Patent · US Expired

Tufting machine with pattern yarn feed and distribution device

US5983815A · kind A · utility

74Cited by
13References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 1998
Grant dateNov 16, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 10, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
  • CPC primaryD05C15/32
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A tufting machine with an improved pattern yarn feed and distribution device for use in tufting a graphic pattern into the face of a tufted article. An improved pattern yarn feed drive is provided with at least two separate yarn drive control sections which together provide an increased number of controls such that any one control is adapted to drive a predetermined number of tufting yarns selectively passed thereabout for minimizing the length between any one of the tufting yarns and its respective tufting needle. An improved tube bank configuration is used with the pattern yarn drive assembly, and comprises at least two tube bank sections, each of which is also constructed and arranged to minimize the length of the yarns passed therethrough from a respective one of the yarn drive controls to a respective one of the tufting needles. This improved construction minimizes the problems of yarn elasticity and yarn lag when feeding the yarns to the needles of the tufting machine, thus greatly reducing the likelihood of a loss of pattern definition occurring in the graphic pattern being tufted in the face of the tufted article on the tufting machine.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.