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.

Abstract: In the method a weft thread which is supplied via a thread brake and a thread presenter is inserted into a shed by means of rapiers with a thread clamp, with the thread clamp being set in a freely selectable manner for each weft insertion during the weft insertion. This makes it possible to insert weft yarns of different types and thickness into a shed. The system comprises a rapier (1) with a thread clamp (4) and an arrangement (4) with a first apparatus (11) for setting the thread clamp and with a second apparatus (21) for the actuation of the first apparatus.

Abstract: A gripper rapier provision for weaving machines with a fixed gripper rapier body has a hook and a gripping face on the inside of the hook. A hinged clip suspended from the fixed gripper rapier body, with a gripping face thereon, works together with the gripping face of the hook to grip a weft thread taken by the gripper rapier provision. A mechanism is provided in front of the extremity of the gap, formed by the gripping face of the hinged clip and the gripping face of the hook, for preventing the weft thread from sliding to the extremity of the gap. It consists of a bar provided on the gripping face of the hook of the gripper rapier body working together with a hole in the hinged clip, or a bar running through the extremity of the hook of the gripper rapier body working together with a hole in the hook of the gripper rapier body, or a bar provided on the hinged clip working together with a hole in the hook of the gripper rapier body.

Abstract: A rapier clamp for an inserting rapier of a rapier weaving machine. The rapier clamp includes a first and a second holding member that are pivotally arranged with respect to one another and are in resiliently pre-biased contact. Between oppositely disposed surfaces of the holding members is spacing structure for creating a free space for receiving a weft thread. Holding sections for the weft thread are formed on the opposing surfaces of the two holding members and the holding sections include at least partially inter-engaging tooth grooves that extend along a longitudinal extent of the holding members.

Abstract: The thread clamp has cooperating clamping sections with elevations (2) and depressions (3) which extend transverse to the laying-in direction of the thread (4) to be held firmly by the thread clamp. When the clamp is closed, a free space (5) is in each case provided between the elevations (2) and depressions (3) for the reception of a thread (4), and the elevations (2) have an edge (8) for holding back the thread. Through the provision of a free space the thread is exposed to a kinking action and through the edge to a notching action, the cooperation of which ensures a secure holding for the thread.

Abstract: A gripper for transporting filling yarn in a projectile (A) across a loom for insertion during weaving is carried by spring arms (B). The gripper includes opposed jaws one of which has a V-shaped inner surface (C) and the other jaw has a W-shaped inner surface (D) receiving an end of filling yarn (Y) when the gripper is closed. The method includes transporting the filling yarn across the loom while engaged by the opposed interengaging inner surfaces of the jaws.

Abstract: A Clamp for a rapier loom having A hollow body with first and second ends. The first end is adapted to be fastened to a transporting tape of the rapier loom. A thread gripping hook is mounted on the second end of the hollow body. A movable element is mounted in the hollow body and movable between retracted and extended positions. A tongue has first and second ends. The first end is mounted on the hollow body and the second end is adjacent the gripping hook. The second end is separate from the hook when the moving element is in the retracted position, and in contact with the hook when the moving element is in the extended position. A resultant movement of the tongue is in a direction substantially perpendicular to a path of the movable element.

Abstract: A weaving device utilizing a projectile and a pressurized medium to guide the projectile as it transports a weft thread from a supply spool through a section of warp threads. A device is also used to introduce and decelerate the projectile. The pressurized medium passes through outlet openings in a plurality of spaced apart guides and moves the projectile by acting upon a plurality of annular recesses on the surface of these projectiles. Further, as the pressurized medium strikes these annular recesses, a pressure build up takes place in the spaces of the annular recesses to create a boundary of air which reduces friction between the projectile and the guides, and which increases the stability of the projectile.

Abstract: In a bringer gripper for a thread clamp a carrier body is largely open in the upward direction and has a base part and two side walls in order to form upper guides for the warp threads at the reed side and at the cloth side. The side wall at the cloth side comprises a section which extends at an inclination towards the gripper tip. A yarn-protecting deflection of warp threads that are not positioned correctly within the shed is thereby attained.

Abstract: A thread holder comprises two holding members which form a gap that has a round cross-sectional shape and increasing width. Each of the thread holders is journalled on the other holding member at at least one bearing location which is executed as a bearing surface. With this arrangement the journalled holding member can easily assume a holding position that is ideal for a thread being used. The thread holder is suitable in particular for a bringer rapier of a rapier weaving machine.

Abstract: A giver gripper for a gripper loom comprising a gripper body having a substantially U-shaped cross section including a base and two laterally spaced side walls, one of the side walls adapted to be closer to an associated loom reed, the laterally spaced side walls each having a forward vertical portion, wherein a forwardmost point of the forward vertical portion of the one of the side walls projecting more forwardly than the other of the forward vertical portions; a cover member located on the gripper body between the laterally spaced side walls, the cover having a forward tip located substantially between the forward vertical portions of the side walls, the forward tip having a height greater than the base of the gripper body and less than the forward vertical portions of the side walls; a gripping member for a weft yarn positioned on the base adjacent of the side walls; a guide and positioning groove for the weft yarn; a deflector for maintaining the weft yarn inclined within the giver gripper; wherein the c

Abstract: A fill end catching/clamping system in a fill drive clamp body provided at one end with a hook. A wedge is designed to axially move inside the hook. A wall of the wedge cooperates with a wall of said hook to form a "V"-shaped hollow in which the fill end is clamped. At least one elastic blade, positioned below the wedge, has a side wall that cooperates with the wall of the hook which forms one side of the "V"-shaped hollow to assist in retaining the fill end or ends in the "V"-shaped hollow.

Abstract: A band inserter device comprising a housing having a forward transverse slot therethrough and a rearward internally threaded aperture, whereby the slot is to receive an end of a banding strap. An elongated handle having an externally threaded shank engages with the internally threaded aperture. An assembly within the housing is for gripping the end of the banding strap when the shank of the handle is tightened in the aperture of the housing, so that the banding strap can be inserted under a skid and about a package on the skid.

Abstract: A gripper loom with pneumatic gripper cleaning apparatus is outfitted with at least one gripper associated with a blowing nozzle outside of the weaving area. The blowing nozzle is associated with a suction nozzle on the opposite side of the gripper. The gripper is constructed in such a way that it allows air to pass from the blowing nozzle to the suction nozzle. This enables an intensive and complete cleaning of the gripper and prevents soiling of other structural component parts.

Abstract: A taker gripper for loom use, of the type in which a wedge moves axially within a hook. The weft to be drawn, and which is wedged into the narrow V recess formed on one side between the wedge and the hook, is also maintained elastically pressed against the shallow recess that is provided in the outer lower surface of the hook by an elastic blade. The elastic blade, moreover, is fixed by its rear end to the wedge or to the gripper body. The inner surface of the hook on the side opposite the side that comprises the narrow V recess is formed so that it diverges from the corresponding surface of the wedge and from the direction of wedge axial movement.

Abstract: A taker gripper for loom use in which the weft is gripped and clamped through the combined action of two weft gripping and clamping members. These members are arranged in series along the path of the weft within the gripper. One of the members is of the elastic type and the other member is of the wedge type.

Abstract: A control mechanism for operating positively controlled openings of rapier heads of weaving machines equipped with rapiers. The control mechanism has a first and a second lateral cam and first and second rollers driven by the cams respectively. The rollers are mounted on a pivoting lever. First and second control levers are directly connected to an oscillating shaft of a cam lever, the cam lever moving to and fro by means of the cam. The cam is connected to a main shaft which transmits a uniform rotation speed to the shafts.

