Patent ID: 8671858
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: D05C,D05D

Abstract:
1. A tufting machine of the type having a slideable needle bar supporting a plurality of needles transversely of said machine, yarn being fed to said plurality of needles, and the needle bar being reciprocally driven to cause the needles to penetrate a backing material, and a servo motor driven crank mechanism connected to the needle bar for causing the needle bar to shift in a transverse direction, wherein the servo driven crank mechanism comprises: a drive rod with a first end for communicating transverse movement to the needle bar and a second end; a collar encircling an eccentric and having an eccentric rod pivotally connected to the second end of the drive rod; a first servo motor having a drive shaft to communicate rotational movement to the eccentric; and a controller communicating with the servo motor to direct operation of the crank mechanism in accordance with pattern information.