Abstract: Device intended for extracting weft threads (T) arranged transversely in a straight grain reinforcing ply (F) comprising a hook capable of gripping a weft thread (T) by performing an alternating movement between a high position and a low position, characterized in that the hook engages with a disengageable anvil capable of moving along the path (XX?) of the hook so that when the device is in operation, the anvil is engaged in contact with the hook during all or part of the descending movement of said hook, forming a clamp capable of holding a section of weft between the hook and the anvil the anvil is disengaged from contact with said hook during the remainder of the travel of the hook, so as to enable the hook to engage a weft thread (T) and to release a section of weft (T).

Abstract: A method for the insertion of a weft thread into a shed of a rapier weaving machine is presented in which the weft thread (3) is taken up by a bringer rapier (10) and fixedly clamped in the same by means of a thread clamp, is inserted into the shed by means of the bringer rapier and is taken up by a taker rapier. In the said method the clamping force of the thread clamp in the bringer rapier is additionally controlled during the weft insertion in such a way that the clamping force (F0) during the take-up of the weft thread and/or during the transfer of the weft thread is reduced relative to the clamping force (F1) in the insertion phase lying therebetween.

Abstract: Device for locking the connection of a heddle (40) to a harness cord (50), having a heddle side and a harness cord side. The device is composed of at most two different components, the device having a diameter on the heddle side and/or on the harness cord side which decreases towards the end. The device is releasable and recloseable, allowing the device to be reused. The components are made from a plastics material which has a high wear resistance. The device is provided over virtually its entire length with a continuous passage (4) for guiding a heddle and a harness cord.

Abstract: A weaving machine is constructed to use a magnetic traction device to reciprocate the shuttle in moving weft threads over warp threads at a high speed without producing noise and preventing direct contact between parts.

Abstract: Thread clamping arrangement for a carrier gripper of a rapier loom wherein the arrangement includes a rigid support coupled to a lateral wall of a body of the carrier gripper. Each of an elongated first clamping element and an elongated second clamping element are provided. A clamping gap is formed by the first and second clamping elements. A magnet is included that exerts an attracting force on each of the first and second clamping elements.

Abstract: A weft yarn (1) leaving a stationary stock bobbin (2) is led through a compressed-air nozzle (6) and a deflector element (16) movable transversely to the direction of weft insertion (arrow 9), to the weft insertion mechanism (11) of a projectile loom. After each weft insertion the weft yarn (1) becomes deflected by the deflector element (16) from a yarn path (1a) running stretched into a cranked yarn path (1c) and returned towards the stretched yarn path (1a) during a following weft insertion. During a predetermined fraction of the weaving cycle which comprises the return of the weft yarn (1) into the stretched yarn path (1a), the compressed-air nozzle (6) is acted upon by compressed air so that the weft yarn (1) is additionally accelerated for a short time. After the return of the weft yarn (1) the compressed air feed to the compressed-air nozzle (1) becomes blocked during the remaining part of the weaving cycle.

Abstract: The picking device in projectile looms has guide teeth (1) having narrowing zones (20, 20') adapted to receive lubricant transferred from the projectiles (100) to the guide teeth. Because of these narrowing zones and given appropriate shaping no lubricant reaches the guide teeth side surfaces which contact the warp yarns. Soiling of the cloth by lubricant can therefore be obviated. Also, adequate lubrication can be provided so that there is no soiling due to material released by abrasion between the projectile and the guide teeth.

Abstract: The weft yarn clearing device is of use for an automatic method of clearing weft breakages in projectile looms. In the event of the yarn breakage in the shed, the weft yarn is engaged in the shed by at least one gripper element, then supplied to the inlet of an extractor and placed between the rollers of a pair of draw-off rollers. The rollers draw the weft yarn out of the shed and the weft yarn is simultaneously supplied by the extractor to a collecting receptacle. The clearing device can also be used for a yarn breakage before the shed.

Abstract: The weft change motion employs a connecting link between a reciprocating mixer lever and a pivotally mounted mixer segment. During normal alternating weft changing, the link moves from one end position through a neutral position and, under the inertia forces moves towards a second end position. The oscillating movement of the link permits the change motion to alternately feed weft yarns. In order to permit picking of the same weft yarn, a locking device is provided to prevent the oscillating link from moving past the neutral position. The locking device also serves to return the link to the same end position so that the same weft yarn can be picked. Various forms of locking devices can be used including an electromagnet, a movably mounted slide block with an appropriately shaped slot and a slide block employing a rotating disk having an appropriately shaped opening to receive a slide pin.

