Tufting maching and method of tufting

Abstract

A tufting machine for selectively forming tufts of yarns, including different color or type yarns, for forming patterned tufted articles such as carpets. A series of needles are reciprocated into and out of a backing material being fed through the tufting machine and are engaged by a series of gauge parts so as to pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The gauge parts will be selectively controlled by activators to extend or retract the gauge parts to positions or elevations sufficient to pick-up or not pick-up loops of yarns from the needles. The feeding of the yarns to the needles further will be controlled to back-rob yarns not picked-up by the gauge parts, while the backing feed will be controlled to enable formation of tufts at an increased rate over the pattern stitch rate for the pattern of the tufted article being formed.

Claims

1. A tufting machine, comprising: at least one needle bar having a plurality of needles mounted therealong; backing feed rolls feeding a backing material; at least one yarn feed mechanism feeding yarns to the needles; and a gauge part assembly positioned below the backing material, the gauge part assembly comprising: at least one module carrying a series of gauge parts in a reciprocating motion in a direction toward and away from engagement with the needles as the needles are reciprocated into the backing material, wherein the at least one module comprises: a module body formed from a metal, polymer, composite or synthetic material, or combinations thereof and having a first hardness, the module body adapted to mount along a gauge bar and having a passage defined therethrough; and inserts positioned along the module body on opposite sides of the passage, the inserts each having slots in which one of the gauge parts is slideably received, each of the slots configured to slideably receive at least a portion of one of the gauge parts therein; wherein the inserts comprise a metal or metal carbide material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness of module body; wherein the gauge parts each include a body at least partially received within opposed slots of the inserts and moveable through the passage of the module body in an additional direction with respect to a stroke of the needles, the body of each gauge part having a first portion extending through the passage of the at least one module and a second portion having a throat configured to pick-up loops of yarns from the needles; and a series of actuators coupled to said gauge parts for controlling movement of the gauge parts though the module body; and a control system including programming for controlling the at least one yarn feed mechanism to control feeding of the yarns to the needles in coordination with control of actuation of one or more actuators so as to extend or retract selected ones of the gauge parts such that said throats of the selected ones of gauge parts are moved between a no-sew position and an engaging position with respect to the stroke of the needles into the backing material for selectively forming tufts of yarns in the backing material according to a pattern being formed.

2. The tufting machine of claim 1, further comprising a shift mechanism for shifting said at least one needle bar transversely across the backing material, and wherein the control system further comprises programming to coordinate shifting of the at least one needle bar by the shift mechanism, feeding of the backing material by said backing feed rolls, control of the actuators coupled to the gauge parts, and control of the at least one yarn feed mechanism feeding the yarns to the needles as the needles are reciprocated into and out of the backing material, so as to present a series of yarns to selected stitch locations along the backing material and withdraw non-selected yarns where loops of such non-selected yarns are not picked up by one of the gauge parts, and with the backing material moved through a tufting zone at an operative stitch rate that is greater than a pattern stitch rate for the pattern being formed to provide a number of retained tufts per inch of face yarns in the backing material approximately equivalent to the pattern stitch rate.

3. The tufting machine of claim 1, wherein the gauge parts comprise level cut loop loopers, loop pile loopers, or cut pile hooks.

4. The tufting machine of claim 1, wherein the actuators comprise hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.

5. The tufting machine of claim 1, wherein the gauge part assembly further comprises a series of connectors extending between each gauge part and an associated actuator, each of the connectors including a linkage received within and movable through a housing.

6. The tufting machine of claim 5, wherein the housing of each connector comprises a polymer, composite or synthetic material or combination thereof, further includes a channel extending there through; and wherein each linkage comprises a metal or composite material or combinations thereof.

7. The tufting machine of claim 5, wherein the body of each housing further comprises a composite material including a polymer or plastic with a fibrous fill material, and has a channel defined therein and along which the linkage is moveable; and wherein the linkage of each connector comprises a hardened metal body coupled to the body of the housing and having a proximal end configured to engage the first portion of one of the gauge parts, and a distal end configured to be engaged by an actuator associated with the gauge part for translating movement by the actuator to the gauge part.

8. The tufting machine of claim 1, wherein the inserts of the at least one module each comprise a first pair of inserts mounted to upper and lower surfaces of the module body along a first side of the passage of the module body and a second pair of inserts mounted to the upper and lower surfaces of the module body along a second side of the passage of the module body spaced from and facing the first pair of inserts; and wherein the slots of the inserts of the first pair of inserts are arranged in an opposing and substantially aligned relationship with corresponding slots of the inserts of the second pair of inserts.

9. The tufting machine of claim 8, wherein the inserts of the first and second pairs of inserts are configured to overlie the upper and lower surfaces of the module body, and each includes a slotted opening adapted to receive a fastener therethrough for adjustably mounting each of the first and second pairs of inserts to the module body with the inserts arranged at a selected spacing from each other and at a selected location with respect to the passage defined through the module body.

10. The tufting machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one needle bar comprises a pair of needle bars each having a series of needles mounted in spaced series therealong.

11. A gauge part assembly for a tufting machine, comprising: a plurality of modules, each module including a module body and having a passage defined therethrough; a series of gauge parts slideably received within each of the modules, the gauge parts each having a throat terminating at a bill, wherein the gauge parts are carried with their modules in a first direction toward and away from engagement with needles of the tufting machine so as to selectively to pick up loops of yarns from the needles along the throats of the gauge parts, and wherein each of the gauge parts are selectively movable in a second direction along the passage of their modules; first and second inserts mounted to the module body of each module on opposite sides of the passage defined through the module body, each insert formed from a metal or metal carbide material having a hardness greater than a hardness of module body and having a series of slots formed therein; wherein the slots of the first and second inserts are substantially aligned across the passage and are configured to define contact areas along with at least a portion of one of the gauge parts is slideably received; a plurality of actuators each coupled to an associated one of the gauge parts and adapted to move their associated one of the gauge parts in the second direction through the passage of its module, whereby the gauge parts are extended or retracted to move the throats of the gauge parts between extended positions for engaging and picking loops of yarns from the needles and a retracted position to substantially avoid picking loops of yarns from the needles; and a connector extending between each actuator and its associated one of the gauge parts, each connector having a housing formed from a polymer material with a linkage encased therein.

12. The gauge part assembly of claim 11, wherein each housing further comprises a composite material including a polymer or plastic with a fibrous fill material, and has a channel defined therein and along which the linkage is moveable; and wherein the linkage of each connector comprises a hardened metal body extending through the housing and having a proximal end configured to engage a portion of one of the gauge parts, and a distal end configured to be engaged by the actuator associated with each gauge part for translating movement by the actuator to the gauge part.

13. The gauge part assembly of claim 11, wherein an upper portion of each of the first and second inserts is configured to overlap an upper surface of the module body and includes a slotted opening adapted to receive a fastener therethrough for adjustably mounting each of the first and second inserts to the module body with the inserts arranged at a selected spacing from each other and at a selected location with respect to the passage defined through the module body.

14. The gauge part assembly of claim 11, wherein the inserts comprise a metal carbide material having a hardness of at least 75+RC.

15. The gauge part assembly of claim 11, wherein the inserts comprise a metal carbide material and the module bodies comprise an aluminum material.

16. A gauge part assembly for a tufting machine, comprising: at least one module having a module body with a passage defined therethrough; a series of gauge parts received within the passage of the module body, each gauge part including a body with a first portion and a second portion having a throat, wherein the gauge parts are carried with their modules in a first direction toward and away from engagement with associated needles of the tufting machine to pick up loops of yarns from the needles along the throats of the gauge parts, and wherein the gauge parts are selectively movable in a second direction along the passage of the module body; inserts arranged along opposite sides of the passage of the module body, each insert formed from material having a hardness greater than a hardness of the metal or composite material of the module body and having a series of spaced slots configured to receive at least a portion of one of the gauge parts; and a plurality of actuators each actuator coupled to the first portion of an associated gauge part of the series of the gauge parts and adapted to move their associated gauge parts in the second direction through the passage of the at least one module, whereby the gauge parts are extended or retracted through the module body so as to move the throats of the gauge parts between extended positions for engaging and picking loops of yarns from the needles and a retracted position to substantially avoid picking loops of yarns from the needles.

