Abstract: An integrated cutter for preparing the edges of a fabric for seaming includes a hooked needle which oscillates vertically in a guide bushing located close to the plane of the fabric between a retracted position where the head of the needle is not exposed and an extended position in which the needle penetrates the fabric. The needle head is shaped so that when it moves upwardly it pushes between a pair of yarns in one direction until the hook is above a yarn in the other direction. The needle hook includes a transverse groove shaped so that when it moves downwardly it captures this yarn.

Abstract: An integrated cutter for preparing the edges of a fabric for seaming includes a hooked needle which oscillates vertically in a guide bushing located close to the plane of the fabric between a retracted position where the head of the needle is not exposed and an extended position in which the needle penetrates the fabric. The needle head is shaped so that when it moves upwardly it pushes between a pair of yarns in one direction until the hook is above a yarn in the other direction. The needle hook includes a transverse groove shaped so that when it moves downwardly it captures this yarn.

Abstract: A tensioner for gripping an inserted thread in a weaving shed and applying or removing tension based on the thread's inserted tension. Through the use of sensors in a thread gripper, the inserted thread tension is compared to a desired value in a controller which controls the direction of rotation of a drive motor connected to the tensioner. A thread positioner which cooperates with the gripper assures that the threads are repeatedly gripped at the same general location. This expedites the detection of the inserted tension and avoids false initial tension readings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically unravelling a fringe area in a fabric is provided. The apparatus uses a reciprocating, hooked needle and a reciprocating blade to pull weft threads from the plane of a fabric and cut them off. The needle and hook are advanced in the direction of the warp threads, unravelling the weft threads until a fringe area of a certain width has been formed. The apparatus is then displaced along the edge of the fabric and the unravelling cycle is repeated. The apparatus continues to be moved along the edge of the fabric until the fringe area extends the length of the edge.

Abstract: A yarn positioning apparatus for use in an automated seaming machine for forming a woven join between opposite ends of a length of woven fabric, of the type in which an auxiliary strip of threads are supported in parallel relation to the cross machine direction threads in the woven fabric. The opposite ends of the fabric are supported on opposite sides of the auxiliary threads and each end of the woven fabric includes a fringe of machine direction (MD) threads. The MD threads are successively separated from the fringe and interwoven with the auxiliary thread to form the join. The yarn positioning apparatus is comprised of a yarn gripper for gripping a previously woven yarn from a fabric fringe in a first orientation and repositioning it to a second orientation. The yarn is retained in its second orientation as it is translated for further processing.

Abstract: A shed formation apparatus having increased flexibility and speed. The shed formation apparatus is comprised of a plurality of movable heddles which are connected to a plurality of heddle selectors by a first plurality of control leads. The heddle selectors are movably connected to a plurality of heddle selector controllers which include stoppers to retard the movement of the heddle selectors. A second plurality of control leads are attached to the heddle selectors. A repeat pattern output apparatus determines the movement of the second plurality of control leads and the attached heddle selectors, and selectively activates the stoppers.

Abstract: A shed formation apparatus which has increased flexibility and speed and finds particular application in automated reweaving of the ends of a fabric. The apparatus is generally comprised of a plurality of heddles which will control yarn movement during the shed formation. Each of the heddles has a yarn mail and at least one control lead. Each control lead is under the influence of a controller - stopper mechanism which controls heddle movement and position. The actuation of the stopping mechanism is controlled by a shed formation repeat pattern output device which determines the position of the heddle and the selection of the stopping mechanism in accordance with the repeat pattern.