Abstract: An air supply system which insures that maximum air is supplied to the auxiliary jets of an air jet weaving machine upon start-up and automatically reduces the air supply when the weaving machine has reached equilibrium.

Abstract: A picking mechanism for a loom including a projectile lift which points a projectile into a ready-to-pick position is made with a guide profile cross section open on the striking side. The projectile opener is provided with an additional guide element to guide the projectile body during movement into the ready-to-pick position. After positioning, the projectile opener with the guide element pivots away to expose a semi-circular space on the striking side of the projectile for the operation of a picking mechanism. The opener guide element may engage with an outer surface of the projectile during pivoting or may be positioned coaxially of a gripper opener to engage an internal surface in an additional passage in the projectile.

Abstract: An improved body member for a shuttle returner used in a projectile loom. Embedded within the relatively elastic body member is a relatively inelastic reinforcing element which takes up tensile force applied to the body member, thereby strengthening the body member. The reinforcing element is substantially flexible in response to compressive force applied to the body member, so that the elasticity of the body member in compression is not reduced by inclusion of the reinforcing element.

Abstract: To provide for positive guidance of shuttles in a multi-system traveling shed weaving loom, in which the shuttles move continuous, endless loop path, having a straight portion (15a) and two essentially semi-circular curved return path portions (15b), the curved return path portions are defined by a pair of guide strips or rails (32, 42) spaced from each other by a sufficient distance to accomodate the shuttles therebetween as they travel in the curved path, the inner guide strip (32) being formed of non-magnetic material. The shuttles carry permanent magnets (36) and travelers (16) carry, on a leaf spring (30), drive elements (25) having permanent magnets (26) interacting with the magnets (36) on the shuttles, the drive elements being pressed against the inner surface of the non-magnetic guide strip in the curved portion (15b) of the path and against a guide reed leaf (10) in the straight portion of the path.

Abstract: The plastic projectile with an associated projectile opener has a projectile clip having arcuate parts. The projectile opener exerts forces both transversely and lengthwise of the picking direction on the arcuate parts of the clip for simultaneous opening and positioning relative to these two directions. A through aperture in the plastic casing is not touched by the projectile opener. The problem of wear in connection with conventional positioning on the plastic casing therefor disappears. A projectile made of abrasion-resistant impact-resistant plastic facilitates oil-free operation and ensures very high cloth quality.

Abstract: A weaving loom with a magnetic shuttle comprised of an endless loop for guiding the shuttle to circulate and fly through the shed of warp and a magnetic means constructed as a structure which generates a magnetic force circulating along the endless loop for attracting and driving the shuttle.

Abstract: An improved shuttle returner for use in projectile looms. The shuttle returner comprises a relatively inelastic member for receiving the impact of an arriving shuttle, and a relatively elastic member coupled to the receiving member for absorbing the shuttle impact. The receiving member and elastic body member are joined together along mutually confronting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the line of impact, maximizing transfer of force into the body member without transmitting substantial impact through the elements interconnecting the receiving member and body member.

Abstract: The invention aims at equalizing weft time differences when launching successive threads and thereby obtaining a more uniform cloth. For that purpose the thread velocity in the initial phase of the weft is measured and on the basis thereof an additional pressure impulse of the conveying fluid may be supplied to the thread. According to a different possibility, in dependence on the measured value, the thread is more or less braked by means of a brake at the end of the weft phase.

Abstract: The guide for a picking element is provided with five plane guide surfaces which are peripherally disposed about the picking tunnel. These five guide surfaces are disposed on each of the single guide tooth or are distributed between a separately constructed guide hook and an adjacent separately constructed guide support. Any two adjacent guide surfaces are disposed to define an angle of at least 90 degrees in order to reduce the friction forces operating between the guide surfaces and the picking element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weft change system for a weaving machine, the known complicated switching and release mechanism for the movement of a selection quadrant with weft thread holding devices being simplified by the tension-loadable or compression-loadable springs provided in the known mechanism being replaced by compressed air cylinders, in particular double-acting compressed air cylinders, which can be actuated by a computer-controlled programming device and whereby the complete complicated drive mechanism of the known systems can be dispensed with.

Abstract: The guide is used for parts moved as if by a shear force of a weaving machine, particularly a projectile weaving machine. The guide has a body which is reciprocably mounted relative to at least one guideway. In addition, at least one guide element is associated with the body and is movable transversely of the guideway during imposition of an eccentric loading on the body which causes the body to turn within the guideway about the axis of the guideway.

Abstract: The projectile guide employs support teeth which have horizontally disposed support surfaces for slidably receiving and supporting a picked projectile thereon. In addition, alternately arranged guide teeth are provided to define a picking tunnel while also providing a lateral guide on one side of the horizontal support surfaces to prevent sliding off of a projectile thereat. A lateral guide surface may also be provided on the support teeth on one side of the support surface to prevent lateral movement from an opposite side of the support surface.

Abstract: The arrangement is operative to pick at least one weft yarn for weaving machines and comprises a pair of weft yarn tensioning devices the second of which provides a loop of yarn whose length is equal to the length of weft yarn transferred by the main nozzle to the projectile and which is released for transfer to the projectile before the first tensioning device releases the weft yarn for picking. The second tensioning device draws back an equally long portion of the weft yarn after picking. The arrangement prevents a weft yarn end from not being transferred from the nozzle to the projectile so that the weft yarn is not picked.

Abstract: The weaving machine is provided with a catcher for a projectile which is disposed on a slide so as to be adjustable in the picking direction. In addition, the catcher is adjustably mounted horizontally and vertically transversely to the picking direction in order to permit alignment of the braking channel of the catcher with the guide channel.

Abstract: The projectile weaving machine has a return conveyor disposed between a catcher and a picking mechanism. In addition, a cutting device is provided on the catcher side for severing the weft yarn end before the release of the weft yarn end from the projectile. A blowing nozzle and suction tube are located either adjacent to the cutting device on the catching side or adjacent to a lift on the picking side in order to remove the severed weft yarn end from a projectile when the projectile is subsequently opened.

Abstract: The guide for the weft-picking element of a weaving machine is formed of alternating supports and hooks which complement one another in pairs to form a guide tooth. Each support is single armed while each adjacent hook widens towards the guide passage in order to form a support surface for the picking element. The construction ensures that a warp yarn which may jump from one lane into another lane through the guide is not overstretched.

Abstract: The guide device for the picking element of the weaving machine is formed with guide teeth each of which has a flexible zone which permits a positional adjustment of the guide and support member and guide hook relative to one another. During production of the guide device, the guide and support member and guide hook of each tooth are pressed against a gauge rod by a pressing device and thereafter potted in resin which forms a block. The presence of the gauge rod ensures a precisely tubular guide channel so that the path for a picking element is very regular.

Abstract: The projectile guide comprises guide teeth whose exit aperture for the weft yarn is subject to the following conditions in relation to the projectile:x=b; x=l; y=d;where x denotes the horizontal distance between the vertical centerline of the projectile and the end of the guide hook of a guide tooth; b denotes half the width of the projectile; l denotes the horizontal distance between the center M of the projectile and the free end of the support; y denotes the vertical distance between the free end of the support and the horizontal inside edge of the hook; and d denotes the vertical distance between the horizontal inside edge of the hook and the horizontal centerline of the projectile.

Abstract: The return device for the projectiles of a gripper projectile weaving machine has an end position brake employing an abutment in the form of a piston which is guided in the cylinder and which experiences the light pressure of a restoring spring. The ratio of the mass of the projectile to the mass of the piston at a given projectile speed is such that the projectile stops immediately upon striking the piston. The piston does not experience local wear over extended periods of time and obviates any need for a means to prevent a bounce-back of the projectile.

Abstract: A loom wherein several gripper shuttles advance simultaneously along an endless path has a track with an arcuate section extending along an arc of 180 degrees ahead of the inlet to the shed. Shuttles are temporarily stored in a magazine ahead of the arcuate section and are propelled into the arcuate section and into the range of an accelerating conveyor in synchronism with movements of the reed toward and away from the fabric. The accelerating conveyor is driven by a variable-speed motor to advance a freshly engaged shuttle first at a low speed and to thereupon accelerate the shuttle to a maximum speed not later than on entry of the shuttle into the open shed. The shuttles have guide rails, guide faces and/or guide rollers which cooperate with complementary guide elements of the reed to prevent the ejection of shuttles during travel through the shed.