17. The gauge part assembly of claim 16, further comprising a connector extending between each actuator and its associated gauge part, each connector having a housing formed from a polymer material with a linkage encased therein.

18. The gauge part assembly of claim 16, wherein the module body of the at least one module is molded or cast from a metal or composite material.

19. The gauge part assembly of claim 18, wherein the inserts each comprise a body molded or cast from a metal, carbide or powdered metal material, with a tab or flange portion in which the slots are formed.

20. The gauge part assembly of claim 19, wherein the body of each of the inserts further comprises upper and lower tab or flange portions engaging upper and lower surfaces of the module body, with the slots extending through the upper and lower tab or flange portions.

21. The gauge part assembly of claim 16, wherein the inserts each comprise a body molded or cast from a metal, carbide or powdered metal material, with a tab or flange portion in which the slots are formed, and wherein the module body of the at least one module comprises a metal or composite material molded or cast to form the module body with the substantially integrated therewith.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of this disclosure, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments discussed herein. No attempt is made to show structural details of this disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein and the various ways in which they may be practiced. Those skilled in the art further will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that the dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein.

(2) FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one example embodiment of a tufting machine with selectively controllable looper assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tufting zone of the tufting machine of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tufting machine of FIGS. 1-2.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a gauge module or gauge block and gauge parts according to principles of the present disclosure

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gauge module or gauge block and gauge parts of FIG. 4.

(7) FIGS. 6A-6B are plan views of the gauge module or gauge block of FIGS. 4-5.

(8) FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an embodiment of a connector for connecting the gauge parts to their actuators according to principles of the present disclosure.

(9) FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate another embodiment of a connector for connecting the gauge parts to their actuators according to principles of the present disclosure.

(10) FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate still a further an embodiment of a connector for connecting the gauge parts to their actuators according to principles of the present disclosure.

(11) FIGS. 10A-10B are perspective views of a portion of a series of needles and their respective gauge parts in one example embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

(12) FIGS. 11A-11C are side elevational views illustrating an embodiment of an operation of the selectively actuatable gauge parts in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-11C generally illustrate an embodiment of a tufting machine 10 and method for forming patterned tufted articles, according to the principles of the present disclosure, wherein placement of stitches or tufts 5 of yarns Y can be at desired locations in a backing material B can be controlled. Such tufts or stitches can be formed with a sculptured, multi-pile height tufted appearance, and further can be placed with enhanced selectivity and/or control, for formation of further varying or free-flowing pattern effects. For example, the tufted article can be formed with the tufts of yarns formed at varying pile heights to provide sculptured looks, and with different color or type yarns for formation of multi-color patterns of various geometric and/or free-flowing designs. Additionally, it will be understood that various numbers of different type and/or color yarns (i.e., two color, three color, five color, six color, etc.), can be used to form multiple pile height patterned tufted articles according to the principles of the present disclosure.

(14) As generally illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the tufting machine 10 will include a frame 11, which can include a head or upper portion 12 housing a needle bar drive 13 and defining a tufting zone T. The needle bar drive mechanism 13 (FIGS. 1 and 2) typically includes a series of push rods 14 that can be connected to a needle bar drive 16 (such as a gear box/assembly) shown in FIG. 1 or similar mechanism, by connector rods 17, which needle bar drive 16 in turn can be connected to and driven off a main drive shaft 18 of the tufting machine, for example by one or more drive belts or drive chains 19, and with the main drive shaft 18 itself being driven by a motor such as a servo motor. Alternatively, the push rods 14 of the needle bar drive mechanism 13 can be connected via connector rods 17 to the main drive shaft 18 so as to be driven directly off the main drive shaft, or by an independent drive system (not shown).

(15) An encoder or similar sensor additionally can be provided for monitoring the rotation of the main drive shaft and reporting the position of the main drive shaft to a control system 25 (FIG. 1) controlling the operation of the tufting machine 10. The control system 25 generally can comprise a tufting machine control including a computer/processor or system controller 26 with an operator interface 26A, such as a touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc., through which the operator can input patterns, make adjustments, etc. In some embodiments, the control system 25 can comprise or include a stitch distribution control system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,359,989, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein, with the controller 26 further including programming for control methodology for forming tufted patterns, including sculptured patterns having tufts formed at multiple pile heights, as well as with various color/stitch placement controlled patterns such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,359,989.

(16) The control system 25 generally will include programming enabling the monitoring and control of the operative elements of the tufting machine 10, such as the needle bar drive mechanism 13, yarn feed attachments 27, backing feed rolls 28, the main drive shaft 18, a needle bar shift mechanism 40 (FIG. 3) and a gauge part assembly 30 mounted beneath the tufting zone T of the tufting machine in accordance with the calculated/determined pattern instructions, as discussed more fully below. The control system 25 (FIG. 1) further can receive and execute or store pattern information in memory storage of the system controller 26. In response to developed/programmed pattern instructions, the control system 25 will control the operative elements of the tufting machine 10 in order to form the desired tufted patterns in the backing material B as the backing material is passed through the tufting zone T in the direction of arrow 33 by the backing feed rolls 28, as indicated in FIGS. 1-3.

(17) In some embodiments, the system controller 26 of the control system 25 generally can be programmed with instructions for forming one or more desired patterns for one or more tufted articles, including a series of pattern steps, which steps can be created or calculated manually or through the use of design centers or design software as understood by those skilled in the art or can receive such patterns via input from a disk, USB or other external drive, or through a network connection. Alternatively, the controller 26 can include image recognition software to enable scanned and/or designed pattern images, such as designed patterns, including pile heights and other characteristics such as placement of loop pile and cut pile tufts in the pattern shown by, for example, different colors or similar markers or indicators, as well as photographs, drawings and other images, can be input, programmed, recognized and processed by the control system, including receiving inputs from a design center or through various design software systems, or via a scanner or other imaging device 31 (FIG. 1). The control system can recognize and identify various pattern characteristics, including colors and/or difference in texture of a designed pattern image indicative of texture effects such as placement or location of loop and/or cut pile tufts, and can assign selected yarns thereto.

(18) Additionally, in embodiments such as where the control system 25 can operate in conjunction with or also can comprise or include a stitch distribution control system, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,359,989 (incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein). For example, and without limitation, the control system can incorporate programming to provide for the functionality of such a stitch distribution control system, or a separate stitch distribution control can be linked thereto. The control system also can be provided with software/programming to enable reading and recognition of colors of an input scanned pattern, and can assign supply positions for the yarns being supplied from a supply creel to various ones of the needles based on the thread-up sequence of the needles of the needle bar so as to optimize the supplies of the various color yarns in the creel for the best use thereof, to form recognized pattern fields from pattern images. The control system further can include programming enabling it to create pattern fields or mapping of the pattern, including mapping a series of pattern pixels or tuft/stitch placement locations identifying the spaces or locations at which the various color yarns and/or cut/loop pile tufts will be selectively placed to form the imaged pattern. A desired pattern density, i.e., a desired number of stitches per inch to appear on the face of the finished patterned tufted article, also can be selected and an actual effective or operative process stitch rate for the pattern calculated to achieve the appearance of the desired fabric stitch rate of the pattern.

(19) The control system 25 of the present disclosure further can include programming to receive, determine and/or execute various shift or cam profiles, or can calculate a proposed shift profile based on a scanned, an input, or other designed pattern image or pattern file. For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, a designed pattern file image, photograph, drawing, etc., can be loaded, scanned, or otherwise input at the tufting machine or by a network connection, and the control system can read, recognize and calculate the pattern steps/parameters, including control of yarn feed, control of backing movement and/or needle reciprocation to form tufts in the backing at an effective stitch rate to achieve a desired pattern density, a cam/shift profile, and arrangement of yarns to match the scanned and/or designed pattern image, and can thereafter control the operation of the tufting machine to form this selected pattern. An operator additionally can select or modify stitch rates, yarn feeds, a selected cam profile or a calculated shift profile, such as by indicating whether the pattern is to have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more colors, or a desired number of pattern repeats, and/or can manually calculate, input and/or adjust or change the creel assignments, shift profiles and/or a color mapping created by the control system as needed via a manual override control/programming.

