Abstract: Serially flowing, conveyor-transported, horizontal sheets are sequentially dropped from a vertically fixed location atop one another onto a chain-supported stacking table incrementally lowered, by a distance equal to the thickness of a sheet, in synchronism with the rate of sheet delivery to the table. An adjustment mechanism is provided to exactly match the incremental distance of table lowering to the thickness of the sheets being stacked. A reciprocating link actuating a ratchet-type drive incrementally lowers the table, while a manual crank mechanism permits rapid raising of the table subsequent to the off-loading of a stack of sheets. The disclosed mechanism finds particular application as a pile stacker at the delivery end of an offset printing press.

Abstract: A feed table for serially conveying sheets from the stack location magazine of an offset press to its printing head is pivotally mounted at its end adjacent the magazine. The other table end adjacent the printer head is mounted to the printer head housing by a spring-biased release mechanism that can be actuated by a release knob external of the housing to drop the table to a lower position to facilitate access to the interior of the printer head housing. Upward lifting of the printer head adjacent-end of the table by the press operator snaps the release mechanism into a retaining condition to hold the table at its normal raised position for the serial feeding of sheets from the magazine to the printer head. The release mechanism is carried by the feed table and engages with a pair of brackets mounted to the printer head housing.

Abstract: A pair of colinearly movable, reciprocating paddles for bumping the side edges of sheets flowing serially along a feed path is disclosed. The sheets travel between the reciprocating paddles in a direction generally perpendicular to paddle movement. The paddles jog the sheets into a correct alignment position to establish registry between the sheets and, for example, the plate cylinder of an offset printing press supplied with the sheets. The distance between each paddle and the sheet feed path centerline can be adjusted during reciprocating movement of the paddle to meet registry requirements. A disengagement mechanism permits separate use of either paddle.

Abstract: A weft separator device for shuttleless looms or the pick and pick type in which any one of a plurality of weft yarns from separate sources can, by positioners individual to each weft yarn, be located for insertion into a warp shed. The device includes a pivotally mounted finger member operatively associated with each of the positioners and is effective in providing positive separation between a selected weft yarn and those in their inactive positions in the area intermediate the edge of the woven fabric from which the weft yarns extend to their respective positioners.

Abstract: A weft carrier positioning device for shuttleless looms having an elongated hollow body insertable for a portion of its length into the warp shed through the sheet of upper warp threads and into the pathway of a weft carrier. By turning the loom's handwheel a selected carrier fixed on the end of a flexible tape will enter the elongated hollow body and pass through the latter to an accessible position out of the shed and above the upper sheet of warp threads.

Abstract: A weft extending carrier for shuttleless looms adapted to insert single picks of weft into separate sheds formed by warp threads. The carrier is provided with an elongated weft finger mounted for pivotal movement within the carrier which receives and grips weft introduced by a companion carrier while extending the same through the remainder of the shed. The elements forming the surfaces between which the weft is gripped, are arranged and have a configuration which prevents the accumulation of lint or foreign matter therebetween and provides a device for assuring positive gripping of the weft during each picking cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a leno selvage along the edge of fabric being woven on a loom having a pair of rod members carried in and for movement with adjacent harnesses. A pair of support blocks are mounted in spaced relation and for sliding movement on the rod members with one having a selvage thread guide fixed thereto and the other having a selvage thread guide mounted for pivotal movement. Movement of the harnesses effects sliding movement of the support blocks with the selvage thread guides carried thereby forming shed openings for receiving weft yarn. The combination of a fixed and pivotable selvage thread guide alternately cross lays their selvage threads so as to lock each pick of weft between the crossed selvage threads.

Abstract: An improved carrier for use on a shuttleless loom of the type in which yarn is inserted into the warp shed from a stationary source located outside of the warp and in which a free end of the previously cut warp is gripped by the inserter carrier between biased gripper finger and a yarn guide finger to carry the end to approximately the mid point between the two sides of the loom, in which the improved inserter carrier has a yarn gripping element whose axis of rotation can be spatially varied to assure accurate and uniform contact between the gripping surfaces of the pivotable gripper element and the yarn guide element.