Abstract: Improved supply yarn tensioning and path guide means comprising the provision of spindles and guides for supplying warp yarns from individual packages, together with tensioning means for controlling the tension in each individually supplied warp yarn strand, preferably by controlling the rolling resistance of a package on a spindle provided therefor, which resistance is overcome by pulling the yarn strand off the package. In a further embodiment, an improved elliptical guide means is provided for guiding the warp yarn path changes.

Abstract: A plurality of triaxial weaves particularly suitable for reinforcement in composite materials, for conformability to curved surfaces, and for inclusion of high modulus fibers. Each includes relatively unstabilized yarn courses, and each is weavable on a known machine.

Abstract: A heddle for a weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics has a nose portion with a rounded free end of substantially the same thickness as a major portion of the heddle. The nose postion is also provided with a warp strand guide opening therethrough and reduced thickness portions between the opening and the edges of the nose portion to minimize warp strand abrasion during weaving.

Abstract: A fixed cam located between a circular yarn guide and a continuous line of yarn separators moving around a substantially linear closed path is shaped to maintain substantially constant the length of warp strands moved laterally between the circular yarn guide and any of the yarn separators.

Abstract: A device for automatically lifting a yarn package off of a package drive roll in response to a detected condition has a vertical member depending from a package support and extending through an opening in a lever assembly. The lever assembly is selectively raised by operating means in response to a detected condition and engages the vertical member at the opening by means of the frictional force resulting from a binding action caused by rotation of a portion of the lever assembly with respect to the vertical member. In addition, the lever assembly is biased such that it is disengaged from the vertical member when the downward pressure exerted by the package and package support is relaxed.

Abstract: In a triaxial weaving machine, a finger engages the weft as it leaves the shed and moves the weft toward the fell to assure that the dents of two reeds, alternately insertable across the shed, will penetrate the shed above the newly inserted weft.

Abstract: A triaxial weaving machine of modular construction comprises separable warp supply and weaving modules to simplify manufacture and permit more efficient use of the machine. Modules of the same kind are interchangeable.

Abstract: A weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics in which heddles are positioned in weftwise rows of parallel heddles, moved longitudinally during warp shed formation, and shifted weftwise. Heddles of the weaving machine of this invention have means thereon for preventing entrance of more than one heddle into the same passageway, in the form of weftwise lateral projections for engagement with an adjacent heddle so as to facilitate proper guidance of heddles in the weftwise row into guiding passageways during longitudinal movement and weftwise shifting of the heddles.

Abstract: A weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics in which a creel for supplying warp strands is mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis in timed relation with interweaving of warp strands and wefts. In accordance with this invention, weaving instrumentalities for interweaving warp strands and wefts include a plurality of elongate heddles arranged in weftwise rows for guiding warp strands and means for moving the heddles and the warp strands guided thereby weftwise in timed relation with interweaving of warp strands and wefts.

Abstract: A rapier of a weft inserting mechanism in a vertical weaving machine has an associated guide for engaging a cooperating rapier to prevent substantial divergence of the rapiers when they come together so as to facilitate transfer of the weft yarn from one rapier to the other during weft yarn insertion.

Abstract: The entry and exit rapiers of a weft inserting mechanism in a vertical weaving machine have guide means for contacting the sheets of warp strands which form a shed during the weaving of fabric so that lateral movement of the rapiers is inhibited while they are traveling weft-wise between the sheets. One rapier also has an associated clip guide for engaging the other rapier to prevent substantial vertical divergence of the rapiers as they come together so as to facilitate transfer of the weft yarn from the entry rapier to the exit rapier.