Fluke Corporation

Tapistron International, Inc.

Michael J Black

Keith S Willows

William Peter Stiles

Sean E Gorman

David L Davis

Milton R Sigelmann

Patrick M Gallagher

Richard A Dolf

John M Havard

An apparatus for tufting yarn in a backing comprising a yarn applicator for penetrating the backing and implanting the yarn therein and an electric motor for supplying a predetermined length of the yarn to the yarn applicator. The electric motor is operable to selectively advance the predetermined length of yarn to the yarn applicator, and alternatively, hold the yarn or retract the yarn from the applicator. Desirably, the electric motor is a stepper motor, and more desirably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of stepper motors for selectively feeding yarns to a row of reciprocable hollow tufting needles for producing a patterned tufted product. According to one aspect, the tufting apparatus composes a modular supply system and a corresponding modular control system. Pattern information and timing signals are sent to modular yarn control units by a remote process control computer system. According to another aspect, an apparatus for tufting yarn in a backing is provided wherein a flexible yarn supply tube extends from the outlet of a stationary manifold to the inlet of a reciprocable needle mount for a hollow tufting needle, so that during reciprocation of the needle, yarn does not move relative to a yarn feed path due to the reciprocation of the needle. This allows for yarn to be fed to the needle during the entire needle reciprocation cycle. A yarn movement monitoring apparatus, a yarn movement managing apparatus, a needle assembly for tufting yarn in a backing, and a knife assembly for mounting to a frame and cutting yarn implanted into a backing by a hollow needle are also encompassed.

Apparatus and method for producing patterned tufted goods

An environmentally sealed electronic test instrument having a three-part case enclosing an electronic testing circuit of conventional design. The three parts are open-ended top and bottom parts, and an end part covering the open ends of the top and bottom parts. The top and bottom parts have adjoining sidewalls between which is positioned a first resilient seal. Respective inwardly extending flanges are formed at the open ends of the top and bottom parts. The flanges are received by a second, U-shaped seal that is, in turn, received by a U-shaped channel formed along a marginal edge of the end plate. A pair of fingers integrally formed in the second gasket project into the U-shaped channel and are positioned between the first seal and top part of the case. The side marginal edge of the bottom part of the case are recessed within the sidewall of the top part of the case to enclose the first gasket.

Environmental sealing system for electronic instruments

A zero insertion force receptacle for a battery powered device including a battery storage area having a pair of parallel battery cradles. A pair of stationary contacts are positioned at the first end of the cradles and a pivotable connector is positioned at the second end of the cradles. The pivotable connector includes a pair of actuator arms which are engaged by a shoulder on a removable cover as the cover is closed. The shoulder displaces the actuator arms and causes the pivotable connector to rotate about a pair of pivot pins to bring a pair of contact arms into engagement with the batteries. As the closing of the cover increases, the actuator arms are pivoted further about the pivot pins to increase the force between the contact arms and the batteries. In the preferred embodiment, the actuator arms are linked to the contact arms by spring sections. Because the pivotable connector includes a conductive path between the contact arms, the pivotable connector forms an electrical connection between the batteries.

Zero insertion force battery receptacle

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Michael J Black