Patent Publication Number: US-6336477-B1

Title: Frame modules for improved weaving device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a frame module for an improved weaving device. 
     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. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a weaving device comprises a weaving device frame; a plurality of eyelets movably mounted on the weaving device frame; and a frame module releasably borne by the weaving device frame and readily detachable from the respective eyelets, the frame module controlling the movement of the individual eyelets and forming a readily removable component of the weaving device. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a frame module for use with a weaving device having a plurality of eyelets. The frame module controls the movement of the respective eyelets. The frame module comprising a frame releasably engageable with the weaving device and further includes a guide plate; a plurality of hooks movable borne by the frame and mounted on the weaving device; a plurality of latches mounted on the guide plate and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position; a plurality of solenoids releasably mounted on the frame, and wherein the respective solenoids facilitate the movement of the respective latches between the latched and unlatched positions. 
     A griff bar is movable borne on the frame and selectively engageable with respect to the hooks. 
     A drive member borne by the frame is provided for moving the griff bar selectively along the frame. The frame module forms a readily removable component of the weaving device. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a frame module for use with a weaving device having a plurality of eyelets. The frame module controls movement of the respective eyelets. The frame module includes a weaving device frame and a plurality of biasing members mounted on the weaving device frame. Each of the eyelets is mounted on an individual biasing member. A plurality of first cords individually affixed on one of the eyelets, and which are further connected to the weaving device frame. A plurality of first pulley blocks are individually engageable with the respective first cords, and which are individually movable therewith. 
     A frame module is releasably mounted on the weaving device frame and further includes a guide plate mounted thereon. The frame module forms a readily removable component of the weaving device. 
     A plurality of second pulley blocks are releasably connected to each of the first pulley blocks. A plurality of hooks are selectively movable relative to the frame module between first and second positions. A plurality of second cords are mounted on the frame module and coact with the respective hooks. A plurality of latches are mounted on the guide plate and move between a latched position and an unlatched position. 
     A plurality of removable solenoids are mounted on the frame module, which facilitate movement of the respective latches between the latched and unlatched positions. A griff bar is movably borne on the frame module and is slidable along a reciprocal path of movement and wherein the griff bar to selectively engage the hooks. 
     A pair of sprockets are mounted on the frame module. A drive member disposed in force transmitting relation between the respective sprockets and the griff bar. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a frame module for use with a weaving device having a plurality of eyelets. The frame module controls movement of the respective eyelets. The frame module also comprises a weaving device frame having a first end and an opposite second end. 
     A plurality of biasing members are mounted on the weaving device frame, and wherein each of the eyelets is mounted on an individual biasing member. A plurality of first cords are affixed one to each one of the eyelets, and which are further connected to the weaving device frame. A plurality of first pulley blocks are individually engageable with each of the respective first cords, and which are individually movable therewith. A frame module, releasably mounted on the weaving device frame, has opposite first and second ends, and a pair of spaced sidewalls, and wherein a channel is formed in the sidewalls adjacent to the second end thereof. 
     A griff track is provided on the spaced sidewalls. A guide plate is mounted between the respective sidewalls. A plurality of second pulley blocks are releasably connected to each of the first pulley blocks. A plurality of hooks are selectively movable relative to the frame module. Each of the hooks has a wheel rotatably mounted thereto, and wherein each of the hooks is selectively movable between first and second positions, and wherein, in the first position, the respective hooks are located near the first end of the frame module, and wherein, in the second position, the hooks are located near the second end of the frame module. 
     A plurality of second cords each have opposite first and second ends. The opposite ends of each of the second cords are mounted on the frame module. The pulley on each hook coacts with an associated one of the second cords. 
     A plurality of latches are movably mounted on the guide plate and is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. Each latch is biased toward the latched position. Each of the hooks engages one of the latches when the hook is located in the second position. A plurality of solenoids are releasably mounted on a supporting substrate that is slidably engageable with the channel, which is formed in the sidewalls of the frame module. The respective solenoids have an energized and a de-energized state to facilitate movement of the respective latches between latched and unlatched positions. In the de-energized state, the respective hooks, upon engaging the individual latches, cause the respective latches to engage the individual hooks. In the energized state, the respective solenoids maintain the individual latches in the unlatched position. 
     A griff bar is movably borne on the frame module and is slidable along the griff track. The griff bar has a reciprocal path of movement, and is selectively engageable with selected ones of the hooks. When engaged with the hooks, the griff bar reciprocally moves the hooks, which are not held in the second position by the respective latches, from the second position of the hook, to the first position thereof. 
     First and second pairs of wheels, are rotatably mounted on one of the opposite sidewalls of the frame module. Each of the first and second pairs of wheels has an axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the first and second pairs of wheels are substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls of the frame module. A drive member is disposed in force transmitting relation between the respective first and second pairs of wheels and the griff bar. 
     A further aspect of the present invention relates to a frame module for use with a weaving device having a plurality of eyelets, and wherein the frame module controls movement of the respective eyelets. The frame module comprises a weaving device frame have a first end and an opposite second end. A plurality of biasing members have a first and second ends. The first end of each biasing member is mounted on the first end of the weaving device frame. Each of the eyelets is individually mounted on the second end of a respective individual biasing member and is movable with respect to the weaving device frame. The eyelets are biased by the respective biasing members in the direction of the first end of the weaving device frame. 
     A plurality of first cords have opposite first and second ends, with the first end of each of the cords being affixed to a respective one of the eyelets, and the opposite second end of each of the cords is connected to the weaving device frame. A plurality of first pulley blocks are individually engageable with each of the respective first cords, and are movable with respect to the weaving device frame. 
     A frame module is detachably mounted on the weaving device frame, and has opposite first and second ends and a pair of spaced sidewalls. A channel is formed in the sidewalls adjacent to the second end thereof. A griff track is provided on the spaced sidewalls. The frame module is readily detachable from the respective eyelets. A plurality of second pulley blocks are releasably connected one to each one of the first pulley blocks. A plurality of hooks are selectively movable relative to the frame module, and each of the hooks has a pulley wheel rotatably mounted thereto. Each of the hooks is selectively movable between a first and second position. In the first position the respective hooks are located near the first end of the frame module, and in the second position, the hooks are located near the second end of the frame module. 
     A plurality of second cords each having opposite first and second ends are mounted on the frame module. The pulley wheel of each hook is engaged by a respective one of the second cords. A plurality of latches are movably mounted on the guide plate, each latch being movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. 
     Each latch is biased toward the latched position. Each of the hooks engages an associated one of the latches when the hook is located in the second position, and the latch is located in the latched position. A plurality of solenoids mounted on a supporting substrate that is slidably engageable within the channel which is formed in the sidewalls of the frame module. The respective solenoids have an energized and a de-energized state to facilitate movement of the respective latches between the latched and unlatched positions. In the de-energized state, the respective hooks, upon engaging the individual latches, cause the respective latches to engage the individual hooks. In the energized state, the respective solenoids maintain the individual hooks in the unlatched position. 
     A griff bar is selectively movably borne on the frame module and is slidable along the griff track. The griff bar has a reciprocal path of movement to selectively engage the hooks. When engaged with the hooks, the griff bar reciprocally moves those hooks which are not held in the second position by the respective latches, from the second position to the first position. 
     First and second pairs of wheels, are rotatably mounted on the opposite sidewalls of the frame module. A drive member is disposed in force transmitting relation between the respective first and second pairs of wheels and the griff bar. 
     A still further aspect of the invention relates to a frame module for use with a weaving device having a plurality of eyelets, and wherein the frame module controls movement of the respective eyelets. The frame module comprises a module frame releasably engageable with the weaving device and is mountable to the weaving device. A plurality of hooks are movably borne by the module frame and configured for releasable attachment to the eyelets. A plurality of latches are mounted on the module frame, each being moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A plurality of solenoids are releasably mounted on the module frame to facilitate movement of the respective latches between the latched and unlatched positions. A griff bar is movably borne on the module frame and engages selected hooks. The frame module forms a readily removable component of the weaving device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view or a weaving device incorporating preferred aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmented perspective view of a preferred frame module; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmented rear elevation view illustrating interconnection of several frame modules in a weaving frame and an associated griff bar actuator; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmented perspective view of griff bars and connecting drive members of a preferred frame module; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of preferred latch and hook mechanisms; 
     FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic sectioned view illustrating preferred interconnections between elements of a preferred frame module and eyelets of the weaving device; and 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating cord and hook connections within a frame module. 
    
    
     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 generally indicated by the numeral  10  in the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus  10  may be provided in combination with a weaving device which includes a frame  11  with a first end  12  and an opposite second end  13 . The weaving device frame  11  rests on the surface of the earth  14 . 
     As can be seen in FIG.  1  and more clearly in FIG. 6 a plurality of biasing members  15  each having a first end  16  and a second end  17  are individually mounted on the first end  12  of the weaving device frame  11 . As also seen in FIG. 1 an eyelet  20  is individually mounted on the second end  17  of each of the biasing members  15 , and is movable with respect to the weaving device frame  11 . Each of the eyelets  20  is biased by the respective biasing members  15  in the direction of the first end  12  of the weaving device frame  11 . 
     As also shown in diagrammatic form by FIG. 6, the apparatus  10  includes a plurality of first cords  21  each having a first end  22  and an opposite second end  23 . The first end  22  of each first cord  21  is affixed to one of the eyelets  20 , and the opposite second end  23  is connected to the weaving device frame  11 . As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a plurality of first pulley blocks  24  are individually engaged with each of the respective first cords  21 , and are movable with respect to the weaving device frame  11 . 
     Now referring to FIG.  1  and more particularly to FIG. 2, at least one and preferably a plurality of substantially identical frame modules  25  are detachably mounted on the weaving device frame  11 . Referring to FIG. 2, each frame module has generally rectangular module frame  19  with a first end  26  and an opposite second end  27 , and a pair of spaced sidewalls generally indicated by the numeral  28 . As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a channel  29  is formed in each of the sidewalls  28  adjacent to the second end  27  of the frame module  25  for releasably receiving a solenoid substrate  71 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 2, a pair of griff tracks indicated by the numeral  30  are provided on each of the frame modules  25 , preferably along the spaced sidewalls  28 . In preferred forms, a guide plate  31  is mounted between the respective sidewalls  28 . As also shown, the frame module  25  has a first side  32  and a second side  33 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, each module includes a second pulley block  40  for releasable connection to each of the first pulley blocks  24 . A plurality of second cords  42 , each having a first end  43  and an opposite second end  44  are mounted to each of the frame modules  25 . A plurality of hooks  50  are mounted within and are connected to the second cords  42  and are selectively movable relative to the respective frame modules  25 . 
     Each of the hooks  50  preferably has a rotatable pulley wheel  51 . As further shown in FIGS. 2,  5 , and  6 , and most clearly by the schematic view in FIG. 7, the pulley wheels  51  on pairs of hooks  50  are engaged by one of the second cords  42  between the first end  43  and second end  44 . Each of the hooks  50  is selectively movable between a first position indicated by the numeral  52  and a second position indicated by numeral  53 . As can be seen in FIG. 6, the first position  52  of the respective hooks  50  is located near the first end  26  of the frame module  25 . Similarly, the second position  53  of the hooks  50  is located near the second end  27  of the frame module  25 . 
     FIG. 7 is in schematic form to facilitate clear understanding of the connection between the second cords  42 , pulley wheels  51  (on hooks  50 ), and second pulley blocks  40 . As shown, the first end  43  is attached to the module, preferably at the first end  26 . The cord extends within the module downward to engage one of the pulleys  51 , then upwardly over the pulley within the second pulley block  40 , thence downwardly to engage the other pulley  51  of another hook and then upwardly to connect at second end  44  to the first end of the module. 
     A distinct mechanical relationship is provided with respect to movement of the hooks and responsive movement of the associated eyelet  20 . One unit of linear movement of either hook  50  will result in two units of linear movement of the associated eyelet  20 . Thus a small movement of a hook is twice amplified in resulting movement of the associated eyelet. 
     The above is a distinct advantage over prior shed changing mechanisms where the ratio of hook to eyelet movement was one-to-one. Now, the hooks need move only half as far (as the prior hooks) to achieve the same eyelet motion. The result is a much faster and less bulky shed changing apparatus. 
     Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, a preferred form of the apparatus  10  includes a plurality of latches  60  which are movably mounted on a pivot shaft  63  that extends between the side walls  28 . Now referring to FIG. 5, each latch  60  is movable between a latched position indicated by the numeral  61  and an unlatched position indicated by the numeral  62 . Each latch  60  is biased toward the latched position  61 , preferably by a resilient member  64 . Each of the hooks  50  will engage a respective one of the latches  60  and be retained by the latch when the hook  50  is located in the second position  53 , and the latch  60  is located in the latched position  61 . 
     As briefly noted above, the apparatus  10  also includes a plurality of solenoids  70  which are mounted on supporting substrates  71 . As shown in FIG. 5, each supporting substrate  71  is slidably engageable with the channel  29  which is formed through the sidewalls  28  of the associated frame module  25 . The solenoids  70  each have an energized and a de-energized state, and facilitate the movement of the respective latches  60  between the latched positions  61  and the unlatched positions  62 . 
