Patent Publication Number: US-6216749-B1

Title: Weaving device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a weaving device and more specifically to a modular solenoid for use with same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Weaving devices, commonly called looms, are known in the art and have been in existence in one or another form for thousands of years. Weaving devices are generally used for producing woven fabric. Generally speaking, weaving devices consist of a frame, a substantially horizontal array of eyelets movably supported by the frame between an upper position and a lower position, and a mechanism for moving the eyelets between the two positions. 
     To set up a typical weaving device for operation, a thread, or any type of weavable strand, is drawn off a spool and passed through an eyelet of the weaving device, then passed through a guide which is on the opposite side of the eyelet from the spool. The guide may be in the form of a long horizontal slot, or a gap between two horizontal, vertically opposed rollers for example. Each eyelet is threaded in this manner with an individual thread. 
     Selected eyelets are oriented in the upper position and slightly above the guide, while the remaining eyelets are oriented in the lower position and slightly below the guide. This difference in the relative positions of the eyelets with respect to each other and to the guide, causes the threads to form an upper and lower row of parallel threads. The upper row passes from the upper eyelets to the guide, and the lower row passes from the lower eyelets to the guide. The two rows intersect, or meet, at the guide to form an acute interior corner or angle. This formation of two rows of threads is generally called a shed. Thus, a shed can basically be described as two flat planes, each formed by a row of parallel threads, which meet to form a trough, or corner. 
     To begin the weaving process a cross-thread, called a weft thread, is placed into the corner of the shed where the threads meet at the guide, and perpendicular to the warp threads. After placement of the weft thread, the position of each eyelet is reversed, that is, the upper eyelets move to the lower position, and the lower eyelets move to the upper position. This change in position of the eyelets not only forms another shed, but also causes the warp threads to partially wrap around the weft thread. A second weft thread is then inserted into the corner of the new shed, and the position of each eyelet is again reversed. This process is continually repeated to form a fabric created from interlacing, or weaving, the warp and weft threads. 
     Basic woven fabric is produced on weaving devices which move the respective eyelets in a continuously repeating sequence of shed changes to produce a substantially homogeneous fabric pattern. However, a special type of weaving device, called a Jacquard device, may be used, for among other purposes, to weave intricate or varying patterns into the fabric, or to perform seaming operations in which the opposite edges of a piece of fabric are woven together to form an endless ribbon or belt of fabric. Jacquard devices are well known in the art and have been in existence for hundreds of years in various forms. In a Jacquard device, each eyelet is individually selectively movable with respect to each of the shed changes. In other words, the sequence of movements of the eyelets is not merely uniformly repetitive, but may be selectively variable with each shed change. In this manner, varying and stylistically appealing patterns may be woven into the fabric by the weaving device. 
     Generally speaking, a Jacquard weaving device consists of an array of springs mounted on the top of the frame of the weaving device. An eyelet is attached to each of the springs and depends from the lower end of the spring. The respective springs bias the eyelets toward an upper position. A pulley block is attached to the lower side of each eyelet and depends below the eyelet. A cord is fed or otherwise received through the pulley block and engages the sheave, or pulley wheel of same. The opposite ends of the cord depend from the pulley block. The cord has two hooks attached to it, one on each end. 
     Attached to the frame, are griff bars which reciprocally move up and down below the pulley block. The griff bars are mechanically linked together so that, as one griff bar moves up, the other correspondingly moves down, and vice versa. An actuator such as an electrical motor is coupled to one of the griff bars to reciprocally move the griff bars at continuously selective and repeating intervals. 
     The hooks slidably engage guides which are mounted on the frame. The respective guides restrict and direct the path of movement of the hooks such that the path of movement of one of the hooks substantially coincides with one of the griff bars, and the path of movement of the other hook substantially coincides with the other griff bar. Each hook has a slot formed therein which is engaged by the respective griff bar as it moves downwardly. If the hook is held in its lowermost position, the slot formed on the hook allows the griff bar to disengage from the hook and move upwardly while leaving the hook in its lower position. 