Abstract: The weft yarn tensioning device is employed in a weft changing operation for a weaving machine. The tensioning device has a rod which oscillates at the cadence of the weaving machine transversely of the weft yarn group. The rod deflects the yarns to retaining elements which hold the deflected yarns during upward movement of the rod. A control device is provided for the retaining elements whereby the weft yarn which is to be picked can be released during the upward movement of the rod. The retaining elements can be electromagnetically operated or mechanically operated.

Abstract: The gripper projectile has a yarn clamp with clamping jaws which, when opened to receive a weft yarn, bound a flow duct. The duct is disposed in communication with air exit orifices in the casing of the projectile so that air which is injected by a yarn supplying device and entraining the weft yarn end flows through the duct without turbulance. The clamping jaws may be provided with recesses for ducts to further center the delivered weft yarn. In other embodiments, inserts may be provided within the projectile casing to form nozzles for the flow of air to the exit orifices.

Abstract: The gripper projectile has a spring-biased clamping member which is biased against a guide nozzle into which a weft yarn is blown in by a weft yarn supplying nozzle. The clamping member is provided with an aperture which enables a projectile opener to be introduced to retract the clamping member from the nozzle to permit the nozzle to directly communicate with discharge orifices in the side walls of the projectile. With the clamping member in the retracted position, a weft yarn end can be delivered while the yarn entraining air is immediately discharged along with any fluff that may be carried by the air stream.

Abstract: The guide channel of the catching mechanism is provided with a recess into which the foremost projectile can be positioned at the upper end. The projectile is thus permitted to be moved into an upright position parallel to the direction of ejection. Further, the ejector is able to strike against the foremost projectile during ejection over a relatively large surface area so as to reduce the stress of the impact forces on the projectile.

Abstract: The catcher is operated so that prior to moving the projectile back into the ejection position, the brake block of the second braking station is disengaged while the first brake block remains in a braking position. Friction on the projectile and brake linings of the second braking station is reduced with a corresponding reduction in wear.In one embodiment, the braking stations are constructed with independent brake blocks. In a second embodiment, a common brake block may straddle the two braking stations.

Abstract: The weaving machine has a weft picking mechanism which is controlled so as to adjust the picking speed of the weft yarn relative to the operating speed of the weaving machine. The means for controlling the picking mechanism receives an error signal from a comparator connected on the input side to a pick-off for detecting the arrival of a weft yarn at the weft catching station and a second pick-off for detecting the operating speed of the machine. The error signal may also be used to control a fluid type of weaving machine or may be used to control the drive of the weaving machine relative to the picking mechanism.

Abstract: The projectile weaving machine is provided with a retractor apparatus at the braking device in which an elastically yielding and damping body is disposed to absorb impact forces and damp vibrations. The elastically yielding and damping body is located between the stop surface of the retractor and a fulcrum between the retractor and a lever for moving the retractor within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the body is positioned between two parts of the retractor while in other embodiments, the body may be disposed between the retractor and the moving means or may be incorporated in the retractor itself.

Abstract: The multiple pick system uses a drive for each control element. Each drive includes a roller lever which is pivotally mounted and driven by a cam mounted on the continuously rotating shaft of the machine. A locking member is movable into the path of the roller lever so as to prevent the roller on the lever from contacting the cam. The locking member serves to take out of operation the control elements for the weft yarn type which is not to be inserted while allowing the remaining control elements to be driven. The multiple pick system is especially suitable for high speeds.

Abstract: The catch mechanism employs a straight line guideway for moving an ejector reciprocally in a straight line path. The ejector has a foot piece for engaging only the foremost gripper projectile of a series of projectiles in a channel so as to positively eject the foremost projectile. A pivotally mounted spring biased pawl is used to retain the projectiles in the channel and is biased outwardly during an ejection process by the movement of the ejector.

Abstract: The conveyor belt for the shuttle return conveyor mechanism is formed with a support on the upper surface for laterally supporting a series of shuttles thereon and drivers which act as abutments for moving the shuttles from the catching mechanism to the picking mechanism of the weaving machine. The shuttles are thus conveyed directly on the conveyor belt and do not require separate guides or channels in the weaving machines.