     When a given solenoid  70  is in the de-energized state, the given solenoid does not maintain the respective latch  60  in the unlatched position and the respective hook  50  upon engaging the latch  60 , causes the latch  60  to engage and retain the respective hook  50  in the second position  53 . Conversely, a given solenoid  70  in the energized state maintains the respective latch  60  in the unlatched position  62  wherein the respective hook  50  is not retained in the second position  53 . 
     Referring to FIG.  2  and the simplified diagram of FIG. 4, the apparatus  10  further comprises a pair of griff bars  72  which are each selectively movably borne on each frame module  25 . Each griff bar  72  is slidable along the associated griff tracks  30  in a reciprocal path of movement  73 . As shown in FIG. 2, each griff bar  72  is selectively engageable with a predetermined number of the hooks  50 , and when engaged with the hooks  50  the griff bar  72  reciprocally moves those hooks  50  which are not held in the second position  53  by the respective latches  60 , from the second position  53  of the hook  50 , to the first position  52  of the hook  50 . 
     FIG. 2 further indicates first and second pairs of wheels that are provided preferably in the form of upper and lower sprockets  74 ,  75  respectively, which are rotatably mounted on the module frame, with the upper sprockets  74  adjacent the first module end  26  and the lower sprockets  75  are adjacent the second module end  27 . 
     Each of the first and second pairs of sprockets  74 ,  75  has an axis of rotation  76  which is substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls  28  of the frame module  25 . Referring to FIG.  1  and particularly to FIG. 4, a drive member  78  in the form of a belt or chain is disposed in forced transmitting relation between the respective first and second pairs of sprockets  74 ,  75 , and the pair of griff bars  72 . As can be noted by a study of FIG. 4, the configuration of the drive member  78  and the first and second pairs of sprockets  74  and  75  in relation to the griff bars  72  is such that the direction of movement of one griff bar  72  is opposite to the direction of movement of the griff bar  72  of a pair. 
     The lower sprockets  75  rotate about axis  76  which is fixed relative to the module frame  19 . The lower sprockets thus function as idlers. However, the upper sprockets  74  function as drive sprockets, responsive to downward thrust against alternate sides of the chains. The upper sprockets are mounted by adjustors  79  (FIG. 2) to the module frame  19 , so the axis for sprockets  74  is adjustable toward and away from the bottom sprockets. Such adjustment serves to selectively tension the drive members  78 , and the relative positions of the griff bars on opposite sides of the module frame. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1,  3 , and  4 , a preferred apparatus  10  further includes an actuator  80  which is releasably disposed in force transmitting relation to one of the pair of griff bars  72 , and which transmits motive force to the griff bar  72 . 
     In preferred forms, the actuator  80  is comprised of a bar  81  that is operated by a bellcrank linkage  82  connected at ends of the bar  81  to move the bar in a selected rocking motion. An appropriate motor  83  and belt or chain drive  84  may be provided to rotate the bell cranks and thereby produce elevational reciprocating movement of the bar  81 . 
     The actuator  80  is slotted longitudinally to receive rollers  83  that are mounted to one griff bar  72  of each griff bar pair. Motion of the bar  81  is thus transmitted to the rollers  83  which, in response, cause the griff bars  72  to move in the reciprocating translational path  73 . 
     FIG. 2 indicates a controller  90  releasably electrically coupled to each of the solenoids  70 , and which selectively energizes each of the individual solenoids  70 . A controller  90  may be provided for each of the frame modules supplied in a weaving device. 
     Further study will indicate that solenoids  70 , the latches  60  and hooks  50  are located on the first side  32  of the frame module  25 . Also indicated by a further study, the position of each of the griff bars  72  with respect to the drive member  78  may be adjusted by changing the griff bar positions along respective sides of the drive member  78 . A yet further study will indicate that the releasable connection between the first pulley blocks  24  and the second pulley blocks  40  allows the frame module  25  to be readily and individually detachable from the respective eyelets  20  and the remainder of the weaving device. 
     OPERATION 
     The operation of the described embodiments of the present are believed to be readily apparent and briefly summarized at this point. 
     As earlier discussed, the apparatus  10  of the subject invention comprises a weaving device frame  11  which rests on the surface of the earth  12 . A plurality of eyelets  20  are movably mounted on the weaving device frame  11  through a plurality of biasing members  15  which resiliently connect the eyelets  20  to the weaving device frame  11 . At least one and in many instances several frame module  25  are releasably borne by the weaving device frame  11  to control movement of the individual eyelets  20  by selectively transmitting a motive force to each of the eyelets  20 . Each frame module  25  is readily detachable from the respective eyelets  20  and the weaving device frame  11  and forms a readily removable component of the weaving device apparatus  10 . 
