Weaving machine with an apparatus as well as method for holding, feeding and inserting weft threads in a loom shed

Abstract

Apparatus and method for holding and feeding weft threads to the gripper of a weaving machine with drives, with which clamps for the weft threads are moved on motion paths into respectively a feed position, a transfer position and a ready position. The motion path of each clamp comprises a shape that is closed in itself. In that regard, the motion beginning of at least one of the clamps out of its ready position into its feed position takes place in a time segment that extends from the beginning of the beat-up motion of the weaving reed until the beat-up of the previously inserted weft thread against the beat-up line of the weaving machine.

Claims

1. Weaving machine with an apparatus (5) for holding and feeding weft threads (1, 2) to a gripper (6) of the weaving machine with a first and a second clamp (11, 12) for clamping the weft threads (1, 2), as well as with respectively one drive (25, 29) for each one of the two clamps, with which the two clamps (11, 12) are movable independently of one another along motion paths (35, 36) into respectively a feed position (16, 19), a transfer position (17, 20) and a ready position (18, 21), wherein these three positions are arranged on an insertion side of the weaving machine and wherein the respective feed positions (16, 19) of the clamps (11, 12) are arranged in an area between a running path of the gripper (6) and an extension of a beat-up line (10) of a weaving reed (9) of the weaving machine and wherein the respective transfer positions (17, 20) of the clamps (11, 12) are arranged in an area of the extension of the beat-up line (10) and wherein the respective ready positions (18, 21) of the clamps are arranged in an area above the respective feed position and the transfer position (16, 19; 17, 20), characterized in that the drives (25, 29) of the clamps are embodied and arranged on the weaving machine in such a manner so that the motion path (35, 36) of each clamp comprises a shape that is closed in itself, wherein each clamp (11, 12) is movable by means of the associated drive (25, 29) into the three positions arranged one after another along the respective motion path (35, 36), namely the feed position (16, 19), the transfer position (17, 20) and the ready position (18, 21), and that the respective clamp (11, 12) is movable from its ready position (18, 21) into its feed positions (16, 19) without thereby coming into its intermediately located transfer position (17, 20).

2. Weaving machine with an apparatus (5) according to claim 1, in which the drives (25, 29) of the clamps are configured in such a manner so that the motion paths (35, 36) of the clamps respectively extend in motion planes.

3. Weaving machine according to claim 1, in which the drive (25, 29) of each clamp is respectively arranged on an own housing or a carrier plate (24, 28).

4. Weaving machine according to claim 3, in which modules (33, 34) with a drive (25, 29), a housing (24, 28) and a clamp (11, 12) are arranged in such a manner on the weaving machine so that the motion planes of the clamps (35, 36) with respect to the warp direction of the weaving machine are bent by an angle that lies in a horizontal plane of the weaving machine.

5. Weaving machine according to claim 3, in which modules (33, 34) with a drive (25, 29), a housing (24, 28) and a clamp (11, 12) are arranged in such a manner on the weaving machine so that the motion planes of the clamps (35, 36) among one another are bent by an angle that lies in a vertical plane of the weaving machine extending in the weft direction.

6. Weaving machine according to claim 1, in which electronic adjusting means or programming means are present, with which the motion beginning of the clamps (11, 12) from its respective ready position (18, 21) into its respective feed position (16, 19) in the weaving cycle of the weaving machine is adjustable or programmable.

7. Module (33, 34) for holding and feeding a weft thread (1, 2) to the gripper (6) of a weaving machine with a housing or a carrier plate (24, 28), as well as with a clamp (11, 12) for the weft thread (1, 2), as well as with a drive (25, 29), with which the clamp (11, 12) is movable along a motion path (35, 36) into various different positions (16-18, 19-21), characterized in that the drive (25, 29) includes a jointed transmission or linkage mechanism, which is embodied in such a manner so that the motion path (35, 36) of the clamp comprises a shape that is closed in itself, so that by means of the drive the clamp (11, 12) is movable into three positions (16-18, 19-21) arranged one after another along the motion path (35, 36), and the clamp (11, 12) is movable from the last one of these three positions into the first one of these three positions without thereby coming into the intermediately located second position.

8. Module (33, 34) according to claim 7, in which the drive (25, 29) includes a motor (43) and in which the jointed transmission or linkage mechanism comprises a crank (38), which is drivable by the motor (43), furthermore with a push rod (23, 27), which is connected with the crank (38) and which is slidably supported in a slide joint (37), wherein the slide joint (37) is supported in a rotation point (39) with respect to the housing (24, 28) of the module (33, 34), furthermore with a clamp (11, 12) for the weft thread, wherein the clamp (11, 12) is mounted on the push rod (23, 27).

9. Module (33, 34) according to claim 8, in which the push rod (23, 27) includes a pneumatic cylinder (41) with a pneumatic piston (45) and with a piston rod (46), wherein the clamp (11, 12) is connected with the piston rod (46) in such a manner so that the clamp (11, 12) can be opened and closed by actuating the pneumatic cylinder (41).

10. Method for holding, feeding and inserting weft threads (1, 2) in a loom shed (7) of a weaving machine, wherein at least two weft threads (1, 2) and at least one gripper (6) for the insertion of the weft threads (1, 2) are present, as well as with at least one first and one second clamp (11, 12) as well as with at least one first and one second drive (25, 29), with which the clamps are moved independently of one another on different motion paths (35, 36) into different positions (16-18, 19-21), furthermore with means (15) for cutting the inserted weft thread (1, 2), wherein successive weaving cycles of the weaving machine include the following method steps: moving the first clamp (11) with an end of first weft thread (1) clamped therein out of a ready position (18) of the first clamp into a feed position (16) of the first clamp; grasping the first weft thread (1) by the gripper (6); inserting the first weft thread (1) into the loom shed (7); moving the first clamp (11) into a transfer position (17) of the first clamp; beating-up the first weft thread (1) against a beat-up line (10) of the weaving machine by means of a beat-up motion of a weaving reed (9); taking over the first weft thread (1) by the first clamp (11); cutting the first weft thread (1) so that a new first weft thread end arises; moving the first clamp (11) with the new end of the first weft thread (1) clamped therein out of the transfer position (17) of the first clamp into the ready position (18) of the first clamp; moving the second clamp (12) with an end of a second weft thread (2) clamped therein out of a ready position (21) of the second clamp into a feed position (19) of the second clamp; grasping the second weft thread (2) by the gripper (6); inserting the second weft thread (2) into the loom shed (7); moving the second clamp (12) into a transfer position (20) of the second clamp; beating-up the second weft thread (2) against the beat-up line (10) of the weaving machine by means of a beating-up motion of the weaving reed (9); taking over the second weft thread (2) by the second clamp (12); cutting the second weft thread (2) so that a new second weft thread end arises; moving the second clamp (12) with the new end of the second weft thread (2) clamped therein out of the transfer position (20) of the second clamp into the ready position (21) of the second clamp; wherein the method is characterized in that the drives (25, 29) of the clamps are embodied and arranged on the weaving machine in such a manner so that the motion path (35, 36) of each clamp comprises a shape that is closed in itself, and that each clamp (11, 12) is moved by means of the associated drive (25, 29) into three positions arranged one after another along the respective motion path (35, 36), namely the feed position (16, 19), the transfer position (17, 20) and the ready position (18, 21), and that the respective clamp (11, 12) is moved from the ready position (18, 21) into the feed positions (16, 19) without thereby coming into the intermediately located transfer position (17, 20), wherein the motion beginning of the motion of at least one of the two clamps (11, 12) out of its ready position (18, 21) into its feed position (16, 19) in the weaving cycle of the weaving machine lies in a time segment that extends from the beginning of the beat-up motion of the weaving reed (9) until the beat-up of the previously inserted weft thread (1, 2) against the beat-up line (10) of the weaving machine.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 Schematic partial view of the insertion side of a weaving machine with a view direction in the warp direction from the front;

(2) FIG. 2 View of the weaving machine according to FIG. 1, however with a view direction from the top, section A-A;

(3) FIG. 3 View of a weaving machine according to FIG. 1, however with a view direction in the weft direction, section B-B;

(4) FIG. 4 Enlarged view of the weaving machine according to FIG. 2, however with different positions of the clamps and of the gripper;

(5) FIG. 5 Schematic view of a module for holding and feeding weft threads, illustration of the motion path with a view direction in the weft direction, clamp in ready position;

(6) FIG. 6 Schematic view of the module according to FIG. 5, clamp in feed position;

(7) FIG. 7 Schematic view of the module according to FIG. 5, clamp in transfer position;

(8) FIG. 8 Enlarged view according to FIG. 2 with illustration of the motion paths of the first and the second clamp;

(9) FIG. 9 View of the weaving machine according to FIG. 1, however with a view direction from the top onto the apparatus for holding and feeding weft threads;

(10) FIG. 10 View of the weaving machine according to FIG. 2, however first clamp in transfer position, second clamp on the way to the feed position;

(11) FIG. 11 View of the weaving machine according to FIG. 10, however with view direction in the weft direction according to section B-B in FIG. 1;

(12) FIG. 12 Detail view of the push rod with pneumatic cylinder and clamp.

ADVANTAGEOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(13) The FIGS. 1-3 show schematic partial views of the insertion side of a weaving machine. Several weft threadstwo weft threads 1, 2 in the present exampleare drawn off from different supply bobbins 3. The weft threads 1, 2 are alternately brought into the motion line of a gripper 6, with the aid of an apparatus 4 for selecting weft threadsor weft colorsand an apparatus 5 for holding and feeding weft threads, and by this gripper are inserted into a loom shed 7. The loom shed 7 is formed in a known manner by warp threads 8. After the weft insertion, the inserted weft thread 2 is brought by a weaving reed 9 against the beat-up line 10 of the weaving machine or against the interlacing point of the woven fabric 13. Thereby, the weft thread 2 comes into the area of a clamp 12, which takes it up in a transfer position 20. Next the weft thread 2 is cut between the clamp 12 and the fabric edge 14 with the aid of a cutting device 15. Thereby two sections of the weft thread 2 arise. The one section remains in the woven fabric 13 and is transported together therewith in the direction toward a drawing-off apparatusnot shown. The clamp 12 with the other section or thread end of the weft thread 2 is brought into a ready position 21not shown in the FIGS. 1 to 3above the transfer position 20. As soon as the pertinent weft thread 2 is anew to be inserted into the loom shed 7, the thread end of this weft thread 2 is brought into a feed position 19 near the gripper 6 with the aid of the clamp 12. Simultaneously, the thread eye 22 of the apparatus 4 for selecting weft threads (for example a color selector) is moved downwardly. In this manner, the weft thread 2 comes into the path of the gripper 6 and can be grasped by it.

(14) The FIGS. 1 to 3 show the situation in which the thread end of a first weft thread 1 is held by a first clamp 11 above the weaving plane in a first ready position 18. The first clamp 11 is arranged at the tip of a first push rod or connecting rod 23, which is supported in a first housing 24 and is connected within the first housing 24 with a first drive 25 that will still be explained in detail later. The first weft thread 1 extends along its path from the weft thread supply 3e.g. from a yarn bobbin and possibly additionally through a pre-spooling devicevia the eye 22 of a color selector 4 to the first clamp 11.

(15) In the illustration according to the FIGS. 1 to 3, the second weft thread 2 is located in the loom shed 7 after it was immediately previously inserted by the gripper 6. It is illustrated how the weaving reed 9 moves the inserted second weft thread 2 in the direction toward the beat-up line 10 of the weaving machine. Outside of the loom shed 7 the second weft thread 2 extends beginning from the weft thread supply 3similarly as for the first weft thread 1via a lowered eye 22 of the color selector 4 to the loom shed 7. In the area of the extension of the beat-up line 10, a second clamp 12 is located in its transfer position 20. The second clamp 12 is arranged on the tip of a second push rod 27, which is supported in a second housing 28 and is connected with a second drive 29 within the second housing 28. The two housings 24, 28 with the drives 25, 29 for the clamps 11, 12 are in principle embodied similarly or of the same type, and in the present case are arranged mirror symmetrically and offset relative to one another.

(16) Starting from the position in the FIGS. 1 to 3, in the further progression of the process in the weaving cycle of the weaving machine, next the second weft thread 2 is transported against the beat-up line 10 of the weaving machine and is thereby beat-up against the interlacing point of the woven fabric 13. In that regard, the second weft thread 2 dips under and past the first weft thread 1 held in the first clamp 11. The crossing of the two weft threads 1, 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 is removed or avoided from this moment forward. Thereby, the path is cleared for a motion of the first weft thread 1 with the first clamp 11 that begins now, in the direction toward the feed position 16 of the first clamp 11 (see FIG. 4). The beat-up second weft thread 2 is introduced or guided into the second clamp 12 during the beating-up. In the present case, for this purpose the clamp 12 is pneumatically opened. How the control of the clamps 11, 12 is embodied will be described further below (FIG. 12).

(17) It is also possible to support or assist the introduction of the weft thread 2 into the clamp 12 in the transfer position 20 by an upwards motion of the clamp 12. Thereby the weft thread 2 is grasped by the clamp 12. Also conceivable are additional thread guide elements that press the weft thread 2 actively into the clamp 12 in the transfer position 20. The same applies analogously for the sequence or progression of the transfer of the weft thread 1 by the clamp 11.

(18) After the second weft thread 2 has been grasped by the second clamp 12, this clamp is closed. Next, the second weft thread 2 is cut between the second clamp 12 and the insertion-side fabric edge 14 by a cutting device 15 embodied as a weft thread scissors. Thereupon, the second clamp 12 with the new end of the second weft thread 2 is brought into the ready position 21 of the second clamp 12 (see FIG. 4). The associated eye 22 of the color selector 4 is lifted in this process. Still during the taking-up of the second weft thread 2 by the second clamp 12, the first clamp 11 with the first weft thread 1 moves out of its ready position 18 into the feed position 16. Thereby the associated eye 22 of the color selector 4 moves simultaneously downwardly. The gripper 6 begins its motion in the direction toward the loom shed 7 and thereby grasps the first weft thread 1. At that moment when the gripper 6 grasps the first weft thread 1, the first clamp 11 is pneumatically opened. The control mechanism is constructed similarly or of the same type as for the second clamp 12 and will be explained in detail further below. Now the first weft thread 1 is inserted into the loom shed 7. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 4. The illustrated feed position 16 of the first clamp 11 lies close to the gripper 6. The ready position 21 of the second clamp 12, in contrast, lies approximately in the middle between the beat-up line 10 and the gripper 6although above the feed position 19 and above the transfer position 20. The location of the various different pre-defined positions is described further below with the aid of the FIGS. 5 to 8.

(19) The FIGS. 1 to 4 also show that the gripper 6 in the present example embodiment is guided outside of the loom shed 7 by a guide rail 30 mounted on the weaving machine. The gripper 6 is secured on a gripper rod or rapier 32 via which the gripper 6 is pushed forward into the loom shed 7 and pulled back. Depending on whether the gripper 6 is driven by a gripper rod 32 or a gripper band or tape, other forms of grippers and guide rails 30 may also be used. During its motion in the direction toward the loom shed 7, the gripper 6 grasps the transversely presented weft thread 1. For this purpose, the gripper 6 is equipped with clamp elements 31, which are actively actuated by non-illustrated control elements. Of course, as the clamp element 31 on the gripper 6, a simply spring-loaded gripper clamp is also possible, which does not need to be actively opened in order to be able to take up the tread. Such gripper clamps are known to the skilled artisan. Also known are elements that serve to move the gripper 6 forward into the loom shed 7 and back again in each weaving cycle. In the present example, the rigid gripper rod 32 is used for that purposehowever a flexible band or tape can also be utilized. The gripper rod 32 or a corresponding gripper band or tape are driven in a reversing manner by a transmissionsuch transmissions are known to the skilled artisan and are therefore not further illustrated.

(20) For the invention it is also not significant whether the gripper 6 transports the weft thread 1, 2 over the entire width of the woven fabric 13 through the loom shed 7, or whether the weft thread 1, 2 is transferred in the middle of the weaving machine from a bringer-gripper to a taker-gripper, in order to be taken by it over the rest of the way through the loom shed 7.

