Fabric shift sequencing for pattern producing hollow needle tufting apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for inserting tufts into a backing material in a tufting machine having a plurality of laterally spaced apart reciprocating needles in a row for penetrating the backing material to insert the tufts therein, said method comprising:
- feeding said backing material continuously through said machine in a longitudinal direction substantially normal to said row of reciprocating needles;
shifting said backing material laterally in seriatim a first plurality of steps in a first direction between a pair of adjacent needles and penetrating said backing by said needles after each shift to form in said backing a first plurality of spaced apart tufts by each needle;
the individual tufts of said first plurality of tufts formed by each needle being disposed along a first line inclined with respect to said longitudinal direction and inclined with respect to said row of needles;
thereafter shifting said backing material laterally in seriatim a second plurality of steps different in number than the first plurality of steps in a second direction opposite to said first direction and penetrating said backing material by said needles after each shift to form in said backing material a second plurality of spaced apart tufts by each needle different in number than the first plurality of tufts; and
the individual tufts of said second plurality of tufts formed by each needle being disposed along a second line inclined with respect to said longitudinal direction, inclined with respect to said row of needles and inclined with respect to said first line.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for producing tufted fabric in a hollow needle tufting machine having transversely spaced apart needles including apparatus for shifting a backing material into which the tufts are inserted by the needles. The backing material is fed continuously in the feed direction longitudinally through the machine and is fed a number of steps laterally between adjacent needles and penetrated by the needles after each shift. The sequencing of the shifting and the feeding of the backing is such as to provide a row of tufts in the backing material along a line inclined relative to the direction the backing material is fed to the machine. The nominal number of tufts inserted between lateral ends of each row of tufts is equal to the spacing between adjacent needles divided by the selected stitch gauge. The sequencing of the shifting is such that certain rows of tufts have a number of tufts equal to the nominal number while alternate rows have more than the nominal number of tufts so that the lines of tufts have ends transversely offset relative to the adjacent lines of tufts. The sequencing additionally is such that the rows of tufts produced by each needle forms a chevron pattern which is repeated periodically. In this manner streak lines between adjacent needles are substantially eliminated.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method for inserting tufts into a backing material in a tufting machine having a plurality of laterally spaced apart reciprocating needles in a row for penetrating the backing material to insert the tufts therein, said method comprising:
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feeding said backing material continuously through said machine in a longitudinal direction substantially normal to said row of reciprocating needles; shifting said backing material laterally in seriatim a first plurality of steps in a first direction between a pair of adjacent needles and penetrating said backing by said needles after each shift to form in said backing a first plurality of spaced apart tufts by each needle; the individual tufts of said first plurality of tufts formed by each needle being disposed along a first line inclined with respect to said longitudinal direction and inclined with respect to said row of needles; thereafter shifting said backing material laterally in seriatim a second plurality of steps different in number than the first plurality of steps in a second direction opposite to said first direction and penetrating said backing material by said needles after each shift to form in said backing material a second plurality of spaced apart tufts by each needle different in number than the first plurality of tufts; and the individual tufts of said second plurality of tufts formed by each needle being disposed along a second line inclined with respect to said longitudinal direction, inclined with respect to said row of needles and inclined with respect to said first line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification