Tufting machine patterning apparatus

• US 5,566,629 A
• Filed: 04/11/1995
• Issued: 10/22/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Spencer Wright Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Spencer Wright Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Satterfield, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEWIS, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US08/420,127
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 112/80.73, 112/80.72, 112/302, 112/80.7, 112/80.01
• US Class Current: 112/80.01
• CPC Class Codes: D05C 15/32 by altering the loop length

Abstract

A tufting machine includes a pattern attachment mounted between a yarn feeding device and the needles, the yarn feeding device feeding yarn to the needles at a constant rate in an amount sufficient to accommodate the yarn requirements of the needle and looper system. The pattern attachment includes a series of slats rotatable about an axis in timed relationship to the reciprocation of the needles. Each slat includes a yarn receiving groove corresponding to each needle, certain of the grooves being shallower than others. A first yarn guide directs yarn from the feeding device to the pattern attachment while a second yarn guide directs yarn from the pattern attachment toward the needles. The slats are mounted on chains fastened to sprockets mounted on a driven shaft. The yarn is tensioned so that the full amount of yarn fed by the feeding device may be received by the needles, and when yarn enters a shallow groove, the yarn is pulled back from the respective needle resulting in a loop that is shorter than when the full amount of yarn is received by the needle.

Claims

1. In a tufting machine, means for feeding a base material in one direction, a yarn carrying needle disposed on one side of said base material, means for reciprocating said needle for penetrating said base material and forming loops therein, a looper disposed on the other side of said base material from said needle and having a free end pointing in the direction of feed of said base material for seizing and shedding the loops in succession, yarn feed means for feeding yarn to said needle at a constant rate in an amount sufficient to accommodate the yarn requirements of said needle to form a loop at a disposition for seizing by said looper, a pattern attachment separate from said feed means disposed intermediate said feed means and said needle for selectively pulling yarn from said needle so that the amount of yarn fed to said needle is inadequate to accommodate said yarn requirements, said pattern attachment comprising a plurality of slats mounted for movement about an axis, means for moving said slats about said axis in timed relationship to the reciprocation of said needle, each of said slats having a groove formed on a distal end, the grooves in certain of said slats being deeper than the grooves in other of said slats, and yarn guide means comprising a first yarn guide adjacent said attachment for directing yarn from said feed means into the groove of a first of said moving slats, and a second yarn guide adjacent said attachment for receiving yarn from the groove of a second of said moving slats remote from said first slat and directing said yarn to said needle, said yarn being disposed within a groove of each slat in a sector of slats between said first and second slat.

2. In a tufting machine as recited in claim 1, including a plurality of yarn carrying needles reciprocated for penetrating said base material and forming respective loops therein, a looper corresponding to each needle, each of said slats having a plurality of grooves, one groove of each slat corresponding to each needle.

3. In a tufting machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said slats are mounted for rotation about said axis, and said means for moving said slats comprises means for rotating said slats about said axis, said sector comprising an arc of a circle about said axis, said first slat being a slat rotatably entering said sector, and said second slat being a slat rotatably exiting said sector.

4. In a tufting machine as recited in claim 3, including a plurality of yarn carrying needles reciprocated for penetrating said base material and forming respective loops therein, a looper corresponding to each needle, each of said slats having a plurality of grooves, one groove of each slat corresponding to each needle.

5. In a tufting machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for rotating said slats comprises a shaft rotatably driven in timed relationship to said needles, a plurality of sprockets mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, a chain having a plurality of links mounted on each sprocket, and means for securing each slat to a link at a location spaced from said distal end.

6. In a tufting machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said axis is transverse to the direction of feed of said base material.