Abstract: A rapier loom has a picking mechanism in which one rapier (a giver rapier) transfers a weft yarn to another rapier (a taker rapier) in mid-shed. Each rapier is oscillated toward and away from one another by a drive and includes a yarn clamp which is actuated by a clamp opener to provide reliable yarn transfer from one rapier to the other. The rapier drives and/or clamp openers are driven by programmed servomotors. In this way, the velocities of the rapiers and/or the interval in which the clamp openers are opened can be adjusted according to the properties of the particular weft yarns used to ensure reliable transfer without damaging the yarn.

Abstract: A giver for a gripper loom having horizontal weft feeding has a head open at the top. A wide slideway ensures gentle treatment of the warp yarns and the low center of gravity reduces the tendency of the head to disengage from the slideway when the weft yarn is being drawn into the shed. A yarn clamp which keeps the weft yarn horizontal has a fin-like member which deflects the weft yarn downwards before entry into the clamp.

Abstract: An weft yarn gripping device in a shuttleless loom in which the spring-loaded lever for pressing the gripping foot onto the relative rigid gripping surface cooperates with a travel stop block which absorbs part of the load exerted by said spring. The block is connected to the foot by a leaf spring rigid with the lever, and the leaf spring is inserted into a slot in a connection block which is rigid with said foot. Various mechanisms are also provided for varying the load transmitted to the gripping foot.

Abstract: A fork-like clamp element is provided for a weft yarn clamp for use in a rapier loom. The fork-like clamp element includes a clamping tongue, a securing part for securement in a rapier giver or rapier taker and a presser opposite the securing part. The securing part includes a resiliently flexible zone so that upon movement of the presser towards the securing part, the zone is able to yield resiliently and, thus, allow the tongue to move away from an opposite clamp element for release of a weft yarn therebetween.

Abstract: A gripper head for a loom is of lightweight construction and has a weft thread clamp with a stationary pad and a movable pad. The former is directly mounted to the gripper body. The latter is mounted through an adjustable spring to the gripper body, whereby the clamping force is adjustable.

Abstract: A weft inserter rapier for shuttleless weaving looms in which the weft clamping and retaining system comprises an elastic clamping foot the cross-section of which has a reverse-"U"-shape which is urged, due to the action of a spring-loaded lever, against two metal blades resting on two supports made from an elastomeric material. The metal blades may be provided with an upwards-protruding step at their adjacent ends inside said clamping foot, and the clamping foot can be linked by a semispherical articulated joint to a spring-loaded lever.

Abstract: A thread clamp, with the characteristic that it consists essentially of: a first jaw (3) with two spring arms (4, 5) which bend elastically away from and towards each other, perpendicularly to the plane in which the thread clamp opens and closes; a second jaw (6) which operates in conjunction with the first jaw; and an elastic device which serves to press the two jaws (3, 6) together.

Abstract: A weft carrying gripper is configured to have a small, open sided profile and includes a weft thread gripping jaw portion that is pivotally mounted by a broad hinge pin in lever fashion to the body of the gripper such that the weft clamping element tends to tighten in the clamp closing direction if inadvertent contact occurs between the weft carrying gripper and the weft drawing gripper. Various clamping and thread guiding arrangements are described.

Abstract: The giver is used with a gripper loom having a stationary weft supply and includes a tongue in the gripper casing and a clamping element on a wide side of tongue so devised that clamping element bears to some extent on the underside of the gripper casing. At the entry and clamping zone of the yarn, the clamping element takes the form of a thin flat spring strip which follows the curvature of the tongue and which is secured thereto at one end while at a central region the clamping element presses a clamping surface of the gripper casing. When a member moves the tongue away from the gripper casing, the clamping element also disengages from the clamping surface, so that dirt between the clamping surfaces of the tongue element and casing can drop away or be extracted.

Abstract: A pair of weft grippers for moving weft yarn through a shuttleless weaving loom, comprises a carrying gripper for carrying the weft partway into the sheds of the loom and a drawing gripper for thereafter receiving and completing the passage of the yarn through the sheds. Each gripper has a body of solid synthetic resin faced on opposite sides with sheet steel that is partially embedded in the resin by molding. The spaced-apart steels shells impart great rigidity and wear resistance to the body, at the same time that the plastic body between the shells achieves light weight and low cost of the gripper.

