Abstract: Weft carrying grippers (1, 2), of the type wherein the grippers are made of metal and are driven in their back-and-forth movements through the shed by carbon-fibre and/or polyester straps exclusively guided from outside the shed are both characterised by a metal shoe (3, 4) integrated in the gripper and projecting from the bottom thereof, near the tip, to which it is radiussed and in that the shoe (3, 4) has a large central recess (7, 8), designed to host the ends (12, 13) of the driving strap (10, 11), which is narrower than the rest of the strap and thinner than the recess (7, 8) of the shoe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper for an Axminster weaving machine, comprising at least two clamping parts (2,3) connected to one another and moving with respect to one another for clamping and releasing a pile yarn, said clamping parts (2,3) being interconnected by means of intermediate springy elements (4a,4b,4c). Said clamping parts (2,3) are preferably provided above one anther in their plane of movement.

Abstract: In a rapier for a gripper loom, the rapier is made of synthetic material and includes at least one layer of reinforcing fibers. The gripper is mounted at the front end of the rapier, and the layer of reinforcing fibers begins at a distance away from said front end.