Single end servo motor driven scroll pattern attachment for tufting machine and computerized design system for tufting carpet
First Claim
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1. A multiple needle tufting machine comprising:
- (a) a yarn drive array receiving a plurality of yarns from a yarn supply;
(b) a plurality of laterally spaced needles receiving the plurality of yarns from the yarn drive array;
(c) a main drive for reciprocating the plurality of laterally spaced needles through a backing fabric fed longitudinally from front to rear through the tufting machine;
(d) a looper mechanism acting in synchronized cooperation with the plurality of needles to seize loops of yarn from said plurality of needles; and
(e) a master controller receiving information relative to the position of the main drive;
wherein the yarn drive array consists essentially of single end yarn drives.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a single end scroll-type yarn feed attachment for tufting machines characterized by an array of single end yarn drives operated by servo motor controllers, and methods of using such an attachment to create and tuft new carpet patterns.
50 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multiple needle tufting machine comprising:
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(a) a yarn drive array receiving a plurality of yarns from a yarn supply;
(b) a plurality of laterally spaced needles receiving the plurality of yarns from the yarn drive array;
(c) a main drive for reciprocating the plurality of laterally spaced needles through a backing fabric fed longitudinally from front to rear through the tufting machine;
(d) a looper mechanism acting in synchronized cooperation with the plurality of needles to seize loops of yarn from said plurality of needles; and
(e) a master controller receiving information relative to the position of the main drive;
wherein the yarn drive array consists essentially of single end yarn drives. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18)
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11. A method of creating and tufting a carpet pattern comprising the steps of:
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scanning a color image to create a digital image;
processing the digital image by a computer to calculate corresponding yarn heights and yarn feed increments for a plurality of colors of yarns in a carpet pattern to create pattern information;
inputting the pattern information into a master controller of a multi-needle tufting machine;
threading yarn ends of said plurality of colors of yarns from a yarn supply through a yarn drive array of single end yarn drives, each comprising a servo motor and an associated yarn feed roll, to a plurality of laterally spaced needles;
reciprocating the plurality of laterally spaced needles threaded with said plurality of yarns through a backing fabric fed longitudinally from front to back through the tufting machine;
sending information relative to the position of the plurality of needles to the master controller;
the main controller sending information relative to the amount of yarn to be fed for the next stitch to a servo motor controller;
the servo motor controller directing a servo motor of a single end yarn drive to rotate the associated yarn feed roll the distance required to feed the yarn end the appropriate amount for the stitch; and
operating a looper mechanism in synchronized cooperation with the plurality of needles to seize loops of yarn tufted through the backing fabric. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20)
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Specification