LOOP MODULE FOR TUFTING MACHINE

Abstract: Loop pile hook module (7) for use in a tufting machine, the module has a body member (8) including a plurality of tufting machine hooks (9) therein in side-by-side relationship, the hooks being formed from cylindrical, or other profile, pins which protrude from the body member to form a beak of the hooks.

Description: LOOP MODULE FOR TUFTING MACHINE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to tufting machines and more particularly to loop pile hook modules. BACKGOUND TO THE INVENTION In a tufting machine a multiplicity of yarn carrying needles penetrate a foundation or backing sheet and loops of yarn are formed therein by loopers which seize the yarn which the loops are shed thereby producing a loop pile article. As the gauge of tufted products have decreased, i.e. the spacing between adjacent rows of stitches and thus between respective needles and loopers or hooks, modules have been developed wherein the shanks of the respective loopers or hooks are embedded in a common body in side-by-side disposition. Such module looper constructions are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,303,024 and 4,739,717. These modular constructions substantially eliminate the difficulty of aligning hooks or loopers in a respective hook or looper bar of a tufting machine since the hooks or loopers are aligned in a jig during the formation of the module. A recent trend toward lower pile height carpets has necessitated the development of low profile hooks to enable these products to be manufactured. With conventional hook designs the profile can only be reduced to a limited extent and alternative designs need to be considered to enable ultra low pile height to be achieved. One difficulty with modular construction is that of replaceabihty of a broken gauge part, i e a hook or looper If a gauge part breaks, or becomes damaged, the entire module must be removed and replaced The module being generally discarded Although possible, in practice partially damaged modules are generally not remanufactured Thus, it is necessary for these relatively expensive components, i e modules, to be discarded prior to the complete exhaustion of their useful economic life Although damage to loopers is not a common occurrence it can not be entirely eliminated so one alternative is to develop lower cost modular parts to reduce the lost economic value associated with discarding of a module Conventional hooks or loopers are made in relatively complex shapes from alloyed steel flat sheet having a body portion comprising a blade and a shank The shank includes the mounting portion and extends forwardly relative to the blade, i e toward backing feed supply rollers The hooks are disposed in a jig and the body member is cast about the hooks from a material which is commonly used in the art such as low melting point Zinc/lead/aluminum The usual arrangement is for the hooks to extend out of the top of the body member with a beak located at the end of the blade and separated from the body member by 20 millimeters or more Wish this arrangement, fibers loosened from the yarn are able to lodge between the shanks of adjacent hooks and, if not cleared regularly, accumulate over time to eventually become densely packed and cause problems with the tufting action Another disadvantage of the conventional hook design is that the relatively long hook blade is flexible and can be deflected by the needle resulting in poor yarn pick up which in turn can result in an irregular pile surface Consequently it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a loop pile hook module for a tufting machine which can be manufactured at relatively low cost and which overcomes the disadvantage identified above It is another object of the present invention to provide a loop pile hook module for a tufting machine which can be used to make low pile height fabrics It is further object of the present invention to provide a loop pile hook module for a tufting machine which can be used to make fine gauge products. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a broadest aspect of the invention there is provided a loop pile hook module for use in a tufting machine, the moduie has a body member including a plurality of tufting machine hooks therein in side-by-side relationship, the hooks being formed from cylindrical, or other profile, pins which protrude from the body member to form a beak of the hooks. The body member my be molded, fabricated or otherwise constructed with the hooks cast, mounted or otherwise fixed in side-by-side relationship therein. Further aspects of the invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a conventional looper module; Figure 2 shows a front view of the looper module shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a perspective view from one above of the looper module shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a perspective view from below of the looper module shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 shows a side view of one version of new looper module according to the invention, Figure 6 shows an end view of the looper module shown in Figure 5, Figure 7 shows a perspective view from above of the looper module shown in Figures 5 and 6, Figure 8 shows a perspective view from below of the looper module shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, Figure 9 shows a side view of a variant of new looper module according to the invention, Figure 10 shows an end of the looper module shown in Figure 9, Figure 11 shows a perspective from above of the looper module shown in Figures 9 and 10, and Figure 12 shows a perspective view from below of the looper modules shown in Figures 9 to 11 In Figures 1 to 4 is shown a conventional looper module generally indicated by arrow 1 In this looper module 1 each of the loopers 2 is constructed from a flat sheet comprising a blade 3, a shank 4 and beak 5 The loopers 2 are cast in a body member 6 which is constructed from an alloy metal material The body member 6 includes a shaped mount for fixing the looper module to a looper bar of a tufting machine DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Figures 5 to 8 is shown an example of looper module according to the present invention The looper module 7 consists of a body member 8 with a plurality of tufting machine hooks 9. The tufting machine hooks 9 are formed from a cylindrical or other profile pins. The pins protrude from the body member 8 and form a beak of the hook 9. As shown in the drawings each of the pins may be beveled. The body member 8 may include a mounting hole or holes 10 (Figures 7 and 8) used to fix the looper module in place on a looper bar of a tufting machine. In Figures 9 to 12 is shown an alternative construction of looper module 11 according to the invention. In this version a body member 12 is provided and pins 13 extend forwardly and downwardly from said body member to create the looper hooks. Again the pins are constructed from stainless steel or the like and are formed to the shape shown prior to them being cast in the body member 12. In use the looper module is used in a similar fashion to existing looper modules. An advantage of the present invention is that the modular loop pile hooks for the tufting machine do not deflect through contact with the tufting needle and reduce the chances of irregular pile surface due to poor loop pick up arising through this agency. Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a loop pile hook module for a tufting machine which is disposed to prevent the accumulation of loose fibers between the shanks of adjacent hooks and thereby promote trouble-free tufting. Where in the description known integers have been used, it is envisaged that their equivalents may be substituted even though they are not individually set forth therein. Particular examples of the invention have been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims: Claims 1 Loop pile hook module for a tufting machine having a body member (8,12) carrying tufting machine hooks, and having means to fix the module to a looper bar of a tufting machine, characterized in that the tufting machine hooks (9) are formed from pin shaped members, fixed to the body member (8,12), and protruding therefrom 2 Loop pile hook module according to claim 1 characterized in that the tufting machine hooks (9) are formed from cylindrical pins 3 Loop pile hook module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pins are rectilinear 4 Loop pile hook module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pins extend forwardly and downwardly 5 Loop pile hook module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pins are cast in the body member (8,12) 6 Loop pile hook module according to on of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pins are beveled 7 Loop pile hook module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pins are made of stainless steel 8 Loop pile hook module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body member (8,12) is made of a metal having a low melting point such as zinc, lead or aluminum

Inventors: CLARKE JONATHAN WILLIAM, MEADE WARREN JOHN, PHILLIPS ANGELA MARGARET, CLARKE, JONATHAN, WILLIAM, MEADE, WARREN, JOHN, PHILLIPS, ANGELA, MARGARET
Applicants: CLARKE JONATHAN WILLIAM, GROZ BECKERT KG, MEADE WARREN JOHN, PHILLIPS ANGELA MARGARET, CLARKE, JONATHAN, WILLIAM, GROZ-BECKERT KG, MEADE, WARREN, JOHN, PHILLIPS, ANGELA, MARGARET
Application year: 1999
Main classification: D05C15
IPC codes: D05C15