US3595186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Needle assembly for a tufting machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-01-13
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A needle assembly for a tufting machine, comprising a hollow reciprocating needle, a stationary feed tube for the needle having at least one bore the axis of the lower end of each bore making an acute angle with the axis of the needle, pressure air means for transferring a short length of tufting material from a feed entry through the feed tube into one end of the needle, and a ram actuated to press the tuft into the needle and accompany the needle and tuft during a stroke of the needle to penetrate a backing fabric, the tuft being left in the backing fabric on completion of the stroke.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley Shorrock
- 👤 Alan Fish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:20
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05C; D05C15/00; D05C15/04; D05C15/08; D05C15/16; D05C15/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
In a tufting machine a needle assembly comprising a hollow needle, means for reciprocating said hollow needle a stationary feed tube for said needle having at least one bore the axis of the lower end of said bore making an acute angle with the axis of said needle, pressure air means for transferring a short length of tufting material from a feed entry through said feed tube into one end of said needle and a ram and actuating means to press said tuft into said needle and accompany said needle and tuft during a stroke of said needle to penetrate a backing fabric, said tuft being left in said backing fabric on completion of said stroke.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a tufting machine a needle assembly comprising a hollow needle, means for reciprocating said hollow needle a stationary feed tube for said needle having at least one bore the axis of the lower end of said bore making an acute angle with the axis of said needle, pressure air means for transferring a short length of tufting material from a feed entry through said feed tube into one end of said needle and a ram and actuating means to press said tuft into said needle and accompany said needle and tuft during a stroke of said needle to penetrate a backing fabric, said tuft being left in said backing fabric on completion of said stroke.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A needle assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said feed tube has a single bore, said needle extending up to and beyond said feed tube and sliding over the end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A needle assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said ram slides in an upper part of said needle, and comprising drive devices for said needle and ram.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A needle assembly as recited in claim 2, comprising a valve supplying pressurized air into said feed tube at its end remote from said needle a yarn entry and a yarn cutter near said valve, and means for actuating said cutter and said valve so as to cut off a tuft length of yarn from said yarn entry and blow it along said feed tube into said needle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A needle assembly as recited in claim 4 comprising a drive mechanism actuating said cutter, a solenoid which actuates said air valve, and a contact actuated by said drive mechanism to energize said solenoid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A needle assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said feed tube is of a Y-shape, a pressurized air valve, a yarn entry and a cutter for each of the branches of said tube the stem of said Y-tube resting against the upper end of said needle when the latter is at a position remote from said backing fabric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A needle assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein the ram slides in an aperture defined by said feed tube midway between the branches of said Y-tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tufting machine with a plurality of needle assemblies as claimed in claim 7, and comprising a common needle bar carrying said needles, a common mechanism operating said rams, and a common drive for said cutters.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |