads to catch at the intersection and the end tips decreasing in thickness while spreading and with rounded surfaces to facilitate insertion into the thread systems.

Abstract: A bobbin for use in a shuttle having a shuttle spring provided with grooves therein for receiving the rings of the bobbin. The bobbin has a resilient sleeve provided on a reduced diameter portion of the butt end. The sleeve has grooves provided therein for receiving the rings. Vibrations between the shuttle and the bobbin are minimized by the resilient sleeve thus reducing the wear of the shuttle spring.

Abstract: Heddle frames are disclosed having heddle supporting rods with provisions to resist impact and for reduction of wear and abrasion and for noise reduction, this being accomplished by using a heddle rod with synthetic plastic material at the impact and wear surfaces or a heddle rod of such synthetic plastic material. The heddle rods in long frames may be supported intermediate their ends, and the heddles have C-shaped end eyes or closed end eyes depending upon the requirements of the particular installation.

Abstract: A heddle frame for looms for weaving is provided having a readily attachable and removable brace for the frame intermediate its ends for preventing distortion of the top and bottom rails, the brace being of synthetic plastic material and/or metal with connectors at the top and bottom. The brace is particularly adapted for heddle frames which are supported and actuated by the bottom rail.

Abstract: A heddle frame is disclosed for use with weaving machines such as Sulzer or others which includes an extruded upper frame rail and an extruded lower frame rail connected at their ends by side struts, the upper and lower frame rails having heddle rods affixed thereto for carrying heddles therebetween, the lower frame rail having a push rod block or bushing therewithin which is engaged from below by a push rod. The push rod block or bushing is carried in the lower frame rail near its neutral axis.

Abstract: A heddle frame for weaving looms is disclosed having heddle supporting rods detachably carried by the top and bottom rails of the heddle frame, the rods being made in a plurality of interengaging sections.

Abstract: A quill or bobbin for holding a supply of yarn wound thereon in overlapping layers having an elongated barrel and an enlarged butt end integral therewith. The entire quill is molded utilizing a mixture of thermoplastic material and a blowing agent. A substantial portion of the barrel is solid and has a hardened surface with a less dense interior center core defined by set microscopic bubbles. An axial bore extends through the butt end of the quill and a dense hardened interior surface encompasses the bore.