Patent ID: 7634326
Filing Date: 2009-12-15
Classification: D05C

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling a tufting machine to form tufts of yarn in a backing material passing through the tufting machine, to form tufted articles having a combination of varied pattern effects, the method comprising: creating a yarn feed effect tufting pattern having a first design; creating a shifting needle bar effect tufting pattern of a second, different design; determining and applying shift compensation for pattern steps of the shifting needle bar effect tufting pattern to create a revised shifting needle bar effect tufting pattern; merging the yarn feed effect tufting pattern into the revised, shifting needle bar effect tufting pattern and creating a combination tufting pattern; loading the combination tufting pattern into a control for the tufting machine; moving the backing material through the tufting machine and reciprocating a needle bar carrying a series of needles therealong into the backing material to form the tufts of yarn therein according to steps of the combination tufting pattern; when the combination tufting pattern calls for shifting of the needle bar, splitting the combination pattern into separate pattern steps of the underlying first and second patterns for yarn feed control and shifting, respectively; and adjusting the yarn feed to compensate for shifting in the combination tufting pattern and keep the combination tufting pattern running substantially straight.