Inline needle tufting machine with needle modules
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A needle module for use with a tufting machine comprising:
- first and second needle holders having a base portion connected to a needle;
a first guide plate locating the first and second needle holders laterally in spaced apart relationship, the first needle holders being substantially parallel to one another, the second needle holders being substantially parallel to one another; and
a mounting block secured to the first guide plate and adapted to be secured within the tufting machine;
each of said first and second needle holders moveable between an engaged and a dis-engaged position relative to the first guide plate, said first and second needle holders normally biased in the dis-engaged position by spring members intermediate the respective first and second needle holders and the first guide plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tufting machine configured to provide needles co-linearly along a tufting plane from opposing needle holders provided in a needle module. The needle holders may be selectively latched with latch pins connected to limbs extending from a yoke connected to the push rod of the tufting machine. The needle holders are biased in a dis-engaged position with compression springs which extend between caps on the needle holders and a guide plate which locates the needle holders laterally while spacing the opposed needle holders from one another.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A needle module for use with a tufting machine comprising:
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first and second needle holders having a base portion connected to a needle;
a first guide plate locating the first and second needle holders laterally in spaced apart relationship, the first needle holders being substantially parallel to one another, the second needle holders being substantially parallel to one another; and
a mounting block secured to the first guide plate and adapted to be secured within the tufting machine;
each of said first and second needle holders moveable between an engaged and a dis-engaged position relative to the first guide plate, said first and second needle holders normally biased in the dis-engaged position by spring members intermediate the respective first and second needle holders and the first guide plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 6, 7, 8)
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4. A needle module for use with a tufting machine comprising:
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first and second needle holders having a base portion connected to a needle;
a first guide plate locating the first and second needle holders laterally in spaced apart relationship, the first needle holders being substantially parallel to one another, the second needle holders being substantially parallel to one another, the first guide plate including bores extending there through, rods extending through the bores and into the base portion, said rods securing the first and second needle holders laterally relative to said first guide plate while allowing up and down movement between the engaged and dis-engaged positions; and
a mounting block secured to the first guide plate and adapted to be secured within the tufting machine;
each of said first and second needle holders moveable between an engaged and a dis-engaged position relative to the first guide plate, said first and second needle holders normally biased in the dis-engaged position by compression spring members. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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9. A needle module for a tufting machine comprising:
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a plurality of first and second needle holders, each first and second needle holders having a base portion connected to a needle;
a first guide plate locating at least portions of the plurality of first and second needle holders opposite one another relative to a tufting plane defined therebetween; and
a mounting block secured to said first guide plate for supporting said plurality of first and second needle holders and first guide plate as a unit;
said plurality of first and second needle holders moveable between an engaged and a dis-engaged position relative to the first guide plate, said first and second needle holders locating their respective needles along the tufting plane. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A needle module for a tufting machine comprising:
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first and second needle holders, each first and second needle holders having a base portion connected to a needle;
a first guide plate locating at least portions of the first and second needle holders laterally opposite one another relative to a tufting plane defined therebetween;
a mounting block secured to said first guide plate for supporting said first and second needle holders and first guide plate as a unit;
said first and second needle holders moveable between an engaged and a dis-engaged position relative to the first guide plate, said first and second needle holders locating their respective needles along the tufting plane;
compression spring members connected to the first and second needle holders; and
caps connected to the first and second needle holders with the compression spring members located between the caps and the first guide plate;
wherein the first guide plate further comprises bores, and further comprising rods extending between the caps and the base portions through the bores to restrict lateral movement of the first and second needle holders while allowing up and down movement between the engaged and disengaged position, and compression spring members which compress upon application of force to allow the needle holders to move up and down relative to the first guide plate. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
a head for mounting drive means including a push rod reciprocating in a linear path;
a bed disposed beneath the head having means for supporting a backing material fed in a longitudinal direction normal to said path;
a yoke connected to the push rod driving opposing limbs on either side of a tufting axis; and
selectively operable latches connected to the limbs, each of said latches configured to operably connect with one of the first and second needle holders.
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16. A tufting machine comprising:
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a head for mounting drive means including a push rod reciprocating in a linear path;
a bed disposed beneath the head having means for supporting a backing material fed in a longitudinal direction normal to said path;
a yoke connected to the push rod driving opposing limbs on either side of a tufting plane;
a first needle module having first and second needle holders, said first needle holders opposing said second needle holders on opposing sides of the tufting plane, said first and second needle holders connected to needles, said needle module locating said needles of both said first and second needle holders in the tufting plane; and
selectively operable latches connected to the limbs, each of said latches configured to operably connect with one of the first and second needle holders. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification