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 hollow pipe joint structure for a sewing machine includes a first hollow pipe, a second hollow pipe and an elastic member. The elastic member is sleeved onto the first hollow pipe and the second hollow pipe, and elastically squeezes against the first outer surface and the second outer surface of the first and second hollow pipes, respectively, to pull the first and second hollow pipes against each other, which makes assembly of the hollow pipes easier, quicker and no frequent maintenance is required.

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 hollow pipe joint structure for a sewing machine includes a first hollow pipe, a second hollow pipe and an elastic member. The elastic member is sleeved onto the first hollow pipe and the second hollow pipe, and elastically squeezes against the first outer surface and the second outer surface of the first and second hollow pipes, respectively, to pull the first and second hollow pipes against each other, which makes assembly of the hollow pipes easier, quicker and no frequent maintenance is required.

A system, apparatus and methods for forming tufted products can include a tufting machine for forming patterned tufted products, such as carpets, rugs, and artificial grass or turf product with logos of other designs including multiple colors of yarns integrated therein. The tufting machine can include a series of hollow needles arranged along a needle bar at a gauge spacing and can receive a series of different color and/or types of yarns from a yarn feed system. A yarn selection system can be controlled to selectively hold back or retract yarns from the needles. The needles will be reciprocated into and out of a backing to deliver a series of yarns into the backing and can be engaged by corresponding knives to form tufts of yarns.