A shiftable backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns wherein needle plate fingers reciprocate in synchronization with the cycles of the needle bar to support the backing during penetration of the backing fabric yet allow backing shifts between stitches.

A shiftable backing feed or shiftable needle assembly is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing or cutting yarns wherein yarn placement patterns can be utilized to tuft at different gauge densities while maintaining the same pattern sizes and appearance.

A shiftable backing feed or shiftable needle assembly is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing or cutting yarns wherein yarn placement patterns can be utilized to tuft at different gauge densities while maintaining the same pattern sizes and appearance.

A shiftable backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns at a plurality of fixed heights, wherein fabric support apparatus reciprocates in synchronization with the cycles of the needle bar to support the backing during penetration of the backing fabric yet allow backing shifts between stitches.

A shiftable backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns wherein needle plate fingers reciprocate in synchronization with the cycles of the needle bar to support the backing during penetration of the backing fabric yet allow backing shifts between stitches.

A system, apparatus and methods for forming tufted articles can include a hollow needle tufting machine for forming patterned tufted articles including multiple colors of yarns. The hollow needle tufting machine can include a series of hollow needles arranged along a needle bar at a gauge spacing and will receive a series of different color and/or types of yarns from a yarn feed system. A funnel block having a series of funnels configured to receive a series of yarns will be provided adjacent the needle bar for directing selected yarns to a corresponding or associated hollow needle. The hollow needles will be reciprocated into and out of a backing to deliver a series of yarns; and can be engaged by corresponding knives to form tufts of yarns. The knives can be moved between no-cut and cutting positions to form loop and cut pile tufts of yarns in the backing.

A system, apparatus and methods for forming tufted articles can include a hollow needle tufting machine for forming patterned tufted articles including multiple colors of yarns. The hollow needle tufting machine can include a series of hollow needles arranged along a needle bar at a gauge spacing and will receive a series of different color and/or types of yarns from a yarn feed system. A funnel block having a series of funnels configured to receive a series of yarns will be provided adjacent the needle bar for directing selected yarns to a corresponding or associated hollow needle. The hollow needles will be reciprocated into and out of a backing to deliver a series of yarns; and can be engaged by corresponding knives to form tufts of yarns. The knives can be moved between no-cut and cutting positions to form loop and cut pile tufts of yarns in the backing.

A system and method for tufting sculptured and multiple pile height patterned articles, including controlling placement of yarns fed to the needles of the tufting machine by a yarn feed mechanism to form varying patterns includes a backing support over which the backing is fed, and which lifts/and biases the backing to a raised position. As the backing material is fed through the tufting machine, a series of loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles. The yarn feed mechanism will be controlled to create a tension in selected loops of yarns, to cause the backing material to be pulled against the bias or spring force applied by the backing support toward the needle plate of the tufting machine to create tufts of different pile heights.

A system and method for tufting sculptured and multiple pile height patterned articles, including controlling placement of yarns fed to the needles of the tufting machine by a yarn feed mechanism to form varying patterns includes a backing support over which the backing is fed, and which lifts/and biases the backing to a raised position. As the backing material is fed through the tufting machine, a series of loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles. The yarn feed mechanism will be controlled to create a tension in selected loops of yarns, to cause the backing material to be pulled against the bias or spring force applied by the backing support toward the needle plate of the tufting machine to create tufts of different pile heights.

A system and method for tufting sculptured and multiple pile height patterned articles, including controlling placement of yarns fed to the needles of the tufting machine by a yarn feed mechanism to form varying patterns includes a backing support over which the backing is fed, and which lifts/and biases the backing to a raised position. As the backing material is fed through the tufting machine, a series of loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles. The yarn feed mechanism will be controlled to create a tension in selected loops of yarns, to cause the backing material to be pulled against the bias or spring force applied by the backing support toward the needle plate of the tufting machine to create tufts of different pile heights.