(20) As indicated in FIGS. 1-3, the tufting machine 10 further will include one or more needle bars 35 attached to and driven by the push rods 14. The needle bar(s) 35 move a series of needles 36 in a reciprocating motion (shown by arrows 37/37′) into and out of the backing material B, so as to carry or insert the yarns Y into the backing. In some embodiments, the needles can be arranged in a single in-line row along one or two needle bars. In other embodiments, the needles 36 can be mounted in a staggered arrangement along a single needle bar or along a pair of needle bars, with offset rows of needles spaced transversely along the length of each needle bar(s) and being staggered across the tufting zone of the tufting machine. The needle bar(s) 35 further can be shiftable transversely across the width of the backing material, so as to shift or step the needles 36 in a direction that is transverse or generally perpendicular to the longitudinal path of travel through the tufting machine. Accordingly, while one example embodiment including a single needle bar 35, with an inline row of needles 36 arranged therealong may be shown in the figures, the present disclosure is not limited to the use of a single needle bar or a particular configuration of needles. Instead, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that additional arrangements of dual needle bars and single needle bars having spaced rows of needles 36 that can be arranged in-line or in staggered or offset configurations, and both of which further can be shifted, also can be utilized in the tufting machine 10 incorporating the system according to the present disclosure.

(21) Each of the needles generally will include a shank or body 38 terminating at a pointed end 38A, and including a take-off point or area 39 where the gauge parts 32 can engage and pick-up yarns Y from the needles, such as indicated in FIGS. 10A-11A. As the needles are reciprocated in substantially vertical motion in the direction of arrows 37 and 37′ (FIG. 2), they penetrate into and out of the backing material B along a stroke to a desired or predetermined penetration depth, carrying the yarns Y therewith, and will be selectively engaged by gauge parts 32 of the gauge part assembly 30, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C to pick up loops L of the yarns from the needles. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a shift mechanism 40 also can be linked to the needle bar 35 (or needle bars) where used for shifting the needle bar in the direction of arrows 41 and 41′, transversely across the tufting zone according to calculated or computed pattern instructions. The shift mechanism 40 can include a Smart Step™ type shifter as manufactured by Card-Monroe Corp., or alternatively can include various other types of shift mechanisms including servo-motor or hydraulically controlled shifters, and/or pattern cam shifters as are conventionally used. Additional shift mechanisms including backing material or jute shifters, operable separately or in conjunction with a needle bar shifter for shifting the backing material laterally with respect to the needles also can be used.

(22) As further illustrated in FIG. 1, one or more yarn feed mechanisms or attachments 27 can be mounted to the frame 11 of the tufting machine 10 for controlling the feeding of the yarns Y to each of the needles 36 during operation of the tufting machine. For example, as indicated in FIG. 3, a series of different type or color yarns (Y1-Y4) can be fed in a selected thread-up sequence or series (e.g., ABCD) to each of the needles, with the thread-up sequences generally being determined or selected based upon a pattern being run. Additionally, while one yarn feed unit 27 is shown along one side of the tufting machine 10 (for purposes of illustration), in other embodiments, multiple yarn feed units can be mounted on one or both sides of the tufting machine, for feeding yarns to the needles 36 of one or more needle bars 35.

(23) There are a variety of yarn feed attachments that can be utilized with the stitch distribution control system of the present disclosure for controlling the feeding of the different yarns Y to various ones of the needles 36. The pattern yarn feed attachments or mechanisms 27 (FIG. 1) can comprise conventional yarn feed/drive mechanisms such as roll or scroll pattern attachments having a series of rolls extending at least partially along the tufting machine and driven by motors under direction of the control system 25 for controlling the feeding of the yarns across the tufting machine to form pattern repeats and/or multiple pile heights and/or other texture effects across the width of the backing material. Such yarn feed mechanisms or attachments can include Quick Thread™, Enhanced Graphics™, and/or Multi Pile Height Scroll yarn feed controls/attachments as manufactured by Card-Monroe Corp.

(24) In some embodiments, pattern yarn feed attachments can be used which have multiple yarn feed drives 45, as indicated in FIG. 1, each including a motor 46 and a feed roll 47, for controlling the feeding of specific sets of repeats of yarns to selected needles, including the use of individual yarn feed rolls or drives 45 for controlling the feeding of single yarns (or ends) or multiple ends of yarns (i.e., 2-4 or more yarns) to the needles 36, such as single and multi-end/servo-scroll attachments, including Infinity™ and Infinity IIE™ systems as manufactured by Card-Monroe Corp. Thus, while in FIG. 1 a yarn feed such as a single or multiple end type yarn feed mechanism 27 is shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the pattern yarn feed mechanisms utilized to control the yarn feed can include single or double end yarn feed controls, scroll, roll, and/or similar attachments, and/or various combinations thereof, and further can be mounted along one or both sides of the tufting machine. Still further, in embodiments, the control system 25 can perform yarn feed compensation and/or yarn feed modeling to help control and reduce or minimize the amounts of non-retained/non-appearing yarns to be fed to avoid excess feeding of yarns and thus minimize waste during a tufting operation.

(25) The yarn feed attachment can be controlled to selectively feed the yarns to their respective needles in cooperation with the other operative systems of the tufting machine, including the backing feed, shifting of the needle bars and the operation of the gauge part assembly 30, to enable control of the presentation of a number of different colors or types of yarns into the packing and the selective pick-up and retention of loops of selected or desired ones of the presented yarns (e.g., yarns selected to appear in the face of the finished patterned article) to form tufts of such yarns with selected or desired pile heights. In addition, the surface or face yarns or tufts that are to appear on the face of the tufted article can be controlled so as to be fed in amounts sufficient to form such tufts of the selected color or type yarns at desired or prescribed pile heights, while the non-appearing yarns that are to be hidden in particular color and/or texture fields of the pattern will be backrobbed and/or pulled substantially low or out of the backing material to an extent sufficient to avoid such yarns interfering with the face yarns or retained tufts that are to be visible in the pattern field, and to avoid creating an undesired space or gap between the retained tufts or face yarns.

(26) In an embodiment, each color or type yarn that can be placed/tufted at each pixel or stitch location generally either can be presented to such pixel or stitch location for tufting, with only the yarn(s) selected to be shown or appearing at the pixel or stitch location being retained and formed at a desired pile height. Thus, for a 4 color pattern, for example, each of the 4 color yarns A, B, C and D that can be tufted at a particular pixel or location can be presented to such pixel with only the selected yarn or yarns of the pattern, e.g., the “A” yarn, being retained, while the remaining, non-selected yarns, B, B-C, B-D, and/or other combinations, can be presented and back-robbed/pulled back and/or removed from the backing at such pixels or stitch locations. Accordingly, when a yarn is presented to a pixel or stitch location, if the yarn is to be retained or appear in the pixel or stitch location, the yarn feed 27 can be controlled to feed an amount of yarn so as to form a tuft of yarn at the pixel or stitch location. If the yarn presented is not to be retained or appearing in the pixel or stitch location, it can be controlled so that a loop or tuft may not be formed, or can be pulled back and/or removed. If no yarns are selected for insertion at a particular pixel or stitch location, the gauge parts also can be controlled to selectively pick-up or not pick-up loops of yarns presented to particular pixels.

(27) As further shown in FIGS. 1-3, the gauge part assembly 30 generally is mounted below the bed 34 and tufting zone T of the tufting machine 10. As the needles penetrate the backing material, they are engaged by a series of gauge parts 32 of the gauge part assembly 30 so as to form loops L (FIGS. 2-3) of the yarns Y for forming tufts 5 of yarns of selected colors or types, and with selected lengths or pile heights. The gauge parts 32 of the gauge part assembly 30, in various embodiments, can include a series of loopers or hooks 50, each of which can be slidably mounted within a gauge module, gauge block or other holder that can be mounted along a gauge bar 52 or similar mount or attachment for coupling the gauge parts to a drive mechanism 53 for driving a reciprocating movement of the gauge parts in a first direction toward and away from the needles 36, as indicated by arrows 54 and 54′ in FIGS. 1-3. It further will be understood by those skilled in the art that various types of gauge parts, including cut pile hooks, loop pile loopers, level out loop loopers, cut/loop clips or other gauge parts also can be used.

