Abstract: In a loom having a weft thread supply spool at each side thereof and a shuttle whereby thread from each spool is alternately carried across the shed as a U-shaped loop, improved thread guide elements, one on each end of the batten, are actuated in consequence of movement of the batten through each of its reversal positions, at one of which the batten engages the last-laid weft thread to beat up the same and at the other of which the batten begins its return for another beating-up while the shuttle moves through the shed. Each thread guide element comprises a member mounted on the batten for bodily movement therewith and for rocking movement relative thereto. Each such member rocks between a first position wherein a thread eye thereon is located to dispose weft thread extending from its adjacent spool across the shuttle path and a second position wherein the thread eye holds the thread clear of that path.

Abstract: A weft thread carrier is disclosed for a loom with a weft thread supply at each side thereof and wherein the carrier, just before entering the shed, engages a weft thread segment that it draws into a loop while moving in the shed. Each weft thread segment extends across the carrier path obliquely to that path, from its supply through a fixed thread eye to the selvedge. The carrier has a hook projecting towards each of its ends, each capable of catching a weft thread segment, but it also has a deflecting surface for each hook, so arranged in relation to its hook that it deflects a thread segment away from the hook if the segment is at one oblique angle to the carrier path but permits the hook to engage a segment at the opposite oblique angle. Hence, as the carrier emerges from each side of the shed it merely deflects the thread segment across its path, but in moving towards the shed its then-forward hook engages the same segment.