(21) The FIGS. 5 to 7 show, in a schematic manner, details of a module 33 for holding and feeding a first weft thread 1 to the gripper 6 of a weaving machine. The FIGS. 5 to 7 are distinguished respectively from one another by the position of the clamp 11 that holds the weft thread 1 and brings it to the gripper 6.

(22) The individual modules 33, 34 for holding and feeding respectively a weft thread 1, 2, as provided in the scope or context of the invention, are fundamentally constructed in a similar or same-type manner, although presently are arranged pair-wise mirror-symmetrically offset on the weaving machine.

(23) A clamp 11 is located in the module 33 at the bottom end of a vertically slidable push rod 23. This push rod 23 is a part of a drive 25, which brings the clamp 11 on a motion path 35 into various different positions 16, 17, 18. The drive 25 is presently embodied in the manner of a slider crank mechanism or crank-and-rod drive. Several parts of the drive 25 are accommodated in a housing 24. The drive 25 includes a slide joint 37 that is rotatably supported in the housing 24, a crank 38 and a push rod or connecting rod 23 that is supported rotatably on the crank 38 and slidably on the slide joint 37. The push rod 23, which carries the clamp 11, is slidable in the slide joint 37. The slide joint 37 is rotatable about a rotation point 39 with respect to the housing 24. Compressed air 40 can be supplied via the slide joint 37, with the aid of which compressed air a small pneumatic cylinder 41 in the interior of the push rod 23 can be actuated (see FIG. 12). At its upper end, the push rod 23 is secured to the crank 38 of the slider crank mechanism in a rotation joint 42. The crank 38 is rotatingly driven by a motor 43.

(24) The module 33 for holding and feeding the first weft thread 1 is connected with an electronic control unit 44 for the drive 25 of the clamp 11 and for the actuation of the pneumatics for opening the clamp 11. This electronic control unit 44 for the clamp 11 is connected with a non-illustrated controller of the weaving machine and with a compressed air source outside of the weaving machine. Data can be exchanged between the controller of the weaving machine and the controller of the clamp 11. These data include, for example, also informations about the momentary position of the various different moving parts in the weaving cycle as well as about the rotational speed of the weaving machine. Furthermore, devices for adjusting or programming the control unit 44 for the clamp 11 are present on the control unit 44 for the clamp 11 or on the controller of the weaving machine. Via these devices, there is also achieved a specification of the motion beginning or start of the clamp 11 out of one of its predefined positions 17 to 19 into a different predefined position 17 to 19. Furthermore, with these devices for adjusting the clamps 11, the time points for opening and closing the clamp in the weaving cycle can also be prescribed. Also the rotation direction of the drive 25 or the motion direction of the clamp 11 on its motion path 35 can be specified via the control unit 44 and the devices for adjusting or programming the clamp 11.

(25) The motor 43, which drives the module 33 for holding and feeding weft threads, is mounted outside of the housing 24 and is connected via a non-illustrated shaft with the crank 38 in the interior of the housing 24. Details of the clamp 11 are illustrated in the FIG. 12, which will still be explained in detail further below. This description applies accordingly or analogously also for a module of the same kind with the second clamp 12.

(26) In the FIGS. 5 to 7, it furthermore can be recognized, that during the rotation of the motor 43 in the direction of the arrow, the tip of the push rod 23 with the clamp 11 secured thereto runs through a closed motion path 35. The above defined positions of the clamp 11: the ready position 18, the feed position 16 and the transfer position 17, lie on this motion path 35. All three lie in one motion plane. Therefore in the present example embodiment, the motion path 35 resembles a planar ellipse with the longer axis in the vertical direction. In principle, of course also other drives 25 of the clamp 11 with other shapes of the motion path 35 are conceivable. Significant are the three predefined positions 16 to 18 of the clamp 11, or 19 to 21 of the clamp 12, and the relative location of these positions relative to one another and with respect to the remaining weaving machine, as described in the scope or context of the invention.