     The cord which extends between the respective hooks is of such a length that the individual springs, located above each of the eyelets, keeps the cord taut at all times. When both hooks are engaged by the respective griff bars, the hooks and cord travel in a seemingly see-saw like motion along with the griff bars. During this motion the cord is pulled back and forth through the pulley block and rollingly engages the sheave. Also during this pattern of motion, the pulley block and eyelet remain substantially stationary (in the upper position) being held in the same position by the tension of the spring. 
     In these weaving devices the lower end of each hook is engageable by means of a latch which is mounted on the frame and which is located near the bottom of the path of travel of each of the hooks. Each latch selectively captures and retains the respective hook in the lower position. If one of the hooks is held in its lower position by the respective latch, the associated griff bar disengages from the hook as it travels upwardly, leaving the hook retained by the latch in the lower position. As the griff bar moves upwardly, leaving the associated hook retained by the latch, the other hook (attached to the opposite end of the cord) is simultaneously pulled downwardly toward another latch by the other griff bar. Because the first hook is latched in the lower position, and is not allowed to travel upwardly while the other hook is being pulled downwardly, the pulley block is simultaneously pulled downwardly by the cord attached between the hooks. This action, of course, pulls the eyelet downwardly against the upwardly biasing force of the spring attached to same. This results in the eyelet reaching a lowermost position as both hooks reach their respective lowermost positions. 
     For the eyelet to remain in the lower position, both the first and second hooks must be retained in their respective lowermost positions by their respective latches. In this manner, the individual griff bars continue to reciprocally move in a see-saw like motion above both hooks, but do not cause movement of the hooks, cord, pulley block, or eyelet. Conversely, for the eyelet to move to its upper position once again, one of the latches must disengage from one of the hooks as the associated griff bar is located in the lowermost position. In this manner, one of the hooks is released by the latch and allowed to travel upwardly with the griff bar to its upper position under the influence of the spring. This action results in the respective pulley block and eyelet moving upwardly to the original upper position. For the eyelet to remain in the upper position, the other latch must also release its respective hook, allowing the see-saw like motion of the hooks and cord to resume as initially described. 
     Many Jacquard weaving devices utilize electric solenoids to effect the selective retention of the hooks by the latches. In this type of design, an electric solenoid is mounted on the frame near each of the respective latches. Mounted on each latch is a material which can be magnetically influenced, or attracted, such as iron, when the solenoid is energized with electrical current. Generally, each latch is biased into a first, or latched, position. During operation, as a hook is moved into engagement with the respective latch, the hook pushes the latch into a second, or unlatched position, and in the direction of the solenoid such that the magnetically attractable material is pressed against or moved closely adjacent to the solenoid. In the situation where the solenoid is energized, the material is strongly attracted to the solenoid by the magnetic field. This in turn holds the latch in the unlatched position which prevents the latch from capturing and retaining the hook in the lowermost position as the hook moves upwardly and away from the respective latch. 
     On the other hand, if the solenoid is not energized, the bias of the latch causes the latch to move back to the latched position as the hook begins to move upwardly. In this scenario, before the hook completely disengages from the latch, the latch captures the hook, thereby retaining it in the lowermost position. If the hook is retained by the latch, the griff bar will disengage from the hook and continue moving upwardly while leaving the hook in its lowermost position. However, the subsequent downward movement of the griff bar will again move the hook against the respective latch in a manner which will cause movement of the latch to the unlatched position. This enables the hook to be subsequently released from the latch if the latch had been held in the unlatched position by the solenoid. In this manner, the weaving device selectively moves the eyelet by energizing and de-energizing the solenoids at given intervals which controls the movement of the hooks. Often a controller, such as a programmable logic computer, is utilized to control electrical current flow to the solenoids and related motor which propels the individual griff bars. 
     Commonly, a Jacquard weaving device consists of at least one row of eyelets which are configured as discussed above, with respective springs, pulley blocks, cords, hooks, latches and solenoids for each eyelet. Usually, the entire row of eyelets is served by a single pair of elongated griff bars. In this manner, each individual eyelet in the row may be moved from either the upper position to the lower position, or vice versa, or may remain in either the upper or lower position with each reciprocal stroke of the griff bars. Often, large Jacquard weaving devices consist of several such rows of similarly configured eyelets, each with its own set of griff bars. Thus, by moving the griff bars at repeating intervals, and selectively controlling the energization of the solenoids, the controller can cause any combination of eyelets to either move up or down, or remain in the upper or lower positions, with each shed change. 
     While Jacquard weaving machines of conventional design have been operated with varying degrees of success, there have been recognized shortcomings which have detracted from their usefulness. For example, a relatively large Jacquard weaving machine may consist of a dozen or more rows of eyelets, each row having up to thirty or more eyelets. Such a machine, having hundreds of individually movable eyelets, will have a complex, tightly packed mechanism comprised of interactive, precision components, including griff bars and related drive trains, hooks, latches, solenoids, cords, guides, and pulley blocks. Thus, a malfunction or failure of a single component in this complex, tightly packed mechanism necessitates a tedious and time-consuming disassembly of the machine in order to simply gain access to the failed or malfunctioning part for removal and replacement. This tedious disassembly process of the machine results in costly down-time of the weaving device, during which the operation of the device is temporarily halted. 
     Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to provide a Jacquard weaving machine which achieves the benefits to be derived from similar prior art devices, but which avoids the detriments individually associated therefrom. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention the invention includes a solenoid unit for use with a weaving device having a frame; a plurality of eyelets mounted on the frame and individually moveable with respect to the frame; a support member releasably coupled to the frame; and a plurality of solenoids mounted on the support member, and wherein each solenoid controls the movement of at least one eyelet. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a modular solenoid unit for use with a weaving device, the solenoid unit forming a removable component thereof, and which includes a frame; a plurality of eyelets movably mounted on the frame between a first position and a second position, and wherein during operation, the weaving device has a sequence of shed changes, and wherein during each shed change, a given eyelet either remains in the first position or is moved from the first position to the second position; a controller electrically coupled to the weaving device for controlling the nature of the shed change and the relative positions of the respective eyelets; a support member releasably coupled to the frame; and a plurality of solenoids mounted on the support member, and wherein the controller is electrically coupled to each of the solenoids, and wherein the given eyelets move between the first and second positions during a given shed change as a result of the controller energizing selected solenoids. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a modular solenoid for use with a weaving device, the solenoid unit forming a removable component thereof, and which includes a frame; a plurality of eyelets mounted on the frame, and wherein each eyelet is individually moveable with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position, and wherein during operation, the weaving device proceeds through a predetermined sequence of shed changes, and wherein during each shed change, a given eyelet either remains in the first position or it is moved from the first position to the second position; a controller electrically coupled with the weaving device for controlling the nature of the shed change; a plurality of hooks mounted on the frame and individually coupled in forced transmitting relation relative to a given eyelet, and wherein the respective hooks are movable along a given path of travel; a griff bar movably mounted on the frame, and engageable with the respective hooks; a support member releasably coupled to the frame; and a plurality of solenoids mounted on the support member, and electrically coupled with the controller, and wherein the solenoids, when energized and de-energized, control the nature of the shed change. 
     Yet still another aspect of the present invention relates to a modular solenoid unit for use with a weaving device, the solenoid unit forming an easily detachable component thereof, and which includes a frame; a plurality of eyelets mounted on the frame, and wherein each eyelet is individually movable with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position, and wherein during operation, the weaving device proceeds through a sequence of shed changes, and wherein during a given shed change a given eyelet either remains in the first position or is moved from the first position to the second position; a controller coupled to the frame and controlling the nature of the shed change; a plurality of hooks, which are individually mounted on each eyelet; a plurality of latches mounted on the frame, and movable along a given path of travel relative thereto to selectively coact with individual hooks; a griff bar movably mounted on the frame, and selectively coacting with the individual hooks; a support member releasably coupled to the frame; and a plurality of solenoids mounted in a given pattern on the support member, and wherein the controller is electrically coupled to each of the solenoids, and wherein the energizing and the de-energizing of the respective solenoids cause the latches to be located at predetermined locations along the path of travel to coact with the hooks and griff bar. 
     Yet still a further aspect of the present invention relates to a modular solenoid unit for use with a weaving device, the solenoid unit forming an easily detachable component thereof and which includes a frame defining an elongated channel, and wherein the frame has two sidewalls and a base member which are coupled together, and wherein the base member defines an opening having two elongated edges, and wherein the edges are substantially parallel to each other, and wherein the opening has a substantially constant width; a plurality of eyelets mounted on the frame, and wherein each eyelet is individually movable with respect to the frame between a first position and a second position, and wherein during operation, the weaving device proceeds through a sequence of shed changes, and wherein during a given shed change, a given eyelet either remains in the first position or is moved from the first position to the second position; a controller electrically coupled to the frame and controlling the nature of the shed changes; a plurality of hooks which are individually mounted on each eyelet; a plurality of latches mounted on the frame, and wherein each latch is movable relative to the frame between a first position and a second position to coact with the respective hooks under the influence of electromagnetic energy; a griff bar movably borne by the frame, and coacting with the individual hooks; an elongated support member slidably interlocking with the channel which is defined by the frame, and wherein the channel releasably retains the support member in an operable orientation relative to the latches; and a plurality of solenoids mounted in a given pattern on the support member, and wherein the controller is electrically coupled to each of the solenoids, and wherein an electro-magnetic field of energy is produced by a given solenoid as a result of the controller energizing the given solenoid by allowing electrical current to flow through the given solenoid, and wherein energizing the given solenoids causes the given solenoid to remain in the second position, and wherein de-energizing the solenoid causes the given solenoid to move from the second position to the first position, and wherein the position of the given latch effects the manner in which the given solenoid coacts with a given hook, and the nature of the resulting shed change. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a partial, vertical, sectional view of the subject invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial, exploded, perspective view showing the frame of the subject invention and an associated solenoid unit. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view showing the frame of the subject invention with the solenoid unit installed. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a base member and latch showing the channel for mounting the solenoid unit, and which is taken from a position along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a second fragmentary side elevation view of the base member and latch showing the positions of the latch with the solenoid unit installed. 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the solenoid unit of the subject apparatus. 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the base member, latch and hook similar to FIG. 4 only showing the latch held in the latched position and the hook disengaged from the latch; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the base member, latch and hook similar to FIG. 4 only showing the hook engaging the latch; 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the base member, latch and hook similar to FIG. 4 only showing the hook moving the latch to the latched position, and which is taken from a position along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the base member, latch and hook similar to FIG. 4 only showing the hook approaching the latch; and 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the base member, latch and hook as the latch captures and retains the hook and the griff bar disengages from the hook. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
     The apparatus of the subject invention is best understood by a study of FIG.  1  and is generally indicated by the numeral  10 . As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus  10  includes a frame  11  which rests on the surface of the earth  12 . The frame  11  has an upper portion or end  13  and a lower portion or end  14 . Referring to FIG. 2, module portions of the frame  11  each include two sidewalls  15  and a base member  16  which are coupled together. The frame  11  also defines an elongated substantially rectangular shaped channel  17  which is defined by the base member  16  as shown in FIGS. 2,  4 . The channel  17  is defined by two elongated edges  18  which are substantially parallel to each other. As can also be seen in FIGS. 2,  4 , the channel  17  has a substantially constant width. As is evident from a study of FIGS. 2 and 4, the channel  17  is substantially in the form of a dove-tail groove. 