Abstract: The rapier has a tongue tip which is guided positively in an insert within a grip hook in directions perpendicular to the plane in which the hook is disposed. A mating groove and projection arrangement is disposed between the tongue tip and a flank of the shaped insert within the hook in order to preclude transverse movements of the tongue tip relative to the hook insert. A clamping plate is disposed on the side of the tongue tip to enhance the positive guiding of the tongue tip within the hook insert.

Abstract: A weft carrying gripper for a weaving loom comprises a gripper body and a weft yarn holding member carried by the gripper body and oscillable relative to the gripper body about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of the gripper alternately to grip and release a weft yarn between a head on the holding member and the body. The head includes a resilient metal lamina secured to the head only at its rear end and extending forwardly to a free forward end. The lamina between its rear end and its free forward end has a straight portion that terminates forwardly in the free end. The free end curves from the forward end of the straight portion away from the body. The head has a recess behind the straight portion and the free end such that, when the holding member has oscillated toward the body, the straight portion lies flat against the body and the straight portion and the free end are free to flex away from the body under the pressure of a weft yarn inserted between the lamina and the body.

Abstract: The rapier is constructed so that the tongue is guided at one end by an articulated connection to the actuating lever and at the opposite end in the hook. Guide surfaces for the tongue in the casing are eliminated. A compression spring biases the tongue into the hook and a second spring biases the tongue tip against one flank of the hook.

Abstract: An improved weft carrying/feeding gripper for weaving machines, consisting of two components which are biased together by a spring device, and wherein one of the contact areas of at least one of the components comprises a resilient component (6), and wherein the setting of the pretension of the resilient component (6) is adjustable. The weft is thus held firmly in a direction along its length between the contact areas, and loosely in a weft feeding direction.

Abstract: A pair of weft carrying grippers, of the type wherein the weft yarn is retained by engagement of the head of a slider moving lengthwise, with a counteracting cooperating surface of the gripper body, the slider being thrust forward by a spring and being released by pulling a flexible lamina element connected thereto. In this pair of grippers, the flexible lamina element causing the release of the slider is controlled by a rotary cam having a slightly curved contour, around which the element may wind smoothly. Moreover, the slider head is shaped like a helical wedge, adapted to mate with an equally shaped counteracting surface of the gripper body, or it may carry at least one spring lamina, adapted to engage with a substantially flat counteracting surface of the gripper body.

Abstract: A weft-carrying gripper for a weaving loom comprises a gripper body and a weft yarn holding member carried by the gripper body. The holding member oscillates relative to the gripper body toward and away from a weft yarn gripping portion of the body, alternately to grip and to release a weft yarn between a head on the holding member and the mentioned portion of the body. This oscillation can be either rectilinear movement of curvilinear movement. A flexible elastic element such as a spring metal lamina is carried by the head and is move toward and away from the yarn gripping portion of the body upon oscillation of the holding member. The elastic element, at the time it engages a weft yarn, bends about an axis transverse to the direction in which the head is moving at the time the elastic element engages the yarn.

Abstract: A novel gripping apparatus for shuttleless looms comprising in combination a weft supplying fork mechanism and a weft transfer hook mechanism. The weft supplying fork mechanism includes a hollow body fixed on a steel belt of a shuttleless loom for movement, a warp-crossing guide member and a weft guide member provided on the body with a weft guide slot therein, as well as a movable grip member disposed on one side of the body for weft gripping operation. The weft transfer hook mechanism comprises a body having an inverse hook at the front and fixed on another steel belt, a movable grip device installed in the body, a yarn-pressing elastic member and a second warp-crossing guide plate fixed on one side, and a second weft guide member provided on top of the body, so that the weft transfer hook mechanism can be completely inserted into the hollow body of the weft supplying mechanism for weft exchanging and transferring operations.

