Gripper device for tufting machine

• US 7,707,953 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
• Original Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
• Inventors: Waschle, Roland, Moser, Hans Werner, Kaas, Timo, Hillenbrand, Bernd, Maute, Andrea
• Primary Examiner(s): Izaguirre; Ismael
• Application Number:
  US11/709,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20070200286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 112/80.5, 112/80.51, 112/80.52, 112/80.54, 112/80.55, 112/80.56, 112/80.7, 112/80.71
• US Class Current: 112/80.55
• CPC Class Codes: D05C 15/22 Loop-catching arrangements, e.g. loopers; Driving mechanisms therefor
• CPC Class Codes: D05C 15/36 by selective cutting of loops

Abstract

The inventive gripper device for a tufting machine comprises a gripper device (10). The gripper device contains a gripper (11) and a guide member (12) that has a cutting edge. The gripper (11) has two gripper sections that are at a distance from each other in the direction of movement and are preferably separated from each other by a step (33) and/or by an extension (34), said gripper sections being configured as gripper edges that are parallel to each other, but spaced apart and offset with respect to each other in view of the pile height direction. The reversal between cut pile operating mode and looped pile operating mode takes place by means of the longitudinal adjustment of the gripper (11).

Claims

1. Gripper device for tufting machines for the manufacture of carpets, comprising:

a gripper having a first gripper section for the production of looped pile and a second gripper section for the production of cut pile;

a guide member associated with the gripper, with the gripper being supported on the guide member and longitudinally moveable therein;

a cutting edge provided on the guide member; and

,

a knife associated with the cutting edge on the guide member.

2. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first gripper section has a straight gripper edge.

3. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second gripper section has a straight gripper edge.

4. Gripper device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the gripper edges are aligned parallel to each other.

5. Gripper device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the gripper edges are arranged offset with respect to each other, viewed in tufting needle punching direction.

6. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first gripper section and the second gripper section are at a distance from each other in a gripper adjustment direction.

7. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first gripper section and the second gripper section are separated from each other by a step.

8. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein an extension is formed between the first gripper section and the second gripper section.

9. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gripper is seamlessly made in one piece of one and the same material.

10. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gripper is made of a material exhibiting a wear resistance that is different from the wear resistance of the tufting needles.

11. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gripper has a cutout for an adjustment unit in order to adjust the position of the gripper with respect to the guide member.

12. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cutting edge is straight.

13. Gripper device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the guide member is made of a material exhibiting a wear resistance that is different from the wear resistance of the gripper.