(28) As indicated in FIGS. 4-5, in one embodiment, the gauge parts 32 can include loopers or hooks 50, each having an elongated body 55 that can be slidably mounted within and can be moveable through its gauge module 51. The body 55 of each looper or hook 50 will include a first portion 60, a second portion 61 including an elongated throat 62 that, in one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4-5, generally can extend at an angle with respect to an intermediate portion 56 of the body 55, and which can terminate at a generally pointed proximal end or bill 63. For example, the throat 62 and proximal end 63 can be configured similar to a loop pile looper. Other configurations of gauge parts also can be used. As further indicated in FIGS. 4-5, the first portion 60 of the body of each looper or hook 50 generally will project through the gauge module or block 51, and can have a slot or recess 64 formed therein, by which the looper or hook can be engaged and/or coupled to an actuator 66, such as by a gate or connector 67 (FIG. 2).

(29) FIGS. 4-5 illustrate one embodiment of a gauge module or gauge block 51, which includes a body 75, that can have a substantially rectangular or square configuration as shown, although other configurations also can be used, and in which a series or set of gauge parts 32, such as loopers or hooks 50 are received. In some embodiments, the module body 75 of each gauge module 51 will be formed from a metal or metal alloy material, although various composites, synthetic materials and/or other materials also can be used. For example, and without limitation, the body of the gauge module can be made from a lightweight steel, such as a mild steel or tool steel, or aluminum, or other, similar lightweight yet substantially rigid and durable materials. In embodiments, the module bodies can be cast, molded or otherwise formed. The material from which the body of the gauge module is formed further can be selected to provide a reduction of weight to the gauge modules, while still providing sufficient durability and rigidity to hold and/or substantially maintain the gauge parts in their alignment or position for engaging the take-off portions of the needles during reciprocation of the gauge parts into and away from engagement during operation of the tufting machine.

(30) As generally illustrated in FIGS. 4-6B, the module body 75 of each gauge module 51 will include a first, forward or front section 76, and a second, rear or back section 77. The rear section 77 of the body 75 of each gauge module 51 further generally will be configured to engage and mount to a gauge bar, such as illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the rear section of the body can include tabs or other locating devices 77A (FIG. 5) for aligning the gauge module along the gauge bar and further will include at least one fastener opening, such as shown at 78 in FIGS. 6A-6B, therealong. A removable fastener such as a socket, hex screw, or other, similar removable fastener or attachment device, will be inserted through the fastener opening 78 and into a corresponding opening 79 (FIG. 6B) in the gauge bar for releasably mounting the gauge module 51 to the gauge bar. As a result, in some embodiments, the gauge modules, with their gauge parts contained therein, can be removed and replaced as a unit, without necessarily having to replace individual gauge parts; for example, to expedite a change out of broken or damaged gauge parts, or for changing the gauge spacing or arrangement of the gauge parts of the tufting machine.

(31) As further indicated in FIGS. 4-6B, a passage 80 generally will be formed through the body 75 of each gauge module 51, with the passage 80 generally located along an intermediate portion 81 of the body between the first and second sections 76/77 thereof. The passage 80 will be sized and/or configured to receive a plurality of gauge parts, such as loopers or hooks 50, therein. In embodiments such as illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, the body 55 of each of the loopers or hooks 50 generally will be received within and extend through the passage 80, with the first portions 60 of each of the loopers or hooks generally projecting downwardly past the lower or bottom surface 82 of the module body 75, while the second portion 61 of each looper or hook can extend/project upwardly from and above the upper or top surface 83 of the module body 75.

(32) In addition, one or more inserts 85 can be mounted to the opposite side surfaces, e.g. the upper and lower surfaces, of each module body, in positions or locations aligned along the passage 80 defined through the whole body of each gauge module, as generally indicated in FIGS. 4-5. The inserts will be configured to engage and guide the gauge parts as the gauge parts are moved through and along the passage of the gauge module body. For example, in some embodiments, such as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6A, pairs or sets of inserts 85A and 85B can be provided, with one of the inserts (e.g. a first insert 85A) being mounted along a first, left or forward side 80A of the passage 80, while the insert (e.g., a second insert 85B) is mounted along a second, right or rearward side 80B of the passage 80, and with each of the inserts 85A and 85B generally being arranged in a substantially facing, opposed, parallel relationship with the gauge parts 32 engaged and moveable therebetween. Also, in some embodiments, such as indicated in FIGS. 4-5, a pair of first inserts can be mounted along the top and bottom surfaces of the module body along the 1st or left side of the passage, and a pair of second inserts 85B can be mounted along the top and bottom surfaces of the module body along the 2nd or right side of the passage.

(33) Each of the inserts 85 generally will be formed from a hardened metal or metal alloy material, a metal carbide, ceramics, and/or powdered metal materials including metal powders including tungsten, titanium, or other materials having a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the material of the gauge module body. For example, in some embodiments, the inserts can be formed from a metal carbide material having a hardness of approximately 74+RC or greater, while the module body can be formed from a mild steel. In other embodiments, the inserts can be formed from ceramics, powdered metal materials including tungsten, titanium or similar hard metal components, metal carbides, or other materials with a hardness of between approximately 74+RC to approximately 85+RC, or greater.

(34) Each of the inserts 85 further each can include an insert body 86 having a tab or flange portion 87 that extends either forwardly or rearwardly, as indicated in FIG. 5, from the passage of the gauge module body, generally seating upon and engaging the upper and lower surfaces 83/82 of the module body. As additionally indicated in FIGS. 4 and 6A-6B, each of the inserts 85 also will include at least one opening or slot 89 formed along the tab or flange portion thereof, and through which a fastener, such as a set screw 90, or other, similar removable fastener, can be received. The slots or openings 89 formed in the tabs or flange portions inserts generally can be aligned with a corresponding slot or locator opening 91 formed along the upper and/or lower surfaces 83/82 of the module body to help locate and mount each insert to the body of its module and along the passage of its gauge module. As also indicated in FIG. 6B, the inserts can be shifted laterally, across the module body and substantially parallel to the passage 80, and further can be adjustable toward and away from each other across the passage of the gauge module body, after which fasteners can be inserted therein and tightened to secure the inserts 85 to their module body. Additional locator guide pins 92 further can be received in slots on the locator openings 93 formed along flange or tab portions 87 of each of the inserts to additionally help position the inserts along and across the passage of the module body as needed.

(35) In additional embodiments, the inserts 85 can be substantially integrated with their modules. The inserts can be bonded, molded, encapsulated, and/or otherwise affixed to the bodies of their modules, with the inserts being substantially integrated with the module bodies so as to form a substantially unitary construction of the module bodies, and with the inserts forming or defining a portion of the passages thereof. For example, in some cases, the inserts can be located or received within the passages of the module bodies and substantially permanently mounted thereto, while in other embodiments, the inserts can be molded or cast as a part of the module bodies themselves, defining the passage and slots for the loopers or hooks, and can be coated or treated with a hard metal coating such as a carbide or other substantially wear resistant coating. In such instances, the gauge parts can be provided in sets with their gauge modules, and can be replaced as a set by removal and replacement or substitution of the gauge modules and gauge parts as a unit. In other embodiments, the inserts can be substantially engaged or locked to their modules with a limited ability to detach or remove one or more of the inserts as needed for serviceability.

(36) As additionally indicated in FIGS. 4 and 6A-6B, the inserts further generally will include a series of slots or slits 95 arranged in spaced series along the body 86 of each insert along a rear portion 88 thereof. Each of the slots 95 generally will be sized or configured to receive a gauge part 32, such as a hook or looper 50, as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5, therein. The slots 95 of the inserts also generally will be arranged at a selected spacing, such as a gauge spacing for the gauge parts, and with each slot 95 of the first inserts 85A being generally aligned with a corresponding or associated one of the slots 95 of the second inserts 85B as indicated in FIG. 6A. The aligned, corresponding or associated slots of each insert will receive at least a portion of the body of each of the gauge parts received therein, e.g., portions of the front 55A and rear 55B edges of the body 55 of each looper or hook 50, and with the inserts defining contact areas 98 of a reduced or minimized area or profile between the gauge module and the loopers or hooks.

