Abstract: An apparatus for clamping an object includes a clamp with a first gripping element and a second gripping element that is connected by a pivot rod and includes a resilient element to maintain the clamp in closed position in the absence of applied pressure, and a release mechanism. An arm with a cable encased by a plurality of tubular, cone shaped segments is attached to the release mechanism, which is in turn attached to the clamp and includes either coil springs or bow springs for maintaining tension in the cable when the clamp is in a closed position, and for releasing tension in the cable when the clamp is opened.

Abstract: An electronic computer control for a hydraulic actuator for shifting a needle bar to different transverse positions in a tufting machine. The computer control directs the hydraulic actuator to be driven in response to the predetermined stitch pattern information in the computer control circuit, which determines the amount of relative tansverse shifting of the needle bar for each stitch location, in such a manner that the needle bar is shifted transversely only a needle gauge, or a multiple needle gauge, at a time and only while the needles are out of the backing fabric. The computer control also controls the velocity of the transverse movement of the needle bar in a gradual manner to minimize any shock created by the transverse movement of the needle bar upon the tufting machine.