Patent ID: 6886477
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: D05C

Abstract:
1. A tufting needle assembly for use with a tufting machine, the tufting machine having a frame, at least one elongate and reciprocating needle bar supported on the frame and adapted for a lateral shifting motion with respect to the frame, and a series of loopers of a predetermined tufting machine gauge, one series of loopers for each needle bar, positioned with respect to the needle bar, said tufting needle assembly comprising: a first gauge block adapted to be mounted on the at least one needle bar; a first series of gauge elements disposed on the gauge block, the gauge elements within said first series being spaced from one another along a first longitudinal axis extending in the lengthwise direction of the gauge block; and a second series of gauge elements disposed on the first gauge block, the gauge elements within said second series being spaced from one another along a second longitudinal axis extending in the lengthwise direction of the gauge block, the second longitudinal axis being spaced from and parallel to the first longitudinal axis; wherein at least one gauge element within said first series is offset with respect to the first longitudinal axis and from adjacent ones of the gauge elements within said first series, and wherein the gauge elements within said second series are aligned with respect to one another and extend linearly alone the second longitudinal axis.