(37) In addition, as indicated in, for example, FIG. 6A, the ends 96 of the slots 95 further can be formed with a substantially flattened or slightly bowed or arcuate configuration, so as to define a seat 97 against which the first and second edges of each of the loopers or hooks received in each slot can be located, and can bear against, for mounting of the loopers or hooks within the inserts and thereafter securing the inserts, with the loopers or hooks received therein to each gauge module. The slots of the inserts will guide the loopers or hooks as the loopers or hooks are extended or retracted or otherwise moved through the passage of their gauge module, and will help maintain the alignment of the loopers or hooks, and thus the throats and bills thereof with respect to the needles such as needles are reciprocated into and out of the backing material and are engaged by the loopers or hooks.

(38) In another embodiment, the inserts 85 each can include an insert body 86 having a first, top or upper portion and a second, lower or bottom portion, and with an intermediate section extending therebetween and connecting the first and second portions of the body of each insert. At least one of the upper and/or lower portions of the body of each insert further can be formed as a tab or flange that extends either forwardly or rearwardly, from the intermediate section and the passage of the gauge module body, generally overlying and engaging the upper and lower surfaces 83/82 of the module body to help locate and fix each insert within the passage of its gauge module. The first and second inserts 85A/85B thus can have a substantially unitary construction, including upper and lower portions with their slots extending through their upper and lower sections and along the intermediate body sections, enabling further engagement and guiding of at least a portion of the first and second edges of the loopers or hooks. In embodiments, the inserts of such a construction can be molded or cast so as to have a substantially unitary body, which can enable a reduction of parts, reducing the need for separate inserts on the upper and lower surfaces of the module body and along opposite sides of the passage thereof, while increasing the points/area of contact between the inserts and the loopers or hooks for enhanced consistency and/or control of the movement.

(39) Alternatively, first, second and intermediate body sections of each insert can be formed as separate components and mounted together along the passage of the module body. For example, in still further embodiments, an intermediate guide or bearing plate also can be used to help guide movement of the loopers or hooks, with the guide or bearing plate extending along the passage between inserts located along the upper and lower surfaces of the module body. Such a guide or bearing plate can provide a body or surface along which the first and second or front and rear edges of the loopers or hooks can ride/slide as they are moved along the passage of the module body. The guide or bearing plate also can act as a connecting member or section between the inserts or each pair or set of inserts 85A and/or 85B. Such a guide or bearing plate can be formed from a similar high hardness material (e.g. a hardened metal or carbide or powdered metal or other high hardness material) to provide a hardened surface against which one or both of the edges of the loopers or hooks can slide; or, in some cases, can act as a sacrificial plate that can be easily replaceable and protects the module body along the sides of the passage.

(40) During operation of a tufting machine such as disclosed in embodiments of the present disclosure, the loopers, hooks, or other gauge parts are moved in multiple directions, including being reciprocated into and out of engagement with the needles, while also being moved in a second direction through their gauge modules or gauge blocks, e.g. being moved vertically between raised positions to engage the needles and lowered, positions, including being moved to no-sew positions, as well as, in some operations, being moved after a loop of yarn has been picked from a needle, such as to form extended or longer length loops. This tufting machine thus enables the formation of highly detailed tufted patterns that can include varying pile heights and other sculptured and multi-color pattern effects. However, such repeated cyclical movements of the gauge parts causes significantly rapid wearing of the gauge parts and particularly their gauge modules as the loopers, hooks or other gauge parts slide and their edges frictionally engage the bodies of their modules. As these parts wear, their ability to engage their needles and form loops of yarns to create tufted patterns with a substantially high degree of precision can be diminished. For example, the gauge parts can become misaligned, and/or may not engage the needles properly or with the desired level of precision, requiring more frequent replacement of the gauge parts/gauge modules.

(41) The use of metals (such as high hardness heat treated steels), metal carbides, ceramics, and/or other hardened metal materials, including powdered metals including tungsten, titanium or other, similar high hardness materials, which provides the inserts with a hardness of at least 75+RC or greater, and the configuration of the inserts defining contact areas 98 between the loopers or hooks and the gauge modules with a minimized area or profile, substantially increases the wear life to the gauge modules and the loopers or hooks. The high hardness of the inserts protects the gauge modules from direct contact with and rapid wearing as the loopers or hooks are cycled therethrough, while the reduced size of the contact areas 98 defined by the inserts are configured to reduce frictional engagement of the inserts with the loopers or hooks, while substantially consistently guiding and maintaining the alignment of the loopers or hooks during such movement. The loopers or hooks also generally will be pre-hardened or heat treated so as to harden the looper or hook bodies; and in some embodiments, the surfaces of the looper or hook bodies can be coated, treated or bonded with a reduced friction material to help reduce friction between their edges 55A/55B that engage and slide along the slots of the inserts, and thus help increase wear life thereof. For example, in some applications, the wear life of the loopers or hooks has been found to exceed upwards of 50 million to 100 million machine cycles, and in some embodiments, between at least about 100 million to 500 million cycles or greater.

(42) The increased hardness of the inserts protects the gauge modules and enables the gauge modules to be formed from substantially lighter weight and lower hardness materials such as mild steels, aluminum, or alloys thereof. For example, instead of requiring the gauge modules to be formed from substantially high hardness materials such as tungsten, and/or be substantially heat treated to try to significantly increase the hardness thereof, the gauge modules can be cast, molded or otherwise formed from lightweight metals, composites or other, similar materials with hardness's that can be substantially lower than that of the inserts (e.g. the bodies of the gauge modules can be formed from mild steels or aluminum alloys with a hardness less than about 60 RC) which helps reduce weight and cost of the overall gauge part assembly without reducing operational cycle performance. Such a reduction in weight of the gauge modules or blocks further can provide enhanced control of the movement of the loopers through the passage of their gauge modules, as well as the reciprocation of the loopers or hooks toward and away from the needles, e.g. by reducing inertia that may need to be overcome during the reciprocation of the loopers or hooks toward and away from the needles.

(43) FIGS. 7A-9B illustrate various non-limiting embodiments of gates or connectors 67 that can be used with the gauge parts, such as the loopers or hooks 50 (FIG. 4) for linking the gauge parts to their associated actuators 68 (FIGS. 2-3). It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art, that the connectors or gates illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 7A-9B are not limited to use with a particular tufting type of machine or with particular types of gauge parts, and can be used with a variety of different types of gauge parts, including the loopers or hooks 50 such as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6B, and FIGS. 10A-11C, as well as for use with various other types of gauge parts, such as arrangements of level cut loop loopers or hooks and/or other gauge parts.

(44) As generally illustrated in FIGS. 7A-9B, the connectors or gates 67 generally will each include a housing or support structure 101 within which a linkage or connector arm 102 can be substantially contained, encased or housed. The housing 101 of each connectors or gate generally can include a first, or proximal portion 103, an intermediate portion 104, and a second or distal portion 106. In addition, each connector body further will include a passage or channel 107 defined therethrough, and along which the linkage or connector arm 102 will be received and can move. The housing 101 of each connector 67 generally can be formed from a lightweight, durable material, such as a composite, plastic, or synthetic material, or combinations thereof. For example, a composite or polymer material such as a nylon, polyamide, paramide nylon, or other, similar polymer material, can be used, and can be mixed or provided with or otherwise include a fibrous fill material, such as carbon fiber, a glass fiber, or other supporting fibers that can additionally provide reinforcement to the housing body material. The material of the bodies of the housings further can be adapted or selected to provide not only a reduced weight, such as to help reduce inertia during starting/stopping and movement, e.g. extension and/or retraction of the gauge parts by their associated actuators, but also to provide elasticity and shock reduction or dampening or cushioning effect during such movements and starting/stopping operations.