Abstract: The drive mechanism for a reciprocating sub-mechanism on a weaving machine, e.g. for a cam for raising a projectile into the picking line, comprises a dead-center type crank drive. The drive is pivoted to and fro continually through 180.degree.. The connecting rod, which drives the projectile raise cam, is kept practically completely in the standstill position in the two crank standstill positions. This rod is mounted on an eccentric section of the crank pin so that small reciprocating movements of the crank in the dead-center positions due to play in the parts driving them cannot be transmitted to the connecting rod and projectile raise cam. The eccentric section of the crank pin can also be adjusted.

Abstract: The pivotable projectile feeder has a trough at one end which is shaped to the shape of the gripper shuttle. The trough has an aperture on a side remote from the transfer position to permit the weft yarn to pass freely therethrough when the feeder is returned to the transfer position after picking.

Abstract: A catcher mechanism for the weft picking means of a weaving machine which facilitates higher machine speed. Included in the catcher mechanism is a picking means brake, a sensing element movable into the path of the picking means, and a push-back member for pushing the picking means away from its stop position and into a yarn release position. The sensing element has the end thereof adjacent the picking means in engagement with a spring member so that the sensing element is movable along with the push-back member in the push-back direction, such movement being against the force of the spring.

Abstract: A method of operating a catcher mechanism in a gripper projectile weaving machine and a catcher mechanism for performing the method are disclosed. The projectile ejection portion of the catcher mechanism is operated by opening the projectile yarn clip, ejecting the projectile from the picking path, closing the yarn clip and moving the members of the ejection mechanism out of the picking path by pivoting the members sufficiently to permit immediate entry of a following projectile prior to returning the ejection mechanism to the initial position.

Abstract: The entraining element is constructed of a carrier, a striking member and a support member. The striking member is fixed to the conveyor chain via the carrier and has a resilient striking plate which extends transversely of the gripper shuttle path for returning a shuttle to the picker. The support member is mounted behind the striking plate to define a gap with the striking plate in the unloaded state. Upon deflection of the striking plate during loading, the plate abuts resiliently against the support member.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and transferring the cut end of a weft to a subsequent sliding shuttle clamp. The weft end is retained in the guide slot of the shuttle supply drum which was occupied by the previous shuttle before it was shot through the shed. A storage lever retracts the cut end of the weft to the intake side of the drum and the weft is then pivoted to the new shuttle.

Abstract: A shuttleless loom of the type having unidirectional weft thread carriers, comprising a device for throwing at least one said carrier, the device including a guide defining a closed path one portion of which passes through the shed and another returns below the shed. The guide also includes two arcuate portions at opposite sides of the loom and a circular guide portion substantially tangent to the carrier throwing path. Within the circular guide portion there is rotatably arranged a flywheel provided with an entraining member for the carriers. There is further provided a door which is controlled to throw out of the circular guide portion the carriers after they have made at least one complete revolution within the circular guide portion. The carriers are of substantially cylindrical configuration and adapted to accommodate circumferentially the weft thread as positioned at the exit of the circular guide portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the carrier axis.

Abstract: The clips which are used to transfer the yarn, e.g. a ribbon yarn, have clamping surfaces which are disposed in cross-wise manner but at an inclined angle from a true perpendicular. For example, the clamping surfaces of one clip are inclined at an angle of at least 4.degree. from the perpendicular to the clamping surfaces of the other clip. The inclination of the clamping surfaces to each other may be obtained by setting the clamping surfaces at an angle to the jaws of the clips. Also, the clamping surfaces may be twisted within a clip.

Abstract: A pneumatic weft insertion system in which means are provided for inserting up to an entire length of a weft pick from an outside weft storage, the weft being stored within an open projectile shell prior to insertion. The system involves unidirectionally pneumatically propelling the projectile and weft filling into and through a warp shed and guiding the projectile by an externally provided air cushion.

Abstract: A monitoring system for the shuttle movements in a loom of the multiple moving shuttle type. Sensors are located at the end of shuttle travel through the shed, at the beginning and end of its recycling travel back to the transporting drum, and phase sensors are provided to indicate proper position of the transporting drum. Whenever any of the sensors detects a fault in the position or phase of the shuttle or transporting drum, the fault is indicated and the loom is normally shut down until the fault is cleared.