     As further shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus  10  also includes a plurality of resilient members  20  mounted on the upper end  13  of the frame  11 , and a plurality of eyelets  25  which are individually movably mounted on the frame  11  by way of the respective resilient members  20 . Each eyelet  25  is individually movable with respect to the frame  11  between an upper first position indicated by the numeral  26  and dashed lead, and a lower second position indicated by the numeral  27  and dashed lead line. The resilient members  20  bias the eyelets  25  toward the respective upper positions  26 . The eyelets  25  form a triangular or wedge shaped shed  28  as may be understood from FIG.  1 . 
     The eyelets  25  are each intended to slidably receive a warp thread (not shown). Together, the warp threads extending through the eyelets  25  form the shed  28  which may be altered by changing positions of selected eyelets between the upper first and lower second positions  26 ,  27 . The warp threads pass through a harness section of the weaving device frame  11  to the eyelets. A preferred frame  11  as shown in FIG. 1 includes a single pedestal harness  29  adjacent the eyelets, forming the harness area in a laterally open “C” shaped configuration. This configuration facilitates threading of the eyelets  25  without requiring that the warp threads first be threaded through a closed harness, as in prior weaving machines. 
     A further study of FIG. 1 will illustrate that the apparatus  10  also includes first cords  30  each of which has a first end  31  mounted on the frame  11 , and a second end  32  affixed on the eyelet  25 . The apparatus  10  also includes second cords  35 , each having a first end  36 , and a second end  37  (FIG.  3 ). Pulley blocks  40  are operably disposed intermediate the first and second cords as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Both ends  36 ,  37  of the second cords  35  extend downwardly from the associated pulley block  40 . 
     As further shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of hooks  43  are mounted on the frame  11 , and are selectively coupled in force transmitting relation relative to a given eyelet by way of the first and second cords  30  and  35  and pulley blocks  40 . As may be seen in FIG. 2, a pair of hooks  43  are mounted to one of the second cords  35 , such that a pair of hooks  43  are individually connected to each eyelet  25 . Furthermore, each of the respective hooks  43  is reciprocally movable along a given path of travel indicated by the line labeled  44  as seen in FIG.  3 . As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, griff bars  47 , are movably mounted on the frame  11  to engage with the respective hooks  43 . Each griff bar  47  is one of a pair of griff bars  47  which are movably borne by the frame  11 , and which coact with respective pairs of hooks  43 . The griff bars also move generally along the path of travel  44  of the hooks  43  as indicated in FIG.  3 . 
     Further study of FIGS. 3 and 4 will show that the apparatus  10  includes a plurality of latches  50  which are mounted on the frame  11 , and which are movable along a given path of travel  51  to selectively coact with the hooks  43 . Each latch  50  includes a surface which is attractable by electromagnetic energy. As shown in FIG. 4, each latch  50  is movable along the path of travel  51  relative to the frame  11  between a first, or latched, position  52  and a second, or unlatched, position  53 . The latches  50  are movable between the first  52  and second  53  positions to coact with the hooks  43  under the influence of the hooks and by electromagnetic energy. Each latch  50  is biased in the first, or latched, position by a biasing member  54  which may be comprised of a coiled compression spring. 
     As best seen in FIGS.  2  and particularly in FIG. 6, the apparatus  10  further includes a plurality of solenoids  55  mounted on support members  56 . Each support member  56  has a first side indicated by the numeral  57  and an opposite second side indicated by the numeral  58 . The support member has a complimentary dove-tailed shape which allows it to be matingly received in the channel  17 . As best seen in FIG. 6, the solenoids  55  are mounted on the first side  57  of the support member  56 . The second side  58  of the support member  56  is disposed in juxtaposed relation (FIG. 3) relative to the base member  16  of the frame  11  when slidably received in the channel. This is seen most clearly in FIGS.  5  and  7 - 11 . The individual solenoids  55  together with the associated support member  56  form an easily removable solenoid unit one of which is generally indicated by the numeral  59  (FIG.  6 ). 
     Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the apparatus further includes circuit boards  60  mounted between associated solenoids  55  and support members  56 . The circuit boards  60  are electrically connected to each set of solenoids  55  by way of electrical tracings (not shown). Further included in the apparatus  10  are releasable electrical couplings  61  which are disposed in current conducting relation relative to the associated solenoids  55  by way of the circuit boards  60 . The coupling  61  can be easily released from the circuit boards  60 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 6, the solenoids  55  on each circuit board are arranged in a given pattern of at least two parallel, laterally offset rows. The first row of solenoids  55  is indicated generally by the numeral  63 , while the second row of solenoids is generally indicated by the numeral  64 . As further shown in FIG. 6, the solenoids  55  in each row  63  and  64 , are substantially equally spaced, one from another, and a given row  63  is offset from an adjacent row  64  such that a given solenoid  55  in one row  63  is located substantially midway between two adjacent solenoids  55  of the adjacent row  64 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2,  4 ,  5 , and  6 , each solenoid unit  59  is releasably coupled to the frame  11  by way of a support member  56  which slidably and matingly engages the frame  11 . As earlier discussed, the channels  17  matingly receive the support members  56  therein. As shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the illustrated support member  56  slidably engages the frame  11  as the solenoid unit  59  is appropriately oriented relative to the frame  11 . The support member  56  is slidably movable along a predetermined path of travel indicated by the line labeled  66  between a first operational position  67  (FIG.  3 ), and a disengaged position  68  (FIG.  2 ). 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, and as discussed above, the complementary shapes of the associated support members  56  and channels  17  allow the support members  56  to slidably interlock with the channels  17  which are formed in the base members  16 , such that the channels  17  releasably retain the support members  56  in operable orientations with the latches  50 . As previously mentioned, each channel  17  may be described as a dove-tail groove due to its cross-sectional shape, although other cross-sectional shapes may be used with equal success. At least two support members  56  are detachably mounted on the frame  11  in the manner described. 
     Also as best seen in FIG. 3, each solenoid  55  coacts with two given latches  50  when the associated support member  56  is mounted in the channel  17 . As further shown by reference to FIG. 2 and 3, the latches  50  are mounted in pairs. A given pair of latches  50  is positioned in operable relation to a given solenoid  55  such that the given solenoid  55  coacts with both latches  50  to effect the movement of an associated eyelet  25 . In other words, as best seen by reference to FIG. 3, each of a given pair of latches  50  coact, respectively, with each of a given pair of hooks  43  which are mounted on a given second cord  35 . Referring now to FIG. 1, each second cord  35  is connected to a given eyelet  25  by way of the respective pulley block  40  and first cord  30 . 
     Referring once again to FIG. 3, each pair of latches  50  are mounted in operable relation relative to a given solenoid  55  so that one of the given pair of latches  50  contacts substantially half of the solenoid  55  while the other latch  50  contacts substantially the remaining half of the given solenoid  55 . Thus, each latch  50  of a given pair coacts with a respective half of a given solenoid  55 . In this manner, a given solenoid  55  coacts with both latches  50  of a pair to effect the movement of the associated eyelet  25 . 
     As further shown in FIG. 2, the solenoid unit  59  is electrically coupled to a controller  70 . The controller may be a programmable logic computer of various types. The controller  70  is electrically coupled to each of the solenoids  55 . The releasable electrical coupling  61  allows the solenoid unit  59  to be easily uncoupled or disconnected from the controller  70 . It is feasible that the coupling  61  be integrated with the controller  70  to eliminate the need for ribbon electrical wire connectors if desired. Each solenoid  55  produces a magnetic field when energized as seen in FIG. 7 with electrical current supplied by the controller  70 . 
     OPERATION 
     The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. As seen in FIG. 1, and during operation, the weaving device apparatus  10  proceeds through a predetermined sequence of shed changes by moving selected eyelets  25  between the upper  26  and lower  27  positions. During each shed change, a given eyelet  25  either remains in the first, or upper, position  26 , or is moved from the first position  26  to the second, or lower, position  27  or vice versa to form a new shed  28 . Each shed change is accomplished by coactive operation of the griff bars  47 , hooks,  43 , latches  50 , solenoids  55 , and controller  70 . 
