Patent ID: 7191804

Claim:
Thread clamp for a weaving machine, comprising a clamp having at least two clamping parts between which a thread may be clamped; an actuator arranged to move the clamping parts between at least two positions, including a closed position, wherein the clamping parts are pushed towards each other, and an open position, wherein the clamping parts are disposed at a distance from each other; wherein said actuator comprises at least a small pneumatically actuatable piston which upon actuation moves the clamp into at least one of said two positions, said piston comprising a small plunger having two extremities, one extremity constituting one of said two clamping parts of said clamp, and the other extremity comprising a piston surface disposed in a chamber, and arranged to be actuated by negative pressure supplied to the chamber, and a conduit in communication with said chamber arranged to supply negative pressure to said chamber and piston surface; wherein said actuator is configured such that its movement is effected exclusively by pneumatic force.