Abstract: In the filling-thread insertion element or delivery gripper, a transport clamping tongue supports an upper supplementary clamping tongue which is provided with a slot. The upper supplementary clamping tongue is appreciably thinner than the transport clamping tongue. The upper supplementary clamping tongue can therefore lie elastically against a clamping location between the transport clamping and upper supplementary clamping tongues on the one hand and a clamping jaw on the other hand. Furthermore, the upper supplementary clamping tongue is adjustable by means of a screw, which enables its clamping force to be adapted to the filling or weft thread currently employed, respectively to its thickness. It is in this manner possible to perform double-pick or weft insertion with secure clamping of two filling or weft threads in a weft thread entry slot.

Abstract: In a shuttleless loom in which the weft thread is inserted by an entry needle, the yarn is transferred at the center of the width of cloth to an exit needle which carries an exit clip. The stationary clip body has a wedge-shaped end which cooperates with a hook carried by a movable portion for clamping the weft thread. The yarn is held between two clamping facets carried by the wedge-shaped end of the clip body and by the hook, the facets being inclined with respect to the plane of displacement of the movable portion.

Abstract: In a carrier tape for shutttleless looms the juncture of the carrier with the tape upon which it is mounted is strengthened to resist breakage by reducing the flexing stresses in the area of the tape where the tails of the carrier are joined to the tape. The aforesaid flexing stresses are reduced by tapering the tails of the conventional carriers to a contour that provides a more gradual angular convergence with the tape, and secondly, by filling the conventional bubble in the tape with a tin alloy to stiffen the bubble area of the tape and thus move the flexing stress from the area behind the carrier to the area behind the bubble where the tape is stronger.

Abstract: The taker-gripper has a longitudinally translatable clamping tongue with a clamping tongue head. The latter is pressed by a spring into a clamping hook having a first diagonally oriented or inclined clamping flank. The weft or filling thread is thereby firmly gripped and pulled through the weaving shed. The clamping hook has a further clamping flank oriented diagonally or at an inclination in reverse relation to the diagonal or inclined orientation of the first clamping flank. A correspondingly located inclined or diagonal flank of the clamping tongue head slidingly engages the further clamping flank of the clamping hook as the clamping tongue opens. As the parts of the gripper move into the open position, a pivoting motion of the clamping tongue about a pivot pin is generated by an eccentric engagement of a tension band at the clamping tongue in relation to the pivot pin.

Abstract: A carrying gripper for shuttleless looms, of the type comprising an elongated base member with a profiled front end, in which the weft retention element is constituted by a metal pointed head pivoted on an axis parallel to said base member and arranged to engage said member under the action of a spring in order to clamp the weft yarn against it. The spring acts on an arm secured to the pointed head, on the side of that axis opposite to that on which the engagement between the head and the base member takes place, namely on the same side from which the weft yarn is fed.

Abstract: A weft inserter for weaving machines wherein the weft supply is provided from a stationary package located outside the shed including a hand and a weft gripper having a rigid lower portion and a resilient upper portion. Ramp guiding means are provided for guiding the weft into an angle over a center ramp having a finger that bears downward upon the resilient upper portion of the gripper with the result that when tension increases in the weft, at least a portion of the increased tension is transmitted to the weft gripper in the gripping direction.

Abstract: A weft transfer device having special configuration of leading and drawing pincers for inserting the weft in a shuttleless loom. The device includes a leading pincer having a boxlike body shaped to offer the entrance at high speed of the wefts and smooth sliding of the warp threads and a rigid and semi-rigid grasping surfaces, the semi-rigid surface being pressed toward the rigid surface by two independent leaf springs engaging the lateral edge of the semi-rigid surface blade. The drawing pincer includes a lower fixed grasping member and an upper hook-shaped member pivoted to the lower member and forced into engagement therewith by a leaf spring.