(45) As indicated in FIGS. 7A-9B, in some embodiments, the housing 101 of each of the connectors can be over-molded over its linkage or connector arm 102, or can be formed in sections and applied about the linkage or connector arm such that its linkage or connector arm is substantially enclosed or contained therein. The linkage or connector on 102 further can be made from a metal such as steel or other, similar high strength material, selected to provide high strength and rigidity sufficient to enable each linkage or connector arm to withstand repeated shocks and increased movement cycles during operation of the tufting machine. For example, and without limitation, the linkages or connector arms 102 can comprise a hardened steel material, and in some cases, can further be heat treated or annealed, such as at the ends thereof, at areas of contact and/or engagement with the loopers or hooks, and between the connector arm or linkage and the drive shaft or rod of its associated actuator or actuators.

(46) In some embodiments, the linkage or connector arm 102 further can include a skeletonized metal body configured to enable a reduction of the weight thereof. In such embodiments, each connector or gate housing 101 can provide further support and rigidity to the linkage or connector arm 102, helping to guide and maintain a consistent reciprocating movement or motion thereof during operations. As a result, the connectors or gates 67 can provide a more economical connector or gate design, enabling linkages or connector arms having a skeletonized or reduced profile and lighter weight to be used with additional support and impact elasticity and dampening effects provided by the housings 101 applied over and/or encasing or encapsulating the linkages or connector arms.

(47) As further illustrated in FIGS. 7A-9B, each of the connectors or gates 67 can be formed with varying sizes and configurations. For example, the intermediate sections of each connector housing can have shorter or longer spans depending on a gauge, distance, length of travel or the length of the linkage or connector arm, and thus can be varied for different tufting machines and/or tufting applications. By way of example only, as indicated in FIGS. 7B, 8B and 9B, the connectors or gates can comprise varying configurations for use with different gauge tufting machines, such as ⅛th gauge or 1/10th gauge machines, though it will be understood that other gauges ( 5/16th, 1/16th, 1/12th, 1/14, etc.) and/or type machines also can be used. The intermediate section of the housing through each connector further can be oriented at an angle, in some cases being oriented at a downwardly extending angle, while in other cases being oriented at an upwardly extending angle, with adjacent connectors at the opposite angle orientations or configurations to minimize space or footprint taken up thereby.

(48) The linkage or connector arm 102 (FIGS. 7A, 8A, 9A) of each connector or gate 67 further can be formed in varying lengths as needed or desired. Each linkage generally will have a first or proximal end 110, which can be adapted or configured to engage or connect to one or more actuator shafts or drives rod 68 of an associated actuator or actuators, with a generally angled body section or portion 111 that extends along the passage or channel of the housing, through the housing of the connector, and terminating at a distal, flanged or hooked end 112. The body portion 111 of each linkage further will be located and/or aligned within the passage of its housing and enclosed therewithin to help provide stability and/or to help guide movement of the linkage along the channel of its connector housing.

(49) For example, in some instances, pins or other inserts can be used during formation of the housings about or over their linkages to align and support the linkages in position, which pins can be removed thereafter. Alternatively, some guide pins can be provided to help maintain and guide movement along one or more portions of the linkage or connector arm, including or acting as bearings. Still further, in some other embodiments, a slot also can be provided along the body of each housing, through which a guide pin can be received to help guide movement of the linkage and can further help provide further impact elasticity.

(50) In additional embodiments, a guide pin or fastener 114A can be inserted through the housing and into the body of the linkage, and can engage a slot or guideway, or similar means for helping guide and control or maintain the movement of the linkage along the passage or channel 107 (FIGS. 7B, 8B and 9B) of its connector housing without twisting or turning or otherwise becoming misaligned. In still other embodiments, the guide pin 114A can act as a pivot point about which the linkage or connector arm can be moved or pivoted rather than being moved in a substantially linear movement.

(51) As further indicated in FIGS. 7A, 8A and 8B, the distal hooked end 112 of each of linkage or connector arm 102 can be supported along at least one side thereof by the second or distal end 106 of its connector housing 101, to help guide and support the hooked end during the sliding movement of the linkage. The hooked end of the linkage or connector arm will engage the corresponding hooked portion, recess or slot of a corresponding gauge part; for example, in embodiments, engaging the slot or recess 64 (FIG. 5) formed in the first portion 60 or distal end of a corresponding or associated one of the loopers or hooks 50. In other embodiments, the hooked end of the linkage can engage a clip for a level cut looper, a level cut looped looper, or other movable gauge part. As each actuator is selectively fired or activated/deactivated, the movement of its actuator shaft or drive rod will be translated to an associated one of the gauge parts via the linkage or connector arm of its corresponding connector or gate The connectors or gates thus can provide an economical, rigid and high strength connection between each of the actuators and their associated gauge parts, with the gauge parts being removable or changeable, as needed, without having to replace the actuators associated therewith.

(52) In one embodiment, as generally illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 11A-11C, the actuators can comprise hydraulic, air, electric, or pneumatic cylinders 68, each including a cylinder rod or shaft 69 that generally will be connected to an associated or corresponding one of the loopers or hooks by a connector or gate 67. In some embodiments, the actuators further could be used to control operation of more than one looper or hook 50. In addition, other types of actuators, including solenoids, motors or other, similar actuating mechanisms, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, also can be used.

(53) Each of the actuators generally will be linked to the control system 25, which will selectively control the actuation thereof so as to control the firing and/or movement of each of the loopers with respect to the needles. The actuators will be controlled to selectively extend and retract their loopers or hooks so that the position of their throats/bills can be varied in a second direction with respect to the reciprocation of the needles into and out of the backing material, and with respect to the movement of the loop loopers or hooks 50 in the direction of arrows 54/54′. For example, in embodiments, the loopers or hooks will be moved in a substantially vertical (i.e., a generally up and down) movement with respect to the needles, as illustrated by arrows 71 and 71′ in FIGS. 2, 4A and 5A-5C, as the loopers or hooks are reciprocated in the direction of arrows 54 and 54′ toward and away from the needles 36. The actuators can be controlled to not only extend and retract the loopers or hooks between extended and/or no-sew positions, but further can be selectively controlled so as to extend and/or retract the loopers to a series of varying positions or elevations with respect to the stroke or depth of penetration of the needles. Thus, the position or location of the throats of the loopers or hooks with respect to the needles can be controlled and varied so as to cause the pick-up and/or formation of loops of yarns from selected ones of the needles at varying pile heights or lengths, or no pick-up of yarns, such as indicated in FIGS. 11A-11C.

(54) For example, in a fully extended position, selected ones of the loopers or hooks 50 can pick up loops of yarns from the needles engaged thereby, which loops generally can be formed with a first selected or desired pile height, whereas other ones of the loopers or hooks can be extended or retracted to positions or locations between fully extended and retracted positions so as to pick up and form loops of yarns with second or other, differing lengths or pile heights. Some of the loopers or hooks also can be moved to a fully lowered or retracted position by their actuators so as to place them in a no-sew position whereby the throats/bills of such loopers or hooks are located below a full penetration depth or end of stroke of the needles and thus will not pick up loops of yarns from their corresponding or respective needles. In other operations, the actuators can be selectively controlled or triggered to retract or lower their respective loopers or hooks after a loop of yarn has been captured thereon, so as to pull such captured loops of yarns lower, to elongate or create higher pile or increased length yarns for additional patterning effects, such as for tip shearing and/or other texturing effects.

(55) As indicated in FIGS. 10A-10B, each of the gauge parts 32, such as loopers or hooks 50 generally can be arranged in sets or groups each contained in a module 51 with the modules mounted in series along the gauge bar to provide a plurality of gauge parts arranged at a prescribed spacing (e.g., a gauge spacing such as 1/10th, ⅛th, 5/16th, etc.) across the tufting zone. The gauge parts 32 will be positioned so as to engage the needles, including being arranged in a substantially in-line, offset, staggered, and/or other configuration as needed depending upon the configurations of the needles of the needle bar or needle bars (for example, if the needles are arranged in an in-line, staggered and/or other arrangements along a single or dual needle bars). Each of the loopers or hooks 50 further can be arranged at an angle or offset with respect to the needles penetrating the backing so as to move or be extensible/retractable along an angled path of travel 71/71′ with respect to the needles and/or the take-off point thereof. Such an offset movement of the loopers or hooks additionally can be varied as needed to minimize potential engagement of the loopers or hooks by the needles as the loopers are being retracted, depending upon spacing and/or arrangement of needles.

(56) For example, in some embodiments, the loopers or hooks can be arranged and/or moved along a path of travel at an angle/offset, indicated at θ in FIG. 10B, that can range from approximately 1° to approximately 10° or more from the vertical and/or with respect to the stroke of the needles when the loopers or hooks are retracted, and one example embodiment at an angle of approximately 4° to 6° with respect to the path or direction of reciprocation of the needles, as the needles complete their stroke or reciprocation into and out of the backing; while in other embodiments, substantially no offset, i.e., an approximately 0° angle with respect to the needles, can be provided between the loopers or hooks and needles. Thus, as the loopers or hooks are extended to positions/elevations sufficient to engage the take-off areas 39 (FIGS. 10A-11A) of the needles, the throats/bills thereof generally will be properly aligned or positioned to engage and pick-up loops of yarns from their corresponding needles. As the loopers or hooks are retracted, they generally can further be moved along an offset path of travel so that their throats/bills can be placed or located at positions out of the path of travel of the needles to minimize potential inadvertent yarn pick-up when the loopers or hooks are being moved to and/or are in retracted, no-sew positions.

(57) In operation, according to some embodiments, tufted articles can be formed according to the system and method of the present disclosure, which tufted articles can be formed with various patterns and pattern effects, including the use of multiple different color and/or type yarns for forming such patterns, as well as including sculptured or multiple pile height effects. For example, the system and method of the present disclosure can be operated in conjunction with a stitch distribution control system or yarn color placement system such as disclosed and illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,141.505, 8,359,989 and 8,776,703, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.

(58) In such embodiments, the stitches or tufts of yarns being formed in the backing material further can be formed at an increased or higher actual operative or effective process stitch rate as compared to the fabric or pattern stitch rate that is desired or prescribed for the tufted pattern being formed. If the pattern or fabric stitch rate or density of a pattern being formed calls for the tufted article to have an appearance of 8, 10, 12, etc., stitches per inch formed therein, and/or which are to be shown on its face, the actual, operative or effective number of stitches per inch formed during operation of the tufting machine will be substantially greater than the desired or prescribed pattern or fabric stitch rate. Thus, the actual formation of stitches or tufts of yarns in the backing material will be accomplished at an increased actual, operative or effective process stitch rate, whereby effectively, a greater number of stitches per inch than will be required to be shown in the finished pattern will be formed in the backing material, with those stitches or face yaws that are not desired to be shown or remaining in the face of the pattern field or area being sewn being back-robbed or pulled out of the backing material, or pulled sufficiently low to an extent to enable such yaws to be held or tacked in the backing while substantially avoiding creation of undesired or unnecessary gaps or spaces between the retained or face yarns of the pattern (i.e., the tufts of yarns that are to remain visible or appear in the finished pattern of the tufted article).

(59) For purposes of illustration, in one example embodiment, the effective process stitch rate can be based upon or determined by increasing the fabric or pattern stitch rate of the pattern being formed approximately by a number of colors selected or being tufted in the pattern. For a pattern having a desired fabric or pattern stitch rate of about 10-12 stitches per inch, and which uses between 2-4 colors, the effective or operative process stitch rate (i.e., the rate at which stitches are actually formed in the backing material) can be approximately 18-20 stitches per inch up to approximately 40 or more stitches per inch. However, it further will be understood by those skilled in the art that additional variations of or adjustments to such an operative or effective process stitch rate run for a particular pattern can be made, depending upon yarn types and/or sizes and/or other factors. For example, if thicker, larger size or heavier yarns are used, the effective process stitch rate may be subject to additional variations as needed to account for the use of such larger yarns (e.g., for 4 color patterns, the effective process stitch rate can further vary, such as being run at about 25-38 stitches per inch, though further variations can be used as needed). Thus, where a selected or programmed pattern being run may be designed or desired to have ten to twelve stitches per inch as a desired pattern density or stitch rate therefor, the system may actually operate to form upwards of twenty to forty-eight or more stitches per inch, depending on the number of colors and/or types of yarns, even though visually, from the face of the finished tufted article, only the desired/selected ten to twelve stitches generally will appear.

(60) Additionally, where a series of different colors are being tufted, the needles 36 of the needle bar 35 generally will be provided with a desired thread up, for example, for a four-color pattern an A, B, C, D thread up can be used for the needles. Alternatively, where 2 needle bars are used, the needles of each needle bar can be provided with alternating thread up sequences, i.e., an A/C thread up on the front needle bar, with the rear needle bar threaded with a B/D color thread up. In addition, the needles of such front and rear needle bars can be arranged in a staggered or offset alignment. The needle bar or needle bars further generally will be shifted by control of the needle bar shifter 40 (FIG. 2) in accordance with a shift profile for the pattern being formed, in conjunction with the control of the backing material and control of the yarn feed so as to effectively present each one of the colors (i.e., 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) of yarns or each different type of yarn that could be sewn at a selected pattern pixel or tuft/stitch location to the looper or hook by shifting of the needle bar transversely with respect to the backing material as the backing material is fed through the tufting zone.

(61) For example, for a four color pattern, each of the one-four colors that can be sewn at a next pixel or stitch location, i.e., one, two, three, four, or no yarns can be presented at a selected pixel or stitch location, will be presented to a desired looper or hook as the backing material is moved incrementally approximately ⅛th- 1/40th of an inch per each shift motion or cam movement cycle. The loopers or hooks will engage and form loops of yarns, with a desired yarn or yarns being retained for forming a selected tuft, while the remaining yarns generally can be pulled low or back-robbed by control of the yarn feed mechanism(s), including pulling these non-retained yarns pulled out of the backing material so as to float along the backing material. Accordingly, each looper or hook is given the ability to tuft any one, or potentially more than one (i.e., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.,) of the colors of the pattern, or possibly none of the colors presented to it, for each pattern pixel or tuft/stitch location associated therewith during each shift sequence and corresponding incremental movement of the backing material. As noted, if none of the different type or color yarns is to be tufted or placed at a particular tuft or stitch location or pixel, the yarn feed can be controlled to limit or otherwise control the yarns of the needles that could be presented at such stitch location or pixel to substantially pull back all of the yarns or otherwise prevent such yarns from being placed or appearing at that stitch location, and/or the needle bar additionally could be controlled so as to jump or otherwise bypass or skip presentation of the needles/yarns to that stitch location or pixel.

(62) The feeding of the backing material B further can be controlled, i.e., by the stitch distribution control system in a variety of ways. For example, the tufting machine backing rolls 28 can be controlled to hold the backing material in place for a determined number of stitches or cycles of the needle bar, or can move the backing material at a desired number of stitches per inch, i.e., move about 1/40th of an inch for each penetration, or variations thereof so as to move about 1/10th of an inch as four stitches are introduced in the backing for a pattern with four colors and an effective stitch rate of 40 stitches per inch. The movement of the backing material further can be varied or manipulated on a stitch-by-stitch or pixel basis with the average movement of all the stitches over a cycle substantially matching the calculated incremental movement of the operative or effective process stitch rate. For example, for a 4-color cycle, a first stitch can be run at 1/80th of an inch, the next two at 1/40th of an inch, and the fourth at 1/20th of an inch, with the average movement of the backing over the entire 4-stitch cycle averaging 1/40th of an inch for each stitch presented, as needed, to achieve a desired stitch/color placement.

(63) Each different yarn/color yarn that can be tufted at a particular stitch location or pixel thus can be presented to such stitch locations or pixels as the pattern is formed in the backing material. To accomplish such presentation of yarns at each pixel or stitch location, the needle bar(s) generally can be shifted as needed/desired per the calculated or selected cam profile or shift profile of the pattern to be run/formed, for example, using a combination of single and/or double jumps or shifts, based on the number of colors being run in the pattern and the area of the pattern field being formed by each specific color. Such a combination of single and double shift jumps or steps can be utilized to avoid over-tufting or engaging previously sewn tufts as the needle bar is shifted transversely and the backing material is advanced at its effective or operative stitch rate. The backing also can be shifted by backing or jute shifters, etc., either in conjunction with or separately from the needle bar shifting mechanism.

