Abstract: A method and apparatus for multi-shed warp-wave weaving wherein weft threads are inserted into shed retainers by a stationary weft thread supply chamber. The inserted weft thread is transported through the shed retainer by air jet nozzles cooperatively associated with the shed retainer and in fluid communication with corresponding air supply sources stationarily mounted beneath the pathway of the shed retainers from weft thread insertion towards the fell of the fabric being woven. The weft thread inserting mechanism in combination with the air supply system act to increase the efficiency and reliability of weft insertion in multi-shed warp-wave weaving.

Abstract: A shed retaining and weft guide member for multiple shed, fluid jet looms includes a tubular section with mating male and female ends, a thickened end wall portion, a weft thread exit slot biased to a closed position during weft insertion, and a tapered bore section, all provided to increase the efficiency of fluid jet weft thread insertion by minimizing loss of fluid pressure and momentum.

Abstract: A beat-up mechanism for a weaving loom includes a relatively movable indexing reed and beat-up reed adjacent each other and arranged to transport weft threads adjacent the fell of the fabric and then beat-up the weft threads into the fell by means of beat-up fingers inserted between warp threads. The indexing and beat-up reeds each are constructed as modular units and include multiple, parallel fingers having narrow tip portions and wider root portions, whereby the wider root portions of one reed maintain the warp threads spaced apart for insertion of the tip portions of the other reed during weft transfer. The indexing and beat-up reeds are particularly useful in a multi-shed weaving loom wherein multiple sheds are progressively moved toward the fell of the fabric during the weaving operation with insertion of a pick in each shed. The indexing and beat-up reeds, moreover, include a guiding arrangement whereby the reeds are positively maintained in lateral alignment during weft transfer and beat-up.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus and method of multi-shed weaving wherein a weft thread is inserted into a retained shed by a fluid jet. The movement of the fluid jet can be synchronized with the movement of the retained shed. The shed may be retained by a shed-retaining member or members adapted to removably receive one of the weft threads. A device is also disclosed for spreading apart the wrap threads to facilitate the insertion of the shed-retaining members into an open shed prior to its retention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for an improved beat-up system for beating up the weft threads into the fell of the fabric. The improved beat-up mechanism includes a plurality of spacer elements which are moved into and out of position between the warp threads for maintaining the spacing between the warp threads. The beat-up mechanism further includes a plurality of beat-up elements which are inserted into and out of position between the warp threads for beating up the weft threads onto the fell of the fabric. The beat-up elements also operate to maintain the spacing between the warp threads when the spacer elements are withdrawn from between the warp threads. In addition, the present invention discloses apparatus for increasing the spacing between adjacent groups of warp threads in the same plane so that weft-advancing arms or shed-retaining elements may be more easily inserted into the plane of the warp threads.

Abstract: A shed-retaining member is provided for use with a weaving loom of the type having apparatus for forming warp sheds, with the shed-retaining member being insertable between warp threads to maintain the warp sheds in an open position. The improved shed-retaining member includes protruding and enlarged release surfaces for engagement with the warp threads to more reliably release the warp threads by increasing the spacing between groups of warp threads in order to release them.

Abstract: A method of weaving and apparatus therefor wherein a plurality of successive sheds are formed and retained to establish waves of sheds which travel longitudinally of the warp threads or "warp waves" as distinguished from the method using "weft waves" which travel transversely of the warp threads. The method and apparatus utilize conventional harness mechanisms or the like to produce the warp sheds but specially adapted weft-thread-inserting devices. The sheds are releasably retained by shed-retaining members which act independently of the shed-producing means. Each shed travels in a substantially straight line or plane from the shed-producing means to a location adjacent the fell of the cloth where the shed-retaining means release the shed. In addition to the shed-retaining means, each traveling shed can be provided with guide means for the weft-thread-inserting means. The shed-retaining members and guide means travel in a closed loop for repetitive operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for weaving which utilizes a plurality of moving warp sheds, wherein the sheds move in a direction parallel to the warp threads, and wherein gripper shuttles are employed for carrying weft threads from one side of the machine and through the moving sheds to the other side of the machine, with the gripper shuttles being unconnected to the machine, during their traverse through the moving warp sheds. The weft threads are supplied from a weft supply station which includes a plurality of stationary weft supply spools. The weft threads are supplied to a plurality of weft feeders and guides which operate to successively transfer the weft threads to the gripper shuttles. Once the gripper shuttles have been loaded with weft thread, the gripper shuttles are ready to be fired through the moving warp sheds. Before a gripper shuttle enters a moving warp shed, its lateral speed is synchronized with the lateral speed of the moving warp shed.