Abstract: Weft inserting and withdrawing grippers for a shuttleless weaving machine are disclosed, wherein the weft inserting gripper has a clamping member composed of pivoting blade-type foot biased by a spring and mounted in such a way that the foot bears against a horizontal gripping surface at an angle nearly equal to the complementary of the angle of friction between the yarn and the gripping surface. The gripping member of the withdrawing gripper has a hook with a wedge which can be axially slid towards and away from the hook to seize and hold the thread, or to clear it. The axial sliding motion of the wedge is controlled by a linkage which is resiliently biased by a spring.

Abstract: At an insertion element of a gripper loom possessing a gripper and a flexible insertion band or tape which drives such gripper, there is arranged a reinforcement element at the region of the insertion band which merges with the gripper, this reinforcement element being connected by screws or the like with the insertion band. The gripper is connected on the one hand with the reinforcement element and, on the other hand, with the insertion band likewise by screws. The gripper consists of a material having a lower specific weight or density in relation to steel and is provided at the region of its clamp member which fixedly clamps the filling thread with an insert or insert member formed of a wear-resistant material. Due to this design there are realized high stability of the insertion element, low fabrication and assembly cost, and a possibility of increasing the rotational speed of the loom owing to reduced mass of the gripper.

Abstract: The shuttleless weaving machine contains a weft inserter of a weft yarn having a receiving slot oriented towards the direction of inserting of a weft yarn. The inserter is provided with a clamp for receiving and holding the weft yarn to be inserted. The weft yarn inserter is provided with at least one cutting device. In order to render the weaving machine more simple, safer in operation and also faster, a portion of the receiving slot and the clamp are arranged in a replaceable cartridge inserted into a tubular housing. The wall of the housing is provided with a further portion of the receiving slot, which is in alignment with the first mentioned portion. The so-formed receiving slot receives and grips the weft yarn supplied to the shed of the weaving machine from the yarn bobbin.

Abstract: A thread gripper for a textile thread having a fork-like gripping member with two rigid horns 3, 7, of which the one horn 7 forms a rigid part of the thread gripper. A cushion 5 of soft resilient material is inserted in a recess 4 in the other horn 3. This cushion 5 presses a tongue 6, in order to grip the thread 11. The thread 11 is released by pressure on the nose 9 carried on top of the tongue.

Abstract: A pair of grippers for shutterless looms, of the type wherein a first gripper (carrying) grasps the weft thread at one side of the loom and carries it to the center of the warp shed, while the second gripper (drawing) receives the weft thread at the center of the warp shed from the carrying gripper, and transports it to the opposite side of the loom, where it releases the same. The weft thread grasping and holding members are mounted on head parts of the grippers disposed on opposite sides of a sliding plane. Along said sliding plane said head parts move side by side, cooperating between them for grasping and releasing the weft thread.

Abstract: An improved weft yarn insertion carrier made entirely of non-cast components which includes an elongated main body made up of horizontal and vertical webs, flexible gripper means attached to the vertical web of the main body and means for adjusting the gripping pressure exerted between the flexible gripper and the main body portion.

Abstract: A pair of grippers for shuttleless loams without shuttle, of the type wherein a first gripper (carrying) grasps the weft thread at one side of the loom and carries it to the center of the warp shed, while the second gripper (drawing) receives the weft thread at the center of the warp shed from the carrying gripper, and transports it to the opposite side of the loom, where it releases the same. The weft thread grasping and holding members mounted on head parts of the grippers disposed on opposite sides of a sliding plane. Along said sliding plane said head parts move side by side, cooperating between them for grasping and releasing the weft thread.

Abstract: Drawing gripper for weaving looms with continuous weft feed comprising a claw ending into a hook and an oscillating element, rigidly cooperating with each other for holding the weft thread grasped by the hook, said element being caused to oscillate about its own longitudinal axis by being pivoted into a support of the gripper body as well as into the hook end of said claw.

Abstract: A withdrawing carrier for looms with removal of the filling thread from stationary bobbins, the carrier having a hook and a pivotal clamping tongue. An additional clamping element is provided for augmenting the clamping action exerted by the clamping tongue upon the filling thread.