(64) As the needles penetrate the backing B, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the loopers or hooks 50 of the gauge part assembly 30 will be reciprocated toward the needles, in the direction of arrow 54 so as to engage and pick or pull loops of yarns from their associated or corresponding needles. In addition, the actuators 66 for the loopers or hooks can be selectively controlled and engaged so as to cause selected ones of the loopers or hooks to be extended or retracted so that the bills 63 and throat portions 62 thereof are located at a desired position with respect to the needles as the needles 36 penetrate and complete their stroke into and out of the backing. As indicated in FIGS. 10A-11C, the location or positioning of the bills and/or throat portions of the loopers or hooks can be varied between a fully extended position or elevation and a lowered or retracted, “no-sew” position at which loops of yarns generally can be substantially prevented from being picked up and/or formed by such loopers or hooks to provide a selective pick-up of loops of yarns, including no loop(s) of yarns being picked up, and control of the lengths of the loops of yarns that are selectively picked up from the yarns presented at each of the stitch locations or pixels in accordance with the instructions for the pattern being formed. As a result, the locations at which the loops of the selected or desired face yarns to be shown in the “finished” pattern are picked up from the needles by the loopers or hooks can be controlled, with the formation of the resultant tufts from such picked up loops of yarns remaining within the backing further being controlled so as to be able to be formed at a variety of different pile heights.

(65) The type/color of yarn of each series of yarns being presented at each pixel or stitch location that is to be retained or shown on the face of the backing at a particular stitch location generally will be determined according to the pattern instructions or programming for the formation of the tufted pattern. Controlling the activation and/or positioning of the loopers or hooks 50 corresponding to or associated with the needles carrying such yarns can enable the tufting machine to selectively pick-up and retain a loop of that yarn at each stitch location at which such yarns are to remain in accordance with the pattern, so as to form a resultant tuft of such a yarn at a selected pile height. For example, if the presented yarn is not to be shown or appear, the corresponding looper or hook can be retracted to a no-sew position so that a loop of yarn is not picked-up, and the yarn feed therefor controlled so that such a yarn is not retained at the pixel or stitch location. For the retained yarns/colors, i.e., the yarns appearing on the face of the patterned tufted article, the positions or elevations of the loopers or hooks and the yarn feed mechanisms feeding these yarns generally can be cooperatively controlled so as to enable pick-up and formation of loops of such yarns sufficient to form tufts of a desired type and pile height.

(66) The further control of the backing feed at an increased effective or operative process stitch rate (e.g., the actual rate at which stitches are formed in the backing) in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure further provides for a denser or compressed field of stitches or tufts per inch, so that the yarns being back-robbed are removed or pulsed low to an extent sufficient to avoid creation of undesired spaces or gaps between the retained face yarns (those appearing on the face of the tufted article according to the pattern) or interfering with or showing through such retained face yarns formed in the backing material. Additionally, the control system can perform yarn feed compensation and/or modeling of the yarn feed to help control and reduce the amount of non-retained or non-appearing yarns that may be “floating” on the back side of the backing material to further help reduce/minimize excess yarn feed and/or waste.

(67) In addition, the yarn feed mechanisms controlling the feeding of each of the yarns to each of the needles can be selectively controlled to back-rob or pull the yarns carried by the needles substantially out of the backing material or with the reciprocation of the needles; and can retract or pull back/low some loops of yarns to a position substantially low enough to generally avoid such non-selected ends of yarns occupying a selected stitch location, or otherwise interfering with the placement of a selected face yarn or yarn to be shown in a particular color field being formed according to the pattern.

(68) For example, in some embodiments, when selected or particular loopers or hooks are retracted to a fully retracted position or “no sew” position, no loop generally will be picked up from the needles associated with such fully retracted loopers or hooks, while the yarn feed is correspondingly controlled so that the yarns are allowed to move with their needles into and back out of the backing material. In addition, in some instances where loops of yarns are formed, such as when the loopers or hooks are at a fully extended position and form low loops, the resultant formed loops of yarns further can be back-robbed or pulled substantially low or out of the backing material by control of the yarn feed thereof to an extent so as to leave an amount of yarn engaged with or “tacked” to the backing, while substantially removing such yarns to an extent so that such non-selected ends of yarns generally will not interfere with the placement of a face appearing or selected yarn at a particular stitch location within the color field being sewn.

(69) The placement of the non-appearing yarns being tacked or otherwise secured to the backing material also can be controlled to prevent the formation of such extended length tails that can later become caught or cause other defects in the finished tufted article. For example, the control system also can be programmed/set to tack or form low stitches of such non-appearing yarns at desired intervals, e.g., every 1 inch to 1.5 inches, although greater or lesser intervals also can be used. Yarn compensation also generally can be used to help ensure that a sufficient amount of yarns is fed when needed to enable the non-appearing yarns to be tacked into the backing material, while preventing the yarns from showing or bubbling up through another color, i.e., with the yarns being tacked into and projecting through one of the stitch yarns with several yarns being placed together. Additionally, where extended lengths or tails would be formed for multiple non-appearing yarns, the intervals at which such different yarns are tacked within the backing material can be varied (i.e., one at 1″, another at 1.5″, etc.,) so as to avoid such tacked yarns interfering with one another and/or the yarns of the color field being formed.

(70) Still further, the actuators 66 also can be controlled, in conjunction with the control of the yarn feed mechanisms, to cause the formation of extended or elongated loops of yarns, such as by being engaged and retracting or lowering their respective loopers or hooks with a loop of yarn captured thereon. The captured loops of yarns thus can be further pulled and/or elongated, while the corresponding yarn feed also can be controlled for feeding of additional amounts of such yarns. As a result, even longer or greater length loops of yarns can be formed in the backing so as to create higher pile tufts and/or for creating other desired pattern effects, such as for tip shearing and/or other patterning features. The selective control of the actuators 66 for selectively retracting and extending their loopers or hooks 50 further can be used to provide additional variation or transitioning steps or pile heights within a pattern, for example, being controlled as needed to provide more gradual or subtle differences or changes in pile heights, or for providing more dramatic or defined separations between pile heights of the tufts of yarns being formed.

(71) Accordingly, across the width of the tufting machine, the control system will control the shifting and feeding of the yarns of each color or desired pattern texture effect so that each color that can or may be sewn at a particular tuft location or pattern pixel will be presented within that pattern pixel space or tuft location for sewing, but only the selected yarn tufts for a particular color or pattern texture effect will remain in that tuft/stitch location or pattern pixel. As further noted, it is also possible to present additional or more colors to each of the loopers or hooks during a tufting step in order to form mixed color tufts or to provide a tweed effect as desired, wherein two or more stitches or yarn will be placed at desire pattern pixel or tuft location. The results of the operation of the stitch distribution control system accordingly provide a multi-color visual effect of pattern color or texture effects that are selectively placed in order to get the desired density and pattern appearance for the finished tufted article. This further enables the creation of a wider variety of geometric, free flowing and other pattern effects by control of the placement of the tufts or yarns at selected pattern pixels or tuft locations.

(72) The system and method for tufting sculptured and multiple pile height patterns articles of the present disclosure thus can enable an operator to develop and run a variety of tufted patterns having a variety of looks, textures, etc., at the tufting machine without necessarily having to utilize a design center to draw out and create the pattern. Instead, with the present disclosure, in addition to and/or as an alternative to manually preparing patterns or using a design center, the operator can scan an image (i.e., a photograph, drawing, jpeg, etc.,) or upload a designed pattern file at the tufting machine and the stitch distribution control system can read the image and develop the program steps or parameters to thereafter control the tufting machine substantially without further operator input or control necessarily required to form the desired tufted patterned article.

(73) The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present disclosure. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-discussed construction of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as disclosed herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as being illustrative, and not to be taken in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the present disclosure as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.