Patent Publication Number: US-6216748-B1

Title: Pivoting magnet latches for improved weaving device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a weaving device and more specifically an improved latch for use with a Jacquard 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 generally 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 to horizontal, vertically opposed rollers. Each eyelet is threaded in this manner with an individual thread. 
     Selected eyelets are oriented 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. 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 eyelets in a continuously repeating sequence of shed changes to produce a homogeneous fabric pattern. However, special type of weaving device, called a Jacquard device, may be used, among other purposes, to weave intricate or varying patterns into the fabric, or to perform seaming operations wherein two edges of fabric are woven together. 
     Jacquard devices are also well known in the art and have been in existence for hundreds of years. In a Jacquard device, each eyelet is individually selectively movable with each shed change. In other words, the sequence of movements of the eyelets is not merely repetitive, but may vary with each shed change. 
     Generally speaking, a Jacquard weaving device consists of an array of springs mounted on the top end of the frame of the weaving device. An eyelet is attached to each of the springs and hangs from the lower end of the spring. The springs bias the eyelets toward an upper position. A pulley block is attached to the lower side of each eyelet and hangs below the eyelet. A cord is strung through the pulley block, engaging the sheave, or pulley wheel, and both ends of the cord hang below the pulley block. The cord has two hooks attached to it, one on each end, which hang below the pulley block. 
     Attached to the frame, are two parallel horizontal bars, called griff bars, which reciprocally move up and down below the pulley block. The griff bars ire mechanically linked together so that, as one griff bar moves up, the other correspondingly moves down, and vice versa. An actuator is coupled to one of the griff bars to reciprocally move the griff bars at continuously repeating intervals. 
     The hooks are both engaged to guides mounted on the frame which restrict the path of movement of the hooks such that the path of movement of one of the hooks coincides with that of one of the griff bars, and the path of movement of the other hook coincides that of the other griff bar. Each hook has a slot or similar means which is open at the top, such that as the respective griff bar moves downward, it engages the slot, capturing the respective hook and pulling it downward. If the hook is held in its lowest position, the upward facing slot on the hook allows the griff bar to disengage the hook and move upward while leaving the hook in its lower position. 
     The cord which is connected between the hooks is of such a length that the respective spring, located above the eyelet, keeps the cord taught at all times. When both hooks are engaged to each respective griff bar, the hooks and cord travel in a reciprocal see-saw motion along with the griff bars, with the cord being pulled back and forth through the pulley block and rolling over the sheave. During this see-saw motion, the pulley block and eyelet remain stationary in the upper position, being held up by the tension of the respective spring. 
     The lower end of each hook is engageable with a pair of latches which are mounted on the frame and are located near the bottom of the path of travel of the respective hook. Each latch selectively captures and retains the respective hook in the lower position. As previously mentioned, if one of the hooks is held in its lower position by the respective latch, the respective griff bar disengages the hook as it travels upward, leaving the hook retained by the latch in the lower position. As the first griff bar moves upward, leaving one of the hooks retained by the first latch, the second hook is simultaneously pulled downward toward the second latch by the second griff bar as the first griff bar travels upward. Because the first hook is latched in the lower position, and is not allowed to raise up as the second hook is being pulled downward, the pulley block is pulled downward by the cord attached between the hooks, which pulls the eyelet downward against the force of the respective spring. This results in the eyelet reaching a lower position as both hooks are in their respective lower positions. 
     For the eyelet to remain in the lower position, both the first and second hooks must be retained in their respective lower positions by their respective latches. In this manner, the griff bars continue to reciprocally move in a see-saw motion above both hooks, but do not cause movement of the hooks, cord, pulley block, or eyelet. 
     Conversely, for the eyelet to raise to its upper position once again, one of the latches must disengage its respective hook as the respective griff bar is in the lower position and engaged to the respective latch. In this manner, one of the hooks is released by the latch and allowed to raise up with the griff bar to its upper position under the tension of the spring. This results in the respective pulley block and eyelet moving upward to their respective upper positions. For the eyelet to remain in the upper position, the other latch must also release its respective hook, allowing the see-saw motion of the hooks and cord to resume as initially described. 
     Many Jacquard weaving devices utilize electric solenoids to cause the selective retention of the hooks by the latches. In this type of design, an electric solenoid is mounted on the frame near each respective latch. Mounted on each latch is a material, such as iron, which is attracted by the magnetic field produced by the solenoid when the solenoid is energized with electrical current. Generally, each latch is biased in a latched position. As a hook is moved into engagement with the respective latch, the hook pushes the latch into its unlatched position and toward the solenoid such that the magnetically attractable material is pressed against the solenoid. If the solenoid is energized, the material is held against the solenoid by the magnetic field, holding the latch in the unlatched position, which prevents the latch from retaining the hook in the lower position. 
     Conversely, 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 upward and disengage the latch. However, before the hook completely disengages the latch, the latch captures the hook, retaining it in the lower position. If the hook is retained by the latch, the subsequent downward stroke of the respective griff bar will again move the hook against the latch in a manner which will cause movement of the latch to the unlatched position. This enables the hook to be released from the latch if the latch is 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, it utilized to selectively control electrical current flow to the solenoids, as well as the motion of the 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 associated 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 upwards of three hundred 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 component in the center of this tightly packed mechanism necessitates a tedious and time-consuming disassembly task 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. Further, the solenoids sometimes fail to retain the respective latches due to misalignment of the latch a nd solenoid, causing a mis-weave. 
     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 frame, an eyelet movably mounted on the frame, and a solenoid mounted on the frame, which produces a magnetic field when energized with electrical current. A latch is rotatably mounted on the frame, and movement of the latch effects the movement of the eyelet. A contact member is rotatably mounted on the latch. The contact member is magnetically attracted to the solenoid when the solenoid is energized. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a weaving device having a frame, an eyelet movably mounted on the frame, and a hook mounted on the eyelet. The weaving device further includes a solenoid borne by the frame and which, when energized, produces a magnetic field. A latch is provided having a first axis of rotation. A contact member is rotatably mounted on the latch about a second axis of rotation, and is magnetically attracted to the solenoid when energized. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a weaving device comprising a frame, an eyelet movably mounted on the frame, a hook mounted on the eyelet and movable along a course of travel, and a solenoid mounted on the frame. The solenoid produces a magnetic field when energized with electrical current. A latch is rotatably mounted on the frame, and which is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A contact member is rotatably mounted on the latch. The contact member is fabricated from a material which is magnetically attracted to the solenoid when the solenoid is energized. Movement of the hook into contact with the latch causes the latch to move to the unlatched position. Such movement of the latch to the unlatched position forces the contact member against the solenoid. The contact member rotatably aligns with the solenoid upon contact to facilitate magnetic attachment of the contact member to the solenoid when the solenoid is energized. 
     A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a weaving device comprising a frame, an eyelet movably mounted on the frame, a hook mounted on the eyelet and reciprocally movable along a course of travel, and a solenoid mounted on the frame. The solenoid has a solenoid face, and produces a magnetic field when energized with electrical current. A latch is pivotally mounted on the frame and is movable with respect to the frame about a first axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. The latch is biased toward the latched position. The latch has a first resilient member made integral therewith and a contact member rotatably mounted on the latch. The contact member is fabricated from a material which is magnetically attracted to the solenoid when it is energized. The contact member is rotatable with respect to the latch about a second axis. The second axis is substantially parallel to the first axis. Movement of the hook into contact with the first resilient member, as the hook moves along the path of travel, urges the latch to the unlatched position and simultaneously causes the contact member to be forced against the solenoid face. Upon contact with the solenoid face, the contact member rotatably aligns with the solenoid face to facilitate the magnetic attachment thereto. 
     A yet further aspect of the present invention relates to a weaving device comprising a frame, an eyelet movably mounted on the frame, a hook mounted on the eyelet and reciprocally movable along a course of travel in a first direction and an opposite second direction, and a solenoid mounted on the frame and which has a solenoid face. The solenoid produces a magnetic field when energized with the electrical current. 
     A latch is pivotally mounted on the frame. The latch is rotatable with respect to the frame about a first axis, between a latched position and an unlatched position. The first axis is substantially parallel to the solenoid face. 
     The latch further includes a first resilient member and a contact member rotatably mounted on the latch. The contact member is fabricated of a material which is magnetically attracted to the solenoid when energized. The contact member is rotatable with respect to the latch about a second axis which is substantially parallel to the first axis. 
