Controlled needle tufting machine

• US 3,881,432 A
• Filed: 06/13/1974
• Issued: 05/06/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spencer Wright Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Connie W. Dodd, William D. Stone
• Inventors: Dodd, Connie W., Stone, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schroeder, Werner H.
• Application Number:
  US05/479,021
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 112/79R,79A,79FF,221
• US Class Current: 112/80.33
• CPC Class Codes: D05C 15/32 by altering the loop length

Abstract

An adjustable needle stroke controlled needle tufting machine having means for selectively reciprocating the needles individually between an inoperative and operative position to produce patterned fabric. The machine is provided with mechanisms so that a large variation in pile height fabrics can be produced with the same machine without necessitating a complete machine conversion. The mechanism for accomplishing this comprises an adjustable needle plate, and adjustable needle stroke mechanism including an adjustable needle stop to limit the upward stroke of the needle carrier in the inoperative position.

Claims

1. In a controlled needle tufting machine, means for supporting a workpiece, a needle bar, means for reciprocating said needle bar, a yarn carrying needle, means for selectively coupling said needle to said needle bar for reciprocating said needle through said workpiece, stop means spaced above said needle, means urging said needle against said stop means when not coupled to said needle bar, means spaced below said workpiece supporting means for cooperating with said needle to form pile extending from the lower face of said workpiece, means for vertically adjusting said workpiece supporting means to vary the pile height, means for vertically adjusting the stroke of the reciprocating needle bar without changing the bottom point in the stroke, and means for adjusting the vertical position of the stop means corresponding to the change in stroke of the needle bar so that the needle may be coupled to the needle bar at each adjusted stroke.

2. In a controlled needle tufting machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said stop means adjusting means comprises screw jack means supporting said stop means for vertical movement.

3. In a controlled needle tufting machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said stop means adjusting means comprises a plurality of screw jacks interconnected for simultaneous adjustment.

4. In a controlled needle tufting machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said workpiece supporting means adjusting means comprises screw jacks.