Tufting machines

Claim 2

A cut pile tufting machine for forming a plurality of series of wavy lines of cut pile loops in fabric, the wave amplitude being substantially the same in each series, comprising adjustable feed means for varying the feeding of the fabric through the machine, and means at each of a plurality of stations spaced apart longitudinally of the direction of fabric feed, for producing a lateral row of cut pile loops which are spaced apart along that row, said means at each station comprising a lateral row of laterally spaced needles for passing yarn loops through the fabric, looping hooks for engaging said loops, and cutters for cutting the loops, a carriage in combination with fabricengaging and laterally reciprocating roller means for engaging the fabric in advance of each row of needles and for imparting to the fabric lateral reciprocating movement with substantially the same amplitude at each station.

Claim 3

A cut pile tufting machine comprising in combination, adjustable feed means for feeding fabric in a path from front to rear, a plurality of transversely extending series of needle, looper and knife elements whereof the elements in each series have a predetermined pitch spacing and the different series are spaced apart for a distance greater than said pitch spacing, means for operating said plurality of series of elements for forming a series of longitudinally extending laterally spaced rows of cut pile loops in the fabric, a carriage having a plurality of fabric-gripping rollers, one of said rollers being positioned in front of and in parallel relation to each of said series of elements respectively, and patterning means operably connected to said carriage for effecting by lateral shifting of said plurality of fabric-gripping rollers positive transverse reciprocations of the fabric at a plurality of locations of its approaches in said path to said plurality of series of elements respectively all with like amplitudes greater than said pitch spacing.

Claim 4

A cut pile tufting machine comprising in combination, adjustable feed means for feeding fabric in a path from front to rear, a plurality of transversely extending series of needle, looper and knife elements whereof the elements in each series have a predetermined pitch spacing and the different series are spaced apart for a distance greater than said pitch spacing, means for operating said plurality of series of elements for forming a series of longitudinally extending laterally spaced rows of cut pile loops in the fabric, a carriage having a plurality of fabric-gripping rollers, one of said rollers being positioned in front of and in parallel relation to each of said series of elements respectively, and patterning means operably connected to said carriage for effecting by lateral shifting of said plurality of fabric-gripping rollers positive transverse reciprocations of the fabric at a plurality of locations of its approaches in said path to said plurality of series of elements respectively all with like amplitudes greater than said pitch spacing.

Claim 5

A machine as claimed in claim 2, having drive shaft means, first eccentric drive means on said drive shaft means, first connecting means connecting said first eccentric drive means to said plurality of series of needle elements, second eccentric drive means on said drive shaft means, lay shaft means, second connecting means connecting said lay shaft means to said second eccentric drive means and to said plurality of series of looper and knife elements.

Claim 6

A cut pile tufting machine comprising in combination, adjustable feed means for feeding fabric in a path from front to rear, a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of needle, looper and knife elements, drive shaft means, first eccentric drive means on said drive shaft means, first connecting means connecting said first eccentric drive means to said plurality of series of needle elements, second eccentric drive means on said drive shaft means, lay shaft means, second connecting means connecting said lay shaft means to said second eccentric drive means and to said plurality of series of looper and knife elements, a carriage having a plurality of fabric-gripping rollers, one of said rollers being positioned in front of and in parallel relation to each of said series of elements respectively, and patterning means operably connected to said carriage for effecting by lateral shifting of said plurality of fabric-gripping rollers positive transverse reciprocations of the fabric at a plurality of locations of its approaches in said path to said plurality of series of elements respectively all with like amplitudes greater than said pitch spacing.

Claim 7

A cut pile tufting machine comprising in combination, adjustable feed means for feeding fabric in a path from front to rear, a plurality of spaced transversely extending rows of needle, looper and knife elements, drive shaft means, first eccentric drive means on said drive shaft means, first connecting means connecting said first eccentric drive means to said plurality of series of needle elements, second eccentric drive means on said drive shaft means, lay shaft means, second connecting means connecting said lay shaft means to said second eccentric drive means and to said plurality of series of looper and knife elements, a carriage having a plurality of fabric-gripping rollers, one of said rollers being positioned in front of and in parallel relation to each of said series of elements respectively, and patterning means operably connected to said carriage for effecting by lateral shifting of said plurality of fabric-gripping rollers positive transverse reciprocations of the fabric at a plurality of locations of its approaches in said path to said plurality of series of elements respectively all with like amplitudes greater than said pitch spacing.

Claim 8

A machine as claimed in claim 2 having a plurality of needle bars mounting said plurality of series of needle elements respectively, a drive shaft, a first eccentric drive member on said drive shaft, a first connecting rod connecting said eccentric drive member to one of said needle bars, first elongate connecting means interconnecting said needle bars, a second eccentric drive member on said drive shaft, first and second lay shafts, a second connecting rod with arm and link means, connecting said first and second lay shafts jointly to said second eccentric drive member and respectively to one of said plurality of series of looper elements and one of said plurality of series of knife elements, and second and third elongate connecting means interconnecting said plurality of series of looper elements and said plurality of series of knife elements respectively.

Claim 9

A machine as claimed in claim 2 having a plurality of needle bars mounting said plurality of series of needle elements respectively, a like plurality of drive shafts, a first like plurality of eccentric drive members on said drive shafts respectively, a first like plurality of connecting rods connecting said eccentric drive members to said needle bars respectively, a second like plurality of eccentric drive members on said plurality or drive shafts respectively, a like plurality of first and second lay shafts, a second like plurality of connecting rods and arm and link means connecting each said first and second lay shafts jointly to one of said second eccentric drive members and respectively to one of said series of looper elements and one of said series of knife elements.

Claim 10

A machine as claimed in claim 2 having a wide needle bar mounting said plurality of series of needle elements at opposite side edges thereof, a drive shaft, an eccentric drive member on said drive shaft, and a connecting rod connecting said eccentric drive member to a middle portion of said wide needle bar.

Claim 11

A machine as claimed in claim 4 having only two of said rows of needle, looper and knife elements, a first elongate member interconnecting said two rows of needle elements, said lay shaft means comprising first and second lay shafts, said second connecting means comprising a connecting rod extending from said second eccentric drive means together with a long arm connecting said connecting rod to said second lay shaft, and a first short arm and link connection between said long arm and said first lay shaft, a short arm and bar connection between said first shaft and said two rows of looper elements, and a second short arm and link connection between said second lay shaft and said two rows of knife elements.

Claim 12

A machine as claimed in claim 4 having only two of said rows of needle, looper and knife elements, a first elongate member interconnecting said two rows of needle elements, said lay shaft means comprising first and second lay shafts, said second connecting means comprising a connecting rod extending from said second eccentric drive means together with a long arm connecting said connecting rod to said second lay shaft, a short arm and bar connection between said first shaft and said two rows of looper elements, a second short arm and link connection between said second lay shaft and said two rows of knife elements, and link and lever means connecting said long arm to said short arm and link connection.