     Each frame module  25  includes a module frame  19  which is releasably engageable with the weaving device apparatus  10 , and which includes a pair of sidewalls  28 , a guide plate  31 , a plurality of hooks  50  which are movably borne by the frame. A plurality of latches  60  on the module frame  19  are each movable between a latched position  61  and an unlatched position  62 . A plurality of solenoids  70  are releasably mounted on the frame  19  by way of a supporting substrate  71 . The solenoids  70  facilitate movement of the respective latches  60  between the latched position  61  and the unlatched position  62 . The frame module  25  further comprises a pair of griff bars  72  which are movably borne on the frame  19  and which are selectively engageable with respect to the hooks  50 . Each frame module  25  further includes a drive member  78  borne by the frame  19  for moving the griff bars  72  selectively along the frame  19 . 
     Further included in the frame module  25  is a plurality of second cords  42  which are mounted on the frame module and coact with respective pairs of hooks  50 . Also included in the frame module is a plurality of second pulley blocks  40  which are engaged individually to each second cord  42  between the respective hooks  50  which coact therewith. 
     Included in the weaving device  10  is a plurality of first cords  21  each having a first end  22  which is connected to the weaving device apparatus  10 , and a second end  23  which is individually affixed on one of the eyelets  20 . The weaving device apparatus  10  further comprises a plurality of first pulley blocks  24  which are individually engaged with the respective first cords  21  and which are individually movable therewith. The second pulley blocks  40  of the frame modules  25  are releasably connected to respective first pulley blocks  24  of the weaving device, and thereby operably connect the frame module to eyelets  20 . 
     The actuator  80  produces a motive force and is operably coupled in releasable forced transmitting relation to the griff bars  72 . The motive force produced by the actuator  80  and transmitted to the griff bars  72 , causes the griff bars  72  to reciprocate along a given path of movement  73 . The griff bars  72  reciprocating along the path of movement  73  engage selected ones of the hooks  50  which are selectively movable relative to the frame module  25  between a first position  52  and a second position  53 . Movement of the hooks causes corresponding amplified movement of the associated eyelets  20  to complete a shed change. 
     A given hook  50  moving to the second position  53  will engage a respective latch  60 . The hook  50  moves the latch  60  against yieldable resistance offered by the associated resilient member  64  and shifts the latch  60  from the latched position  61  to the unlatched position  62 . In the unlatched position  62 , the latch  60  engages a respective solenoid  70 . 
     A controller  90  is electrically coupled to each of the solenoids  70 , and selectively supplies each solenoid  70  with electrical current. When energized with electrical current, a given solenoid  70  produces a magnetic field, which influences a given latch  60 , so as to retain the given latch  60  in the unlatched position  62 . In the absence of the magnetic field produced by the solenoid  70 , the latch  60  will return to the latched position by operation of the resilient member  64 , as the respective hook  50  begins to move toward the first position  52 . 
     As the hook  50  begins to move from the second position  53  toward the first position  52 , the latch  60  simultaneously moves from the unlatched position  62  to the latched position  61 , whereupon the latch retains the hook in the second position  53 . When the hook  50  is retained by the latch  60  in the second position  53 , the respective griff bar  72  continues to move upward, disengaging the respective hook  50  and continuing its movement upward along the path of movement  73 . 
     As one of the pair of griff bars  72  moves upwardly, leaving selected hooks  50  retained by the latches  60  that are presently in the second position  53 , the other griff bar  72  of the pair will simultaneously move downward along the respective path of movement  73  and pull other hooks  50  downward toward respective latches  60 . As this occurs, the second cords  42  pull the second pulley blocks  40  downward which in turn, pull the respective first pulley blocks  24  downward which pull the respective eyelets  20  downward as well, but twice the distance moved by the hooks  50 . A selected shed change is thus accomplished. 
     If a malfunction occurs in any one of the frame modules  25 , or components thereof, the associate second pulley blocks  40  are disconnected from the first pulley blocks  24  and the actuator  80  and controllers  90  are uncoupled from the griff bars  72  and solenoids  70 , respectively. The entire frame module  25  may now be pulled from the weaving device frame  11 , leaving the remaining modules operable and connected to the weaving device. An functional frame module  25  may now be installed into the weaving device frame  11 , whereupon the second pulley blocks  40  are connected to the associated first pulley blocks  24  and the actuator  80  and controllers  90  are coupled to the griff bars  72  and solenoids  70  respectively, rendering the weaving device  10  fully operational once more. This process is easily and quickly accomplished without affecting operation of the remaining functional frame modules or the weaving device. 
     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.