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Tufting machine and method of tufting for producing multiple rows of tufts with single lengths of yarn

  • US 4,630,558 A
  • Filed: 03/22/1984
  • Issued: 12/23/1986
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Method of producing a tufted product wherein the backing material is progressively moved along a path, passing between reciprocating needles on one side of the backing material and reciprocating loopers on the other side of the backing material, the needles in their reciprocation being moved toward the loopers in a yarn inserting stroke and away from the loopers during a needle retracting stroke, the needles being free of the backing material when the needles are retracted, the needles having ends which are sufficiently pointed that they will engage and penetrate the backing material when the needles are moved from their retracted position toward the loopers, and yarns are supplied to the needles so that the needles carry the yarns through the backing material during the movement of the needles toward the loopers, the lengths of the yarn inserting strokes of the needles being sufficient for the yarns to form loops of the yarn which protrude from the other side of the backing material after the needles have penetrated the backing material, the loopers having hook portions which are inserted, in a loop engaging action, through the loops carried by the needles when the needles are adjacent to the loopers, and the loopers temporarily holding the loops as the needles are retracted out of the backing material, the improvement comprising:

  • (a) moving the needles laterally after the needles have engaged the backing material, for shifting a transverse portion of the backing material laterally of its normal path;

    (b) then, continuing the movement of the needles so as to position the loops being inserted by the needles respectively for the loop engaging action of the loopers; and

    (c) thereafter, withdrawing the needles from said backing material to release the portion of the backing material which was shifted.

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