     As earlier discussed, the griff bars  47  move relative to the frame  11  and substantially along the path of travel  44  of the hooks  43 . During this movement, the griff bars  47  engage the hooks  43  and move same along the path of travel  44 . Referring to now FIG. 10, the griff bars  47  move at least some of the hooks  43  downwardly toward the latch  50  along the path of travel  44 . As further shown by reference to FIG. 5, the latches  50  are biased along the path of travel  51  into the first, or latched, position  52  by the biasing member  54 . Referring now to FIG. 8, as the griff bars  47  move hooks  43  into contact with the associated latches  50 , and the griff bars  47  continue to move downwardly along the path of travel  51 , the latches are moved along the path of travel  51  in the direction of the unlatched position  53 . 
     As shown now in FIG. 9, continued movement of the hooks  43  against the latches  50  causes the engaged latches  50  to move from the first, or latched, positions  52  to the second, or unlatched, positions  53 . When in the second, or unlatched, positions  53 , the latches  50  come into contact, or close proximity, with the solenoids  55  as shown in FIG.  9 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, if the controllers  70  energize selected solenoids  55  with electrical current when the associated latches  50  are in the second, or unlatched, positions  53 , under those conditions the latches  50  will be retained by the solenoids  55  in the unlatched position  53  by the electromagnetic fields. When this occurs, the hooks  50  will disengage the respective latches  50  and move upwardly along the path of travel  44  with the griff bars  47 . 
     Alternatively, if the controllers  70  do not energize selected solenoids  55  while the solenoids  55  are in the unlatched positions  53 , then the latches  50  will return to the latched position  52  due to the biasing action of the biasing members  54  as the hooks  43  begin to move upwardly. This is best seen in FIG.  11 . In this situation, latches  50  will capture and retain the associated hooks  43  as the griff bars  47  disengage the hooks  43  and continue to move upwardly. 
     As now seen, energizing a given solenoid  55  causes a given latch  50  to remain in the second position  53 , and de-energizing the solenoid  55  causes the given latch  50  to move from the second position  53  to the first position  52  to therefore engage one of the hooks  43 . This illustrates the manner in which the energizing and de-energizing of the respective solenoids  55  causes the latches  50  to be located at predetermined locations along the path of travel  44  to coact with the respective hooks  43  and griff bars  47 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, it can be seen that if both hooks  43  (of a pair) which act on a given eyelet  25 , are retained by the respective latches  50 , the eyelet  25  will be retained in the lower position  27 . Thus, it can be seen that the position of the given latch  50  effects the manner in which the given latch  50  coacts with a given hook  43 , and the nature of the resulting shed change. As discussed earlier, the given eyelet  25  moves between the first, or upper, position  26  and the second, or lower, position  27  during a given shed change as a result of the associated controller  70  energizing a selected solenoid  55 . In this arrangement each solenoid  55  facilitates movement of at least one eyelet  25  from the first position  26  to the second position  27 . Therefore, the controllers  70 , by energizing and de-energizing selected solenoids  55 , control the nature of each shed change. 
     Should a solenoid  55  malfunction, causing a halt in the operation of the apparatus  10 , the controller  70  can be readily uncoupled from the solenoids  55 . The solenoid unit  59 , comprising solenoids  55  and associated support member  56  then may be slidably detached from the channel  17  formed in the frame  11  by moving the support member  54  from the first, or operational, position  67  to the second, or disengaged, position  68  along the path of travel  66 . 
     Upon detachment of the malfunctioning solenoid unit  59 , an identical, replacement solenoid unit  59  is slidably installed in the channel  17  along the path of travel  66  to the operational position  67  and coupled to the controller  70  using the coupling  61 . Thus, the solenoid unit  59  forms a removable and easily detachable component of the weaving device apparatus  10  which facilitates removal and replacement of malfunctioning solenoids  55 . 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.