Abstract: A cross-tufting machine and process for manufacturing carpet. The cross-tufting machine includes a sewing head and a tufting gun. The sewing head is movably mounted on support railing and a support platform is provided to support carpet that is to be provided with a tufted secondary pattern. The carpet moves in steps on top of the support platform in a machine direction and the sewing head traverses back and forth in a cross-wise direction wherein the tufting gun forms the tufted secondary pattern in the carpet.

Abstract: A cross-tufting machine and process for manufacturing carpet. The cross-tufting machine includes a sewing head and a tufting gun. The sewing head is movably mounted on support railing and a support platform is provided to support carpet that is to be provided with a tufted secondary pattern. The carpet moves in steps on top of the support platform in a machine direction and the sewing head traverses back and forth in a cross-wise direction wherein the tufting gun forms the tufted secondary pattern in the carpet.

Abstract: An individual yarn feeding apparatus (10) for compensating for variations in the feed rate of individual yarn threads due to the lateral shifting of needle bars in various selected pile heights between tufts. The individual yarn feeding apparatus (10) is positioned between the yarn beam and the needle bar of a conventional tufting machine. The apparatus (10) includes a support arm (12) carried by the tufting machine, at least one thread guide (14) disposed proximate a first end (16) of the support arm (12), and at least one feed rate control device (20) received on the support arm (12). The thread guide (14) separates the individual yarn threads as they pass from the yarn beam, through the apparatus (10) and to the needle bar. The feed rate control device (20) enables the definition of an accent yarn feed path (22) and a base yarn feed path (24).

Abstract: A tangential drive needle bar shifter for tufting machines. The tangential drive needle bar shifter includes a computer system for creating and storing selected carpet patterns and for controlling the operation of at least one motor which drives the needle bar. The motor includes an output shaft which rotates through a selected degree of rotation in a selected direction. At least one belt is driven by the rotation of the shaft to create lateral displacement of an engagement device is secured thereto. Displacement of the engagement device ultimately creates a shift of the needle bar. As the motor is actuated, the needle bar is shifted a distance proportional to the degree of rotation of the output shaft. A position locking mechanism, or indexer, is provided for preventing the needle bar from shifting farther then required and thus preventing the needles from colliding with the corresponding hooks.

Abstract: An in-line needle bar arrangement for tufting machines (10) for tufting a selected fabric. A pair of needle bars (12A,B) are provided with registered faces (20) configured to engage one another such that the needles (14) carried thereby are positioned to define a single row of needles (14). Each one of the needles (14) is substantially similar to each of the others such that only one configuration of needle (14) is required. A plurality of filaments (16) are provided, one each for one each of the plurality of needles (14). Each filament (16) is engaged by one of at least two feed control rollers (18). Each of the rollers (18) is controlled independently from the other in order to accomplish different feed rates by each. By varying the feed rate of the yarn (16), the pile height is proportionately varied, thus varying the pile height of the respective tufts.