Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: positioning a yarn bit at a loading station into bit-applying position relative to a series of more than two linearly aligned bit-applying elements; operating a first of said bit-applying elements to place a portion of said yarn bit into tufting relationship with a backing layer leaving sufficient yarn in bit-applying position for tufting thereof by the other bit-applying elements; thereafter operating said other bit-applying elements to place the remaining portions of said yarn bit in tufting relationship with the backing layer; and returning said bit-applying elements to said loading station to receive another yarn bit preparatory to the next tufting operation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: positioning a yarn bit at a loading station into bit-applying position relative to a series of more than two linearly aligned bit-applying elements; operating a first of said bit-applying elements to place a portion of said yarn bit into tufting relationship with a backing layer leaving sufficient yarn in bit-applying position for tufting thereof by the other bit-applying elements; thereafter operating said other bit-applying elements to place the remaining portions of said yarn bit in tufting relationship with the backing layer; and returning said bit-applying elements to said loading station to receive another yarn bit preparatory to the next tufting operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
167 words
A tuft bit-applying system comprising: a series of at least three individual bit-applying elements aligned with each other to receive a yarn bit common to said series and operable in synchronized manner to place said yarn bit in tufting relationship with a backing layer; mounting means for said bit-applying elements for independent movement of at least two of said bit-applying elements relative to the remaining bit-applying elements to and from a loading station; means for moving each intermediate bit-applying element of the series to place a portion of said yarn bit into tufting relationship to the backing layer, which portion of said yarn bit has in part been pulled from bit-applying elements to the right and left of each said intermediate bit-applying element; means for moving the remaining bit-applying elements to place the remaining portions of said yarn bit into tufting relationship with the backing; and means to return said bit-applying elements to said loading station to receive another yarn bit preparatory to the next tufting operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
167 words
A tuft bit-applying system comprising: a series of at least three individual bit-applying elements aligned with each other to receive a yarn bit common to said series and operable in synchronized manner to place said yarn bit in tufting relationship with a backing layer; mounting means for said bit-applying elements for independent movement of at least two of said bit-applying elements relative to the remaining bit-applying elements to and from a loading station; means for moving each intermediate bit-applying element of the series to place a portion of said yarn bit into tufting relationship to the backing layer, which portion of said yarn bit has in part been pulled from bit-applying elements to the right and left of each said intermediate bit-applying element; means for moving the remaining bit-applying elements to place the remaining portions of said yarn bit into tufting relationship with the backing; and means to return said bit-applying elements to said loading station to receive another yarn bit preparatory to the next tufting operation.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: positioning a yarn bit in eyes of three linearly aligned needles; clamping the yarn bit at the central needle; moving the central needle through a backing layer with said yarn clamped thereby pulling a portion of said yarn bit therethrough and leaving remaining portions of the yarn bit in the eyes of the outer needles; thereafter moving the outer needles through the backing layer thereby pulling the remaining portions of said yarn bit therethrough; and releasing said yarn bit from the central needle thereby leaving a series of tufts in the backing layer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: positioning a yarn bit in eyes of three linearly aligned needles; clamping the yarn bit at the central needle; moving the central needle through a backing layer with said yarn clamped thereby pulling a portion of said yarn bit therethrough and leaving remaining portions of the yarn bit in the eyes of the outer needles; thereafter moving the outer needles through the backing layer thereby pulling the remaining portions of said yarn bit therethrough; and releasing said yarn bit from the central needle thereby leaving a series of tufts in the backing layer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: positioning a yarn bit in the eyes of three linearly aligned needles; clamping said yarn bit at the central needle; moving the central needle through a backing layer thereby to move a middle portion of said yarn bit therethrough and leaving desired end portions of said yarn bit in the eyes of the outer needles; thereafter moving the outer needles through the backing layer thereby moving said end portions of said yarn bit therethrough, said ends of said yarn bit being released from said needles as said needles move away from the backing layer; and releasing the middle portion of said yarn bit from the central needle by severing said yarn bit in the region intermediate said outer needles.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: positioning a yarn bit in the eyes of three linearly aligned needles; clamping said yarn bit at the central needle; moving the central needle through a backing layer thereby to move a middle portion of said yarn bit therethrough and leaving desired end portions of said yarn bit in the eyes of the outer needles; thereafter moving the outer needles through the backing layer thereby moving said end portions of said yarn bit therethrough, said ends of said yarn bit being released from said needles as said needles move away from the backing layer; and releasing the middle portion of said yarn bit from the central needle by severing said yarn bit in the region intermediate said outer needles.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: positioning a yarn bit in the eyes of three linearly aligned needles including a central open-eye needle; clamping said yarn bit at said central needle; moving said central needle through a backing layer thereby implanting a portion of said yarn bit therein to form a loop and leaving desired end portions of said yarn bit in the eyes of the outer needles; thereafter moving the outer needles through the backing layeR thereby implanting said end portions of said yarn bit therein, said yarn bit ends being released from said needles as said needles complete their stroke through the backing layer; and releasing the middle portion of said yarn bit from said central needle by allowing the loop to slip through said open-eye.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: positioning a yarn bit in the eyes of three linearly aligned needles including a central open-eye needle; clamping said yarn bit at said central needle; moving said central needle through a backing layer thereby implanting a portion of said yarn bit therein to form a loop and leaving desired end portions of said yarn bit in the eyes of the outer needles; thereafter moving the outer needles through the backing layeR thereby implanting said end portions of said yarn bit therein, said yarn bit ends being released from said needles as said needles complete their stroke through the backing layer; and releasing the middle portion of said yarn bit from said central needle by allowing the loop to slip through said open-eye.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means for placing a discrete bit of yarn in said eyes of said needles; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of the central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for moving said central needle through the backing; means for thereafter moving the two outer threaded needles through the backing; and means for returning said needles to the loading station to receive another yarn bit preparatory to the next tufting operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means for placing a discrete bit of yarn in said eyes of said needles; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of the central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for moving said central needle through the backing; means for thereafter moving the two outer threaded needles through the backing; and means for returning said needles to the loading station to receive another yarn bit preparatory to the next tufting operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
132 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means for placing a discrete bit of yarn in said eyes of said needles; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of the central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for clamping the yarn bit to said central needle; means for moving the central needle through the backing; means for thereafter moving the two outer needles through the backing; means for releasing said clamping means to release said yarn bit from said needles upon completion of their movement through the backing; and means for returning said needles to the loading station to receive another yarn bit preparatory to the next tufting operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
132 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means for placing a discrete bit of yarn in said eyes of said needles; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of the central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for clamping the yarn bit to said central needle; means for moving the central needle through the backing; means for thereafter moving the two outer needles through the backing; means for releasing said clamping means to release said yarn bit from said needles upon completion of their movement through the backing; and means for returning said needles to the loading station to receive another yarn bit preparatory to the next tufting operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
136 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each needle station; yarn clamping means associated with said central needle; mounting means for said needle for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for placing a discrete bit of yarn in said eyes of said needles; means for moving said central needle through the backing; means for moving the two outside threaded needles through the backing; and means for operating said clamping means to release the yarn bit from said central needle after it has been moved through the backing, the remainder of said yarn bit being freed from the outside two needles as the ends of said yarn bit are pulled from the eyes thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
136 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each needle station; yarn clamping means associated with said central needle; mounting means for said needle for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for placing a discrete bit of yarn in said eyes of said needles; means for moving said central needle through the backing; means for moving the two outside threaded needles through the backing; and means for operating said clamping means to release the yarn bit from said central needle after it has been moved through the backing, the remainder of said yarn bit being freed from the outside two needles as the ends of said yarn bit are pulled from the eyes thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A needle system as set forth in claim 2 for a tufting machine wherein: said central needle has an open eye with a cam surface disposed along the bottom of said eye to facilitate the casting off of tufted loops.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
A needle system as set forth in claim 2 for a tufting machine wherein: at least one of the needles has an open eye and includes a means to cast off a yarn loop that has been tufted and further includes a clamp means for clamping yarn disposed within said needle and designed to project into and withdraw out of said open eye.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
177 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; a single element combination yarn-clamp and knife means associated with said central needle; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; operating means for operating said combination yarn-clamp and knife means in timed relation with said reciprocating movement of said needle means; and means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing by first the central needle and Secondly by said outside two needles while said yarn bit is clamped by said combination means, the ends of said yarn bit sliding through the eyes of the outside needles as they move through the backing, said operating means then actuating said knife means to cut said yarn bit at said central needle to release said yarn bit from the eye of that needle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
177 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; a single element combination yarn-clamp and knife means associated with said central needle; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; operating means for operating said combination yarn-clamp and knife means in timed relation with said reciprocating movement of said needle means; and means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing by first the central needle and Secondly by said outside two needles while said yarn bit is clamped by said combination means, the ends of said yarn bit sliding through the eyes of the outside needles as they move through the backing, said operating means then actuating said knife means to cut said yarn bit at said central needle to release said yarn bit from the eye of that needle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