(27) FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of the present elliptical motion paths 35, 36 for an apparatus 5 with two modules 33, 34 for driving two clamps 11, 12. The view is similar to the FIG. 2although enlarged. The weft threads 1, 2 were not illustrated in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the two clamps 11, 12 are respectively illustrated on the motion paths 35, 36 in the three predefined positions:

(28) TABLE-US-00001 16 feed position of the first clamp 17 transfer position of the first clamp 18 ready position of the first clamp 19 feed position of the second clamp 20 transfer position of the second clamp 21 ready position of the second clamp

(29) In the embodiment described here, two modules 33, 34 for holding and feeding a weft thread are tilted or inclined relative to one another in a fan-shaped manner. The motion planes are bent or angled among one another by an angle that lies in a vertical plane of the weaving machine extending in the weft direction. As one can see in FIG. 8, thereby it is achieved that the longitudinal axes of the two elliptical motion paths 35, 36 of the two clamps 11, 12 tend to extend upwardly apart from one another. Thereby, the ready positions 18, 21 of the two clamps 11, 12 have a larger spacing distance from one another in the weft direction than the feed positions 16, 19 of the two clamps 11, 12. The feed positions 16, 19 in turn have a similar spacing distance from one another in the weft direction as the two transfer positions 17, 20. The FIGS. 8 and 9 further show that the modules 33, 34 for holding and feeding a weft thread are arranged so that the motion planes of the two clamps 11, 12 with respect to the warp direction of the weaving machine are bent or angled by an angle that lies in a horizontal plane of the weaving machine. This leads to the result that the feed positions 16 of the clamps 11, 12 have a larger spacing distance from the fabric edge 14 than the transfer positions 17, 20.

(30) The FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show the situation for the case that the weft thread to be inserted in the next weaving cycle is a so-called first weft thread 1 in the scope or context of the invention (see above case A). That is to say, next the first weft thread 1 will be brought by the first clamp 11 out of the ready position 18 into the feed position 16. For distinguishing between the two possible sequences or progressions for holding and feeding the first or second weft thread, here the term first clamp or second clamp is defined in that the ready position 18 of the first clamp 11 is arranged closer to the insertion-side fabric edge 14 than the ready position 21 of the second clamp 12. The ready positions 18, 21 of the clamps 11, 12 are thus arranged offset relative to one another in the weft direction. The allocation of the weft threads 1, 2 to the thread eyes or thread guides 22 of the color selector 4 is achieved analogously to the allocation of the weft threads 1, 2 to the clamps. That is to say that the eye or thread guide 22 for the second weft thread 2 has a larger spacing distance from the fabric edge 14 than the eye 22 for the first weft thread.

(31) The motions of the clamps 11, 12 are now controlled in the weaving cycle so that the thread crossings of the threads 1, 2, which are kinematically necessitated and which were described further above, cannot lead to an interference in the weaving process. For this purpose, presently in the sequence or progression according to case A), the motion beginning of the first clamp 11 out of its ready position 18 into its feed position 16 in the weaving cycle of the weaving machine is adjusted or programmed so that the motion beginning takes place approximately 10 degrees before the beat-up of the immediately previously inserted second weft thread 2 against the interlacing point. Thereby it is achieved that the first weft thread 1 first crosses the course or path of the immediately previously inserted second weft thread 2 after this second weft thread 2, during the transport by the weaving reed 9 in the direction toward the beat-up line 10, has been moved under and past the first weft thread 1 clamped in the first clamp 11 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

(32) In the present example, for the sequence or progression according to case A), however also other values can be adjusted or set for the motion beginning of the first clamp 11, if this is necessitated by the geometric relationships, the rotational speed of the weaving machine or the type of the gripperand/or weaving reed motion. In principle it is of course also possible with the present arrangement, to adjustingly set a motion beginning of one clamp out of its ready position into the feed position, which only takes place after the beating-up of the immediately previously inserted weft thread. The advantages according to the invention are, however, then only partially achievable.

(33) In FIGS. 10 and 11, the sequence or progression is illustrated, which was referred to above as case B). That is the case in which the weft thread to be inserted in the next weaving cycle is a so-called second weft thread 2 in the scope or context of the invention. That is to say, it involves the insertion of a weft thread 2 that is brought by a clamp that is here referred to as the second clamp 12 out of its ready position 21 into the feed position 19 and there is gripped by the gripper, while the previously inserted first weft thread 1 is transported or beat-up by the weaving reed 9 against the beat-up line 10. The sequence or progression of the method according to the FIGS. 10 and 11 (case B) is configured so that the motion of the second clamp 12 out of the ready position 21 into the feed position 19 begins already earlier in the phase of the weaving cycle while the previously inserted first weft thread 1 is still being moved by the weaving reed 9 in the direction toward the interlacing point. The sequence or progression is adjustingly set so that the second weft thread 2 first crosses the path of the immediately previously inserted first weft thread 1 after this first weft thread 1, during the transport by the weaving reed 9 in the direction toward the beat-up line 10, has been moved over and past the second weft thread 2 clamped in the second clamp 12 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). This occurs through such an adjustment or programming of the controller 44, that the motion beginning of the second clamp 12 out of its ready position 21 into its feed position 19 in the weaving cycle, for example takes place 40 degrees before the beat-up of the previously inserted first weft thread 1. If applicable, a support or assistance of these relative motions of the two weft threads relative to one another by a vertical motion of one or both eyes 22 of the color selector 4 with the weft threads 1 and 2 can be necessary. Also in the sequence or progression according to the FIGS. 10 and 11 (case B), other values can be adjustingly set for the motion beginning of the second clamp 12, if the geometric relationships, the rotational speed of the weaving machine or the type of the gripper- and/or weaving reed motion necessitate this.

(34) In enlarged views, the FIG. 12 shows details of the first clamp 11, as well as of the push rod 23 with slide joint 37 and pneumatic cylinder 41. This illustration pertains analogously or accordingly also for the second clamp 12. The push rod 23 is supported slidably in the longitudinal direction in the slide joint 37. The slide joint 37 has a rotation point 39 via which it is rotatably supported in the housing 24. In the interior thereof, the push rod 23 contains a pneumatic cylinder 41 which is acted on by compressed air 40 on the upper side thereof. By the compressed air 40, the piston 45 together with the piston rod and the clamp 11 secured thereon is pressed downwardly. Thereby the clamp 11 on the tip of the push rod 23 is opened (clamp 11). Upon switching off the compressed air 40 via a non-illustrated pneumatic valve, the piston 45 together with the piston rod 46 is pressed upwardlythe clamp 11 is closedby the force of a spring 47. The compressed air 40 is directed into the pneumatic cylinder 41 via an opening 48 in the push rod 23. The opening 48 has the shape of an elongated hole, which is positioned so that the clamp 11 in the feed position 16 and in the transfer position 17 can be pneumatically opened and closed.

(35) TABLE-US-00002 Reference numbers 1 first weft thread 2 second weft thread 3 weft thread supply 4 apparatus for selecting weft threads 5 apparatus for holding and feeding weft threads 6 gripper 7 loom shed 8 warp threads 9 weaving reed 10 beat-up line or interlacing point 11, 11 first clamp or clip 12 second clamp or clip 13 woven fabric 14 fabric edge 15 cutting device 16 feed position of the first clamp 17 transfer position of the first clamp 18 ready position of the first clamp 19 feed position of the second clamp 20 transfer position of the second clamp 21 ready position of the second clamp 22 thread eyes of the apparatus for selecting weft threads 23 first push rod or connecting rod 24 first housing 25 first drive 27 second push rod or connecting rod 28 second housing 29 second drive 30 guide rail for the gripper 31 clamp element of the gripper 32 gripper rod or rapier 33 module for holding and feeding a first weft thread 34 module for holding and feeding a second weft thread 35 motion path of the first clamp 36 motion path of the second clamp 37 slide joint 38 crank 39 rotation point of the slide joint in the housing 40 compresses air 41 pneumatic cylinder 42 rotation joint of the crank 43 motor 44 control unit for the clamps 45 piston of the pneumatic cylinder 46 piston rod 47 spring on the piston 48 opening for compressed air