TUFTING MACHINE WITH POSITIVE POSITIONING MEANS FOR BACKING MATERIAL

• US 3,865,059 A
• Filed: 03/12/1973
• Issued: 02/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Obie R. Jackson
• Original Assignee: Obie R. Jackson
• Inventors: Jackson, Obie R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Application Number:
  US05/339,778
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 112/79R,79A 26/61R,61A,62R,62C,54R 38/143
• US Class Current: 112/80.32
• CPC Class Codes: D05C 15/14 Arrangements or devices for holding or feeding the base material D05C15/26 takes precedence

Abstract

The positive positioning means of the tufting machine of the present invention prevents lateral movement of the backing material as it passes beneath successive rows of tufting needles so that the rows of tufts are accurately positioned, relative to each other and to the backing material. This machine is particularly adapted for forming narrow or fine gauge pile fabrics, such as upholstery fabrics, carpet and the like wherein the rows of tufts are closely spaced. The positive positioning means includes a pair of endless chains having upper reaches supported for movement transversely of and adjacent opposite ends of the rows of tufting needles. Gripping means is carried by the chain for engaging the side edge portions of the backing material and for positively maintaining the lateral position of the backing material as it is moved beneath the successive rows of tufting needles.

Claims

1. A tufting machine for forming narrow gauge pile fabrics including an elongate backing material and yarns penetrating the backing material and forming rows of tufts extending longitudinally of the backing material, said machine comprising a. a first row of spaced tufting needles mounted for reciprocation in a direction transverse to the backing material and arranged to carry yarns through the backing material to form spaced apart first rows of tufts therein, b. a second row of spaced tufting needles mounted for reciprocation in a direction transverse to the backing material and arranged to carry yarns through the backing material, said second row of tufting needles being widely spaced from and offset relative to the needles of said first row to form second rows of tufts in the spaces between the first rows of tufts. c. pile forming means disposed beneath the backing material for forming pile from the yarns carried by said needles, and d. positive positioning means for feeding the elongate backing material beneath said first and second rows of spaced tufting needles and for preventing both lateral shifting and longitudinal sagging of the elongate backing material as it moves from said first to said second row of tufting needles, said positive positioning means comprising 1. a pair of endless chains having upper reaches supported for movement transversely of and adjacent opposite ends of said rows of tufting needles, 2. gripping means carried by said chains for engaging the side edge portions of said backing material and for positively maintaining the lateral position of said backing material as it is moved from said first row to said second row of tufting needles by said chains, 3. a rotatable picker roll supported on a fixed axis extending transversely between said chains and parallel to said rows of tufting needles, and including outwardly extending pins adapted to engage the backing material as the same is drawn over said picker roll, and 4. drive means for imparting movement to said chains, and for imparting rotation to said picker roll which is coordinated to the speed of movement of said chains.

2. A tufting machine according to claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises a series of plates carried by and extending inwardly from each of said chains, and pins carried by said plates and extending upwardly along the upper reaches of said chains.

3. a rotatable picker roll supported on a fixed axis extending transversely between said chains and parallel to said rows of tufting needles, and including outwardly extending pins adapted to engage the backing material as the same is drawn over said picker roll, and

4. A tufting machine according to claim 3 including adjustment means operatively associated with at least one of said guide tracks for adjusting the distance between said tracks.

5. A tufting machine according to claim 3 including a first pair of sprockets supported adjacent the leading ends of said chain guide tracks, and a second pair of sprockets supported adjacent the trailing ends of said chain guide tracks, said sprockets supporting the upper reaches of said chains.

6. A tufting machine according to claim 5 including drive means for imparting reciprocation to said rows of tufting needles and wherein said drive means for said chains and picker roll is operatively connected to said needle drive means so that said chains and picker roll move the backing material beneath said rows of tufting needles in timed relationship to reciprocation of said tufting needles.

7. A tufting machine according to claim 6 wherein said picker roll is supported between said first pair of sprockets.

8. A tufting machine according to claiM 7 including a pair of guide rolls engaging opposite side edge portions of the backing material prior to engagement with said picker roll, and pins extending outwardly from said guide rolls for spreading the outer edge portions of the backing material outwardly as it moves toward said picker roll and said pins carried by said chains.