Patent ID: 6009818
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: D05C

Abstract:
A pattern yarn feed device for use with a tufting machine in the manufacture of tufted articles, the tufting machine having a frame, a supply of tufting yarn, at least one needle bar supported on the frame for reciprocating motion toward and away from a tufting zone defined beneath the needle bar and through which a backing material is transversely passed, the needle bar having a plurality of tufting needles thereon, and a yarn feed path along which yarns extend from the yarn supply to the respective needles of the tufting machine, said pattern yarn feed device comprising:a yarn feed roll assembly positioned on the frame of the tufting machine adjacent the yarn feed path, said yarn feed roll assembly having:an elongate rotatable yarn feed roll, said yarn feed roll extending along a longitudinal axis and having an exterior yarn driving periphery for engaging yarns thereon;means for rotating said yarn feed roll about said axis; andat least one yarn applying member, said at least one yarn applying member extending parallel to said yarn feed roll, being movable about the yarn feed roll in an orbital path, and being selectively movable from a yarn receiving position spaced from said yarn feed roll for receiving an intermediate portion of selected ones of the yarns thereon into a yarn applying position engaged with at least a portion of the yarn driving periphery of the yarn feed roll for applying the selected ones of the yarns thereto;whereby the rotation of the yarn feed roll drives the selected ones of the yarns toward the needles of the tufting machine.