Abstract: A backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns wherein the needles are configured in consecutive gauge positions in alternate segments in front and rear transverse rows of needles, and the position of the needles is shiftable transversely with respect to the backing.

Abstract: A tufting machine for selectively forming tufts of yarns, including different color or type yarns, for forming patterned tufted articles such as carpets. A series of needles are reciprocated into and out of a backing material being fed through the tufting machine and are engaged by a series of gauge parts so as to pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The gauge parts will be selectively controlled by activators to extend or retract the gauge parts to positions or elevations sufficient to pick-up or not pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The feeding of the yarns to the needles further will be controlled to back-rob yarns not picked-up by the gauge parts, while the backing feed will be controlled to enable formation of tufts at an increased rate over the pattern stitch rate for the pattern of the tufted article being formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool module (10) having a module body (11), which has a contact surface (21) and an orienting structure (22). A fastening opening (29) and additionally at least one, preferably a plurality of additional openings (33, 34) extend through the contact surface (21). The area of one additional opening (33) or (34) is larger than, preferably considerably larger than, for example at least twice or three times as large as the cross-sectional area of the fastening opening (29). Thus, a module body (11) is provided, by means of which an increased operating speed of the textile machine can be achieved.

Abstract: In one aspect, the dual bevel needle can include a hollow tube having a proximal end, a distal end, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side; a first needle point at the distal end of the hollow tube; a second point at the distal end of the hollow tube; a first bevel on each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the first bevel comprising a first bevel angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube; and a second bevel on each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side, the second bevel having a second bevel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the first and second bevels each form a portion of an ellipse, the ellipse having an inner cutting edge and terminating in the first and second needle points at the distal end of the tube, the second bevel angle being shallower than the first bevel angle, the second bevel being located adjacent the proximal end of the first bevel, and the inner cutting edge converging to a narr

Abstract: A level cut loop looper or hook and clip assembly for a tufting machine includes at least one module carrying a series of level cut loop loopers or hooks. Each level cut loop looper or hook generally can include a looper body along which a clip is slidably moved. Each clip will be moved between retracted and extended positions as the level cut loop loopers or hooks are reciprocated toward and away from engagement with their associated needles of the tufting machine. Actuators can be engaged to secure the clips in their extended positions as needed to selectively form cut and loop pile tufts in a backing material.

Abstract: A replaceable needle module assembly for tufting machines includes a series of needle modules mounted in spaced series along a needle or gauge bar. Each needle module includes a module body having a series of needle receiving passages formed therethrough. The needles are received within and extend through each of the needle receiving passages, with the upper ends of the needles being received and engaged within corresponding recesses formed along an underside surface of the needle bar when the needle modules are mounted thereto. As a result, the needles can be securely and accurately located at a desired elevation along the needle bar.

Abstract: A tool module (16) comprises a module body (15) comprising at least two contact surfaces (22, 27). They are separated from one another by means of a groove (30) and one of them extends into the groove (30). A fixed and accurate fit of the tool module (16) on each bar is ensured by means of this groove. Yarn filaments or very fine dirt particles, grout or wear on the accommodations can be accommodated by the groove. In addition, a simple and failure-free assembly is ensured.

Abstract: A hook/looper module assembly for a tufting machine is provided that allows for broken and damaged hooks of a level cut loop tufting machine to be replaced. The hook/looper module assembly includes modular blocks having a series of slots in which a series of hook or looper are received. Locking mechanisms secure the hook/looper within their respective slots in the modules and allows for removal of individual hook/looper from the module as needed for repair and replacement.

Abstract: A hook module assembly for a tufting machine is provided that allows for broken and damaged hooks of a level cut loop tufting machine to be replaced. The hook module assembly includes modular blocks having a series of slots in which level cut loop hooks are received. Locking mechanisms secure the hooks within their respective slots in the modules and allows for removal of individual hooks from the module as needed for repair and replacement.

Abstract: A tufting machine capable of producing individual articles of athletic turf bearing precise graphic patterns is disclosed. The machine includes a support frame to which a backing material is statically held, a tufting frame that spans above and below the backing and is computer-controlled to travel along the support frame, a yarn-inserting needle carriage disposed above the backing along the tufting frame and a yarn-catching looper carriage disposed below the backing along the tufting frame.

Abstract: Lateral pins (20) are used to provide a tufting machine modular gauge assembly that allows damaged or broken gauge elements (10) to be replaced individually. The modular gauge assembly consists of a gauge bar (25) with a plurality of modular blocks (15) removably attached to the bar. The modular blocks are six sided with a detent (110) and fastener mechanism (65) for attaching the block to the gauge bar. The gauge elements may be attached to the block by dedicated screw-pins (145) or by a lateral pin (20) that passes through all the gauge elements within a block. The lateral pin may either pierce the gauge elements (at 70) or abut the gauge elements. Abutting pins may be malleable and segmented and secured in position by set screws.

Abstract: A needle plate module is provided with fingers having a bent portion received in a lateral channel portion enabling standard screw sizes to the fingers into the module over a wide range of finger gauge spacings.

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.

Abstract: An assembly for a textile machine includes a carrier bar for attachment to the textile machine; a module base body carrying a plurality of tools and having a mounting; and an adapter received in the mounting and including holding and orienting arrangements for holding the module base body and for orienting the module base body relative to the carrier bar. The adapter is suitable to conform variously configured module base bodies to variously configured carrier bars.

Abstract: Symmetrical, modular blocks each having a plurality of fixed, equally spaced, gauging elements, namely loopers, needles, and reeds protruding therefrom, the blocks are positioned on the sides of the guide bars of a tufting machine, each guide bar having transverse channels at equally spaced intervals. These channels respectively receive guide bars of the blocks when the blocks are removably positioned on the sides of the guide bar. Bolts or screws secure the blocks in place on their guide bars so that their needles, loopers, and reeds are appropriately gauged and positioned for tufting action, protruding toward the tufting zone.