     The contact member has a contact surface formed thereon. The hook, upon movement in the first direction, engages the first resilient member. Such movement of the hook against the first resilient member moves the latch to the unlatched position and simultaneously moves the contact surface against the solenoid face causing the contact member to rotatably align with the solenoid. Continued movement of the hook in the first direction and against the first biasing member, when the latch is in the unlatched position, causes a further deflection of the first biasing member which ensures substantially parallel alignment of the contact surface with the solenoid face, and facilitates magnetic attachment of the contact member to the solenoid when the solenoid is energized. 
     A still further aspect of the invention relates to a weaving device comprising a frame, an eyelet movably mounted on the frame, and a hook having a first end and an opposite second end. The second end is mounted on the eyelet. The hook is reciprocally movable along a course of travel in a first direction and an opposite second direction. A solenoid is mounted on the frame to produce a magnetic field when energized with electrical current. 
     A latch is pivotally mounted on the frame, and which has a main body with a first end, and an opposite second end. The latch is pivotable with respect to the frame about a first axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. The first end of the latch is matingly engageable with the hook. The latch is biased toward the latched position. The first end of the latch has a first resilient member made integral therewith. 
     The first biasing member is located between the first end and the first axis. A contact member is rotatably mounted on the latch. The contact member is made of a material which is magnetically attracted to the solenoid when it is energized. The contact member is rotatable with respect to the latch about a second axis. The second axis is substantially parallel to, and offset from, the first axis. Movement of the first end of the hook against the first resilient member as the hook moves in the first direction causes movement of the latch to the unlatched position. 
     In the unlatched position, the contact member is moved against the solenoid face which causes the contact member to rotatably align with the solenoid face. Continued movement of the hook in the first direction and against the first resilient member causes the hook to deflect the first resilient member. Such deflection causes the contact member to be forced against the solenoid face to ensure substantially complete contact of the contact member with the solenoid face to facilitate magnetic attachment of the contact member to the solenoid face when energized. The presence of the magnetic field when the latch is in the unlatched position causes the latch to be retained in the unlatched position such that the hook is prevented from engaging the latch as the hook moves in the second direction. 
     A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a weaving device having a frame, an eyelet movably mounted on the frame, and a hook which is mounted on the eyelet and movable along a course of travel. The weaving device includes a solenoid borne by the frame and operates to create a magnetic field when selectively energized. A latch is pivotally borne by the frame and operates to selectively engage the hook. The latch has an elongated main body with opposite first and second ends. The elongated main body is oriented along a line of reference which extends between the first and second ends. The main body is rotatable about a first axis which is located intermediate the first and second ends and is laterally offset from the line of reference. 
     The main body is rotatable between a latched and unlatched position. The first end of the latch is shaped to matingly engage the hook when the main body is in the latched position. A first resilient member is borne by the main body and is located between the first end and the first axis. The first resilient member is oriented in a position which is oblique to, and laterally offset from the line of reference. The first resilient member urges the latch into the unlatched position when it is engaged by the hook. 
     A self-aligning contact member is rotatably borne on the second end of the main body. The contact member is fabricated from a material which is magnetically attracted to the solenoid when it is energized. The contact member rotates about a second axis which is oriented along the line of reference. The main body, when located in the unlatched position, causes the contact member to be moved into substantially immediate self-aligned contact with the solenoid and the energized solenoid retains the latch in the unlatched position. 
    
    
     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 generally illustrating a preferred weaving device incorporating preferred features of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single frame module of the present weaving device; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of a preferred latch and hook arrangement with the latch being forced by the hook to an unlatched position; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 only showing the latch in a latched position; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 only showing the latch secured by magnetism in the unlatched position; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective exploded detail view of a second end of the latch and an associated contact member; and 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmented side elevation detail view of a first and third resilient member. 
    
    
     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 . The apparatus  10  has a frame  11  which has an upper first end generally indicated by the numeral  12 , and a lower second end generally indicated by the numeral  13 . The frame  11  rests on the surface of the earth  14 . The apparatus  10  includes a plurality of biasing members  20  which are each individually mounted to the first end  12  of the frame  11 . Mounted on each biasing member  20  is an eyelet  21 . The resilient nature of the biasing members  20  allows the eyelets  21  to be movably mounted on the frame  11 . 
     First cords  22  are individually affixed, one to each eyelet  21  and are further operably engaged with pulley blocks  30 . Second cords  35  are connected to the frame  11  and are also operably engaged to the pulley blocks  30 . Hooks  40  (FIGS. 3-5) each have a first end  41  and a second end  42  and operably engage a second cord  35 . The second ends  42  of the hooks  40  are thus effectively mounted to the eyelets and move therewith. The hooks  40  are each reciprocally movable along a course of travel  43  in a first direction  44  and an opposite second direction  45 . 
     On the second end  13  of the frame  11  are a plurality of latches  50  (FIGS. 3-7) which are pivotably borne by module portions of the frame  11  and which are operable to selectively engage the hooks  40 . 
     Each latch  50  has an elongated main body  51  with opposite first and second ends  52  and  53  respectively. The elongated main body  51  is oriented along a line of reference  54  which extends between the first and second ends  52  and  53 . Also, the main body  51  of the latch  50  is rotatable about a first axis  55  which is located intermediate of the first and second ends  52  and  53 , and which is laterally offset from the line of reference  54 . A substantially cylindrically shaped shaft  60  is substantially coaxially aligned relative to the first axis of rotation  55  of the latch  50 . The latch  50  defines a substantially circular aperture  61  which rotatably receives the shaft  60 , and thus, the latch  50  is rotatably mounted on the shaft  60 . 
     The main body  51  of each latch  50  is rotatable about the shaft  60  between a latched position  62  (FIG. 4) and an unlatched position  63  (FIG.  3 ). The first end  52  of the latch  50  is shaped to matingly engage the hook  40  when the main body  51  is in the latched position  62  (FIG.  4 ). 
     The latches  50  are substantially planar plates each having a substantially constant thickness, and wherein the first axis  55  is preferably substantially normal to the plate. 
     The weaving device apparatus  10  further includes first resilient members  70  which are made integral with the individual latches  50 . The first resilient members  70  are borne by the main body  51  and located between the first end  52  and the first axis  55 . Each of the first resilient members  70  extends generally obliquely in the direction of the second end  53  of the latch  50  and is oriented in a position which is oblique to, and laterally offset from, the line of reference  54 , and is oblique to the first and second directions of travel  44 ,  45 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, the exemplified first resilient member  70  is an elongated deflectable member which deflects along an arcuately shaped path of travel  71 . The path of travel  71  is between a first point of travel  72  and a second point of travel  73 . The first resilient member  70  is operable to deflect along the given path of travel  71  in response to engagement with the hook  40 . 
     The first resilient members  70  each include a raised button  74  at an end  75  thereof. Each button  74  is intended for engagement with a corresponding hook end  41  moving toward the second frame end  13  and for localizing the force transmitted by the hook at the end of the associated resilient member  70 , thereby allowing the member  70  to bend resiliently along its length. The resilient member  70  thus translates linear motion of the engaged hook  40  to yieldable pivotal motion of the latch  50  about the first axis  55 . 
     The weaving device apparatus  10  further comprises second resilient members  80  which are mounted on the frame  11  and which are disposed in forced transmitting relation between the frame  11  and the latches  50 . In each latch, the second resilient member  80  coacts with the latch  50  at a location between the first axis of rotation  55  and the second latch end  53  to bias the latch  50  toward the latched position  62 . 
     Each latch  50  further includes a third resilient member  82  located between the first axis of rotation  55  and the first end  52  and which further coacts with the first resilient member  70  to limit motion of the first resilient member  70 . Also, the third biasing member  82  comprises a releasable member mounted on the latch  50 . 
     Each of the latches further includes a resilient leg segment  64  that is intended to deflect slightly when the latch is in the latched position  62 . The legs lend even more resiliency along the length of the latches. 
     The weaving device apparatus  10  also includes a self-aligning contact member  90  rotatably borne on the second end  53  of each latch main body  51  and which rotates about a second axis of rotation  91  (FIG. 6) which is oriented along the line of reference  54  and is located adjacent to the second end  53  of the latch  50 . The second axis of rotation  91  is preferably substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation  55  and normal to the latch plate. The second axis of rotation  91  is also laterally offset from the first axis of rotation  55  with respect to the line of reference  54 . The rotation of the contact member  90  about the second axis of rotation  91  is restrained to a predetermined range of rotation (represented by the numeral  93 ) by the latch  50 . The contact member  90  also has a contact surface  94  formed thereon. 
     Each contact member  90  is cupped (FIG.  6 ), having a recess  95  that is shaped to pivotably receive a complementary semi-circular end configuration  96  of the associated latch  50 . The side  97  of the contact member opposite the cupped side is flat and planar so that two of the contact members may be placed back-to-back in close proximity with one another. This allows a pair of latches  50  to be used for each solenoid  100 , with each latch of the pair being independently movable between the latched and unlatched positions. Further, a castellated guide member  98  is mounted to the frame with spaced slots that slidably receive and guide the paired contact members through their pivotal movement. 
     The weaving device apparatus also comprises a plurality of solenoids  100  operable to produce individual magnetic fields when selectively energized with electrical current. Each solenoid  100  is mounted on a support member  101  and is releasably borne by the frame  11  to facilitate removal and replacement thereof. Furthermore, the solenoid  100  has a solenoid face  102  which lies in a plane that is preferably substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation  55 . The solenoid  100  is mounted on the frame  11  so as to operably coact with the contact member  90  once the latch  50  is moved from the latched position  62  to the unlatched position  63 . 
     The weaving device apparatus  10  further comprises a griff bar  110  which is movably mounted on the frame  11  and which selectively engages hooks  40  and provides movement thereto. Further included in the apparatus  10  is a actuator  115  which is coupled in transmitting relation relative to the griff bar  110 , and which provides selective movement to the griff bar  110 . A controller  116  is electrically coupled to the solenoid  100  and to the actuator  115 . The controller  116  selectively provides electrical current to both the solenoid  100  and the actuator  115 . 
     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 earlier discussed, the weaving device apparatus  10  of the subject invention comprises a frame  11  resting on the surface of the earth  12 . Mounted on the frame  11 , is an eyelet  21  which is movable with respect to the frame  11 . The movement of the eyelet  21  originates with a motive force which is generated by an actuator  115  and which is coupled in transmitting relation to a griff bar  110 . The griff bar  110  is also movably mounted on the frame  11  and selectively engages a hook  40  to provide movement thereto. 
     The hook  40  has a first end  41  and an opposite second end  42 . The second end  42  of the hook  40  is connected to the eyelet  21  through a second cord  35 , a pulley block  30  and a first cord  22 . The hook  40  is selectively moved by the griff bar  110  along a reciprocal course of travel  43  in a first direction  44  and an opposite second direction  45 . 
     The movement of the hook  40  is influenced in the second direction  45  by a latch  50  which is movably mounted near the second end  13  of the frame  11 . The latch  50  rotates about a first axis  55  along, an arcuate path of travel  56  between a latched position  62  and an unlatched position  63 . The latch  50  has a main body  51  as well as a first end  52  and an opposite second end  53 . The first end  52  of the main body  51  matingly engages the hook  40  as the hook moves to its second position. The second resilient member  80  is borne by the frame  11  and coacts with the main body  51  to urge the latch  50  in the direction of the latched position  62 . The latch  50  is normally biased toward the latched position  62  by the second resilient member. 
     As the hook  40  is moved by the griff bar  110  in the first direction  44  along the course of travel  43 , the hook comes into contact with the first end  52  of the latch  50  against the button  74  and the first and third resilient members  70 ,  82  to urge the latch  50  to move against yieldable resistance from the second resilient member into the unlatched position  63 . Thus, the hook  40  is operable to effect movement of the latch  50  between the latched position  62  and the unlatched position  63 , wherein movement of the hook  40  into contact with the latch  50  causes the latch  50  to move to the unlatched position  63 . The latch  50  includes the contact member  90  which is rotatably mounted on the second end  53  of the latch  50  about the second axis of rotation  91 . The pivoting second end of the latch moves toward the solenoid  100 , bringing the contact member  90  into flush engagement with the solenoid surface  102 . The contact surfaces  94  will freely pivot into flush engagement with the solenoid surface  102 . 
     The weaving apparatus  10  further includes the solenoid  100  which is releasably mounted on the frame  11  near the second end  13  thereof, so as to coact with the latch  50  as the latch  50  rotates between the latched position  62  and the unlatched position  63 . The solenoid  100  produces a magnetic field when it is energized with electrical current. Contact member  90  is fabricated from a material which is magnetically attracted to the solenoid  100  when the solenoid  100  is energized with electrical current. 
     Movement of the hook  40  into contact with the latch  50  moves the contact member  90  against the solenoid  100  to facilitate magnetic attachment of the contact member  90  to the solenoid  100  when the solenoid  100  is energized. Thus, when the latch  50  is in the unlatched position  63  the contact member  90  is disposed in contact with the solenoid  100 , and remains in this position when the solenoid  100  is energized. Stated another way, when the latch  50  is in the unlatched position  63 , the solenoid  100  may be magnetically actuated to coact with the contact member  90  and retain the latch  50  against the bias of the second resilient member  80  in the unlatched position  63 . 
     The rotatable nature of the contact member  90  about the second axis  91  causes the contact member  90  to be moved into substantially immediate self-aligned contact with the solenoid  100  when the main body  51  of the latch  50  is located in the unlatched position  63  and wherein the solenoid  100  retains the latch  50  in the unlatched position  63  when energized. 
     The main body  51  of the latch  50  further includes a first resilient member  70  which is operable to deflect along a given path of travel  71  between a first point of travel  72  and a second point of travel  73 , and which coacts with the hook  40 . As the hook  40  comes into contact with the latch  50 , the first resilient member  70  transmits force from the hook  40  to the latch  50  to simultaneously move the latch  50  toward the unlatched position  63 , and to move the contact member  90  into contact with the solenoid  100 . 
     Thus, the hook  40  moves in force transmitting relation against the first resilient member  70  and deflects the first resilient member  70  to cause the latch  50  to move in the first direction to the unlatched position  63 , and further ensures contact and proper alignment of the contact member  90  against the solenoid face  102  of the solenoid  100 . The resilient leg section  64  may also deflect at this point. 
     Stated yet another way, the movement of the hook  40  into force engaging contact with first resilient member  70 , as the hook  40  moves along the course of travel  43 , urges the latch  50  to the unlatched position  63  and simultaneously causes the contact member  40  to be forced against the solenoid face  102 , and wherein, upon contact with the solenoid face  102 , the contact member  90  rotatably aligns with the solenoid face  102  to facilitate the magnetic attachment thereto. 
     The latch  50  further includes a third resilient member  82  which is mounted on the main body  51  of the latch  50  and which coacts with the first resilient member  70  to resist deflection of the first resilient member  70  beyond the second point of travel  73 . Thus movement of the hook  40  into contact with the first end  52  of the latch  50  causes the first resilient member  70 , the second resilient member  80  and the third resilient member  82  to be compressed. The solenoid  100 , when de-energized, does not retain the contact member  90 . The movement of the hook  40  away from the latch  50  allows the second resilient member  80  to urge the latch  50  from the unlatched position  63  back to the latched position  62 . 
     However, the first end  52  of the latch  50  is shaped to engagingly mate with the hook  40  and retain the hook  40  when the latch  50  is moved to the unlatched position  62 . When the latch  50  matingly engages the hook  40  and retains same, the upwardly moving griff bar  110  disengages from the hook  40  leaving the hook  40  engaged with the latch  50 . Thus, the hook  40  coacts with the latch  50  to effect movement of the eyelet  21 . 
     Therefore, movement of the first end  41  of the hook  40  against the first resilient member  70  as the hook  40  moves in the first direction  44  causes movement of the latch  50  to the unlatched position  63 . As the latch  50  is moved into the unlatched position  63  the contact member  90  is moved against the solenoid face  102  which causes the contact member  90  to rotatably align with the solenoid face  102 . Continued movement of the hook  40  in the first direction  44  and against the first resilient member  70  causes the hook  40  to deflect the first resilient member  70 , which causes the contact member  90  to be forced against the solenoid face  102  to ensure substantially complete contact of the contact member  90  with the solenoid face  102 . 
     This substantially complete contact of the contact member  90  with the solenoid face  102  facilitates magnetic attachment of the contact member  90  to the solenoid face  102  when the solenoid  100  is energized. When the solenoid  100  is energized and produces a magnetic field, the presence of the magnetic field, when the latch  50  is in the unlatched position  63 , causes the latch  50  to be retained in the unlatched position  63  such that the hook  40  is prevented from engaging the latch  50  and being retained by the latch  50  as the hook  40  moves away from the latch in the second direction  45 . 
     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.