Abstract: A system for forming multiple patterned, tufted articles, includes a tufting machine having a series of distinct machine sections each adapted to form a desired patterned, tufted articles and each operable independently of the other machine sections. A system control can be programmed with pattern parameters for each of the patterned tufted articles to be formed, and will control the machine sections to form each of the patterned tufted articles.

Abstract: A tufting machine comprising a yarn applicator adapted to receive feed yarn and penetrate a surface covering backing and a cutting means adapted to cut the feed yarn to produce a stitch. The tufting machine also comprises a yarn control module that includes a yarn feed wheel adapted to guide the feed yarn, an actuator adapted to move the yarn feed wheel between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a yarn feed gear adapted to engage the feed yarn when the actuator moves the yarn feed wheel into the engaged position. The tufting machine further comprises a power source adapted to move the yarn feed gear and a remote process control computer system adapted to send a first signal and a second signal to the yarn control module. The tufting machine produces a patterned surface covering having a plurality of yarn colors and a plurality of pile heights.

Abstract: In a head group comprising two or more machine heads (3, 4) provided in proximity to each other so that each of the machine heads can perform embroidery sewing on an embroidering area of an embroidery frame on which a cylindrically-shaped embroidering workpiece is set, at least one of the machine heads is a multi-needle machine head (3). There are also provided a color change mechanism (20) for selectively positioning a desired needle at a predetermined operating position in the multi-needle machine head, a rotary hook bed (5) provided for each of the head group for shared use between the machine heads. There is provided a horizontal movement mechanism (30) for disposing the individual machine heads and the color change mechanism for horizontal movement relative to the rotary hook beds and horizontally moving the individual machine heads and the color change mechanism together to place any one of the machine heads in each of the head groups in positional correspondence to the rotary hook bed.

Abstract: A sewing machine control device includes a control unit for controlling the execution of a sewing operation based on sewing data including at least needle drop point data and thread color data of a sewing thread by selectively using a plurality of sewing needles respectively set with different color thread; a sewing needle-thread color storage medium storing sewing needle-thread color mapping data specifying the relation between sewing needles and thread color of thread respectively set thereto; a similarity evaluation unit for evaluating the similarity between the thread color specified by the thread color data and the thread color set to each sewing needle based on the thread color data and the sewing needle-thread color mapping data; and a sewing needle selection unit for selecting the sewing needle used for sewing in accordance with the sewing data based on evaluation result rendered by the similarity evaluation unit.

Abstract: A modular gauging element assembly for a tufting machine is provided that allows for broken and damaged gauging elements of the tufting machine to be replaced. The modular gauging element assembly includes a series of gauge modules each having a module body including a series of spaced slots in which gauge elements are received. Locating devices help position the gauge modules along their gauge bars, after which the gauge modules can be mounted in place by fasteners received through the gauge modules.

Abstract: An antivibratory system is provided by means of a servo motor driven shaker affixed to the head or bed frame of a tufting machine and programmed for rotation of a balancing weight to minimize vibration caused by operation of tufting machine at a particular speeds and needle stroke lengths.

Abstract: A tufting machine as disclosed with a variable yarn feed mechanism and a method for tufting patterns with yarns from two rows of needles offset longitudinally from one another in a fashion that the different stitch lengths are selected in a fashion that the yarns from each row of needles are complementary to the other and maintain a consistent stitch density.

Abstract: An embroidering system includes at least one embroidering machine having plural needles supplied with threads having different colors, and a control device for transmitting an embroidery data to the at least one embroidering machine so as to selectively drive the plural needles. The embroidery data is generated and memorized in the control device prior to being transmitted to the at least one embroidering machine. The embroidery data is corrected as required. It is preferable that the embroidery data is corrected as the basis for needle numbers for the respective needles and the colors of the threads supplied to the respective needles.

Abstract: A tufting machine configured to provide needles co-linearly along a tufting plane from opposing needle holders provided in a needle module. The needle holders may be selectively latched with latch pins connected to limbs extending from a yoke connected to the push rod of the tufting machine. The needle holders are biased in a dis-engaged position with compression springs which extend between caps on the needle holders and a guide plate which locates the needle holders laterally while spacing the opposed needle holders from one another.