Patent ID: 6550407
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: D05C

Abstract:
In a multiple needle tufting machine adapted to feed a backing fabric longitudinally from front to rear through the machine having a plurality of spaced needles aligned transversely of the machine for reciprocal movement through the backing fabric by operation of a rotary main drive shaft, a yarn feed mechanism comprising:(a) a support having a mounting surface extending longitudinally away from the tufting machine; (b) at least about five servo motors, longitudinally spaced and attached to the mounting surface, wherein each servo motor is in communication with a yarn feed roll; (c) a controller which electronically receives rotational position information for the main drive shaft and electronically sends corresponding ratiometric pattern information to the servo motors; and (d) at least about five pluralities of yarns proceeding from a yarn supply through the yarn feed mechanism to the plurality of spaced needles, such that each of the pluralities of yarns is fed by a yarn feed roll in communication with a distinct servo motor, and every yarn within each plurality of yarns is fed to an adjacent needle.