Abstract: A cut pile tufting machine having cut pile hooks and cooperating knives pointing in the direction oppositely to the direction in which a base fabric is being fed includes loop pile loopers in a selective array in the same mounting bar as the cut pile hooks and also pointing in the direction oppositely to that in which the fabric is being fed. The loop pile loopers each include a yarn seizing beak having a slightly downwardly inclined rearwardly extending bottom front edge at the rear of which a yarn contacting edge extends abruptly downwardly. The yarn contacting edge engages the crotch of a loop presented by a cooperating needle as the beak enters the loop allowing the loop to be seized and then shed by the beak. The looper includes a recess in the body behind the yarn contacting edge to provide a clearance with respect to the needle eye as the beak enters the clearance above the needle eye.

Abstract: A tufting machine having loop seizing hooks facing opposite to the direction of fabric feed is disclosed having respective gate members pivotably mounted on the rear of the hooks. The gate member has a latch for selectively engaging the rear of the hook bill to lock entry of a loop into the closed end of the hook and onto the blade of the hook. Loops so precluded are shed by the hook bill as the hook rocks away from the loop seizing position and form uncut loop pile. Loops that are allowed to enter onto the blade portion are cut by a knife cooperating with the hook blade to form cut pile. The loop seizing edge of the bill is spaced from the loop engaging edge of the blade relative to the backing fabric. The gate members are disclosed as moved by pneumatic cylinders operable by electrically controlled air valves. The air valves selectively respond to timed signals received from a pattern control.

Abstract: A tufting machine having a needle bar for mounting a multiplicity of needles reciprocable into and out of a work piece. The needle bar has a longitudinally extending channel open to face the work piece for securely receiving an insert spaced from the longitudinally extending walls of the channel. The insert includes a multiplicity of grooves facing the respective longitudinally extending wall, and a needle is securely received intermediate each of the grooves and the corresponding wall.