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Stitch distribution control system for tufting machines

  • US 10,400,376 B2
  • Filed: 08/31/2018
  • Issued: 09/03/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A tufting machine for forming tufted articles having a pattern including tufts of multiple different color and/or type yarns arranged in a backing material at a desired number of stitches per inch, comprising:

  • one or more needle bars each carrying a series of needles;

    backing feed rolls feeding the backing material along a path of travel through the tufting machine;

    at least one yarn feed mechanism for feeding yarns to each of the needles;

    at least one shift mechanism for shifting the one or more needle bars or shifting the backing material transversely with respect to the path of travel of the backing material;

    a series of gauge parts mounted below the zone in a position to engage said needles of the at least one needle bar as the needles are reciprocated into the backing material to form tufts of yarns in the backing material; and

    a stitch distribution control system controlling the backing feed rolls to feed the backing material through the tufting machine at a variable stitch rate, including feeding the backing material at an effective process stitch rate based on the desired number of stitches per inch of the pattern multiplied by a number of different color or type yarns used in the pattern for forming at least a portion of the pattern, for controlling said yarn feed mechanism to control feeding of the yarns to said needles, and controlling the at least one shift mechanism so as to present and maintain yarns at selected stitch locations along the backing material as needed in accordance with the pattern for the tufted article being formed.

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