166 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; a single element combination yarn-clamp and knife means associated with the central needle, said combination means having a shank coextensive with the central needle shank; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for operating said mounting means successively to move said yarn bit through said backing first by said central needle and secondly by the outside two needles; and means for operating said shank of said combination means to clamp said yarn bit during said successive movements of said needle means and upon completion of said successive movements for further operating said shank to cut said yarn bit at the central needle to release said yarn bit from the eye of the central needle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
166 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; a single element combination yarn-clamp and knife means associated with the central needle, said combination means having a shank coextensive with the central needle shank; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for operating said mounting means successively to move said yarn bit through said backing first by said central needle and secondly by the outside two needles; and means for operating said shank of said combination means to clamp said yarn bit during said successive movements of said needle means and upon completion of said successive movements for further operating said shank to cut said yarn bit at the central needle to release said yarn bit from the eye of the central needle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
235 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; a single element combination yarn-clamp and knife means associated with said central needle, said combination means being positioned externally of said central needle; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing by first the central needle and secondly by said outside two needles, while said yarn bit is clamped by said combination means, the ends of said yarn bit sliding through the eyes of the outside needles as they move through the backing, said operating means then actuating said knife means to cut said yarn bit at said central needle to release said yarn bit from the eye of that needle; means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing by first the central needle and secondly by said outside two needles while said yarn bit is clamped by said combination means, said operating means then serving as a cutting means in conjunction with a surface of said central needle to cut said yarn bit to release said yarn bit from the eye of that needle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
235 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; a single element combination yarn-clamp and knife means associated with said central needle, said combination means being positioned externally of said central needle; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing by first the central needle and secondly by said outside two needles, while said yarn bit is clamped by said combination means, the ends of said yarn bit sliding through the eyes of the outside needles as they move through the backing, said operating means then actuating said knife means to cut said yarn bit at said central needle to release said yarn bit from the eye of that needle; means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing by first the central needle and secondly by said outside two needles while said yarn bit is clamped by said combination means, said operating means then serving as a cutting means in conjunction with a surface of said central needle to cut said yarn bit to release said yarn bit from the eye of that needle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tufting needle system for a tufting machine comprising: needle means including needle moving means in which at least one needle has associated therewith a single element combination clamp knife means which operates against a surface of said needle to first, in one position of the needle, clamp the yarn against said needle surface and when said needle is moved to a second position, cut the yarn by an additional movement against said needle surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tufting needle system for a tufting machine comprising: needle means including needle moving means in which at least one needle has associated therewith a single element combination clamp knife means which operates against a surface of said needle to first, in one position of the needle, clamp the yarn against said needle surface and when said needle is moved to a second position, cut the yarn by an additional movement against said needle surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
127 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing in three places by first the central needle followed by the two outer needles; means to rotate said central needle to facilitate the severing of the yarn implanted in said backing by said central needle; and means to sever said yarn implanted by said ceNtral needle while said central needle is in its rotated position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
127 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing in three places by first the central needle followed by the two outer needles; means to rotate said central needle to facilitate the severing of the yarn implanted in said backing by said central needle; and means to sever said yarn implanted by said ceNtral needle while said central needle is in its rotated position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
162 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing by first the central needle followed by the two outer needles; means to rotate said central needle to cause a tufted loop to rotate including an arm extending from the base of the central needle staff which is connected by link means to a bar whereby the longitudinal movement of said bar causes said needle to rotate; and cutting means including a hook and knife combination operable to first hook the tufted yarn loop after the central needle has been rotated and then to cut the loop by said knife.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
162 words
A tufting machine comprising: reciprocating needle means in which a series of three needles having aligned eyes are disposed at each loading station; means to load a yarn bit in said eyes of said needle means; mounting means for said needle means for reciprocating movement of said central needle independent of reciprocating movement of the two outer needles; means for operating said mounting means to move said yarn bit through said backing by first the central needle followed by the two outer needles; means to rotate said central needle to cause a tufted loop to rotate including an arm extending from the base of the central needle staff which is connected by link means to a bar whereby the longitudinal movement of said bar causes said needle to rotate; and cutting means including a hook and knife combination operable to first hook the tufted yarn loop after the central needle has been rotated and then to cut the loop by said knife.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: placing yarn in loading position relative to a series of more than two successively aligned yarn-tufting elements; operating a first of said yarn-tufting elements to place a portion of the yarn into tufting relationship with a backing layer and leaving sufficient yarn in loading position for the other yarn-tufting elements; thereafter operating other yarn-tufting elements to place the remaining portions of the yarn in tufting relationship with the backing layer; and releasing the yarn from the yarn-tufting elements.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of tufting comprising the steps of: placing yarn in loading position relative to a series of more than two successively aligned yarn-tufting elements; operating a first of said yarn-tufting elements to place a portion of the yarn into tufting relationship with a backing layer and leaving sufficient yarn in loading position for the other yarn-tufting elements; thereafter operating other yarn-tufting elements to place the remaining portions of the yarn in tufting relationship with the backing layer; and releasing the yarn from the yarn-tufting elements.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
158 words
A tufting machine comprising: a first needle bar means and a central needle supported thereon; a second needle bar means and two outer needles supported thereon; said central and outer needles having aligned eyes; said second needle bar means having an aperture formed therethrough between said outer needles and receiving said central needle; first reciprocating means actuating said central needle between said outer needles so that relative motion may occur between said first and said outer needles; means to place a single bit of yarn in the aligned eyes of said first and outer needles; said first reciprocating means adapted to move said threaded central needle through the backing; second reciprocating means adapted to move said two outer threaded needles through the backing subsequent to the movement of said central needle through the backing; and means to cause the yarn bit to be released from said first and outer needles after it has been drawn through the backing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
158 words
A tufting machine comprising: a first needle bar means and a central needle supported thereon; a second needle bar means and two outer needles supported thereon; said central and outer needles having aligned eyes; said second needle bar means having an aperture formed therethrough between said outer needles and receiving said central needle; first reciprocating means actuating said central needle between said outer needles so that relative motion may occur between said first and said outer needles; means to place a single bit of yarn in the aligned eyes of said first and outer needles; said first reciprocating means adapted to move said threaded central needle through the backing; second reciprocating means adapted to move said two outer threaded needles through the backing subsequent to the movement of said central needle through the backing; and means to cause the yarn bit to be released from said first and outer needles after it has been drawn through the backing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
156 words
A tufting machine comprising: a first needle bar means and a central needle supported thereon; a second needle bar means and two outer needles supported thereon, said central and outer needles having aligned eyes; said second needle bar means having a configuration providing an unobstructed frame path for said central needle; first reciprocating means actuating said central needle between said outer needles so that relative motion may occur between said first and said outer needles; means to place a single bit of yarn in the aligned eyes of said first and outer needles; said first reciprocating means adapted to move said threaded central needle through the backing; second reciprocating means adapted to move said two outer threaded needles through the backing subsequent to the movement of said central needle through the backing; and means to cause the yarn bit to be released from said first and outer needles after it has been moved through the backing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
156 words
A tufting machine comprising: a first needle bar means and a central needle supported thereon; a second needle bar means and two outer needles supported thereon, said central and outer needles having aligned eyes; said second needle bar means having a configuration providing an unobstructed frame path for said central needle; first reciprocating means actuating said central needle between said outer needles so that relative motion may occur between said first and said outer needles; means to place a single bit of yarn in the aligned eyes of said first and outer needles; said first reciprocating means adapted to move said threaded central needle through the backing; second reciprocating means adapted to move said two outer threaded needles through the backing subsequent to the movement of said central needle through the backing; and means to cause the yarn bit to be released from said first and outer needles after it has been moved through the backing.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
139 words
A tufting machine comprising: a first needle support means and a central needle supported thereon; a second needle support means and two outer needles supported thereon, said central and outer needles having aligned eyes; first reciprocating means actuating said central needle between said outer needles so that relative motion may occUr between said first and said outer needles; means to place a single bit of yarn in the aligned eyes of said first and outer needles; said first reciprocating means adapted to move said threaded central needle through the backing; second reciprocating means adapted to move said two outer threaded needles through the backing subsequent to the movement of said central needle through the backing; and means to cause the yarn bit to be released from said first and outer needles after it has been moved through the backing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
139 words
A tufting machine comprising: a first needle support means and a central needle supported thereon; a second needle support means and two outer needles supported thereon, said central and outer needles having aligned eyes; first reciprocating means actuating said central needle between said outer needles so that relative motion may occUr between said first and said outer needles; means to place a single bit of yarn in the aligned eyes of said first and outer needles; said first reciprocating means adapted to move said threaded central needle through the backing; second reciprocating means adapted to move said two outer threaded needles through the backing subsequent to the movement of said central needle through the backing; and means to cause the yarn bit to be released from said first and outer needles after it has been moved through the backing.