The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 21, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 01, 1998
Todd M St Jacques, Adams, MA (US);
Morrison Berkshire, Inc., North Adams, MA (US);
Abstract
A needle board storage apparatus is used for the removal, storage, and transport of needle boards during replacement in a needle loom. The apparatus includes a two stage magazine designed to accommodate two full compliments of needle boards for any needle zone in a given needle loom. One stage of the magazine provides independent storage for spent needle boards as they are removed from the needle loom, while the other stage contains replacement needle boards that will later be loaded into the loom. An assembly allows the entire magazine to be moved from a first stage position for unloading spent needle boards to a second stage position for loading replacement needle boards. Needle board receiver openings on the magazine in registration with each stage are positioned at the exact height of the needle zones of the needle loom so the operator can roll the needle boards directly to or from the loom into the magazine with minimal or no handling in-between. A mechanism allows the operator to index needle board positions inside each stage of the magazine providing vacancies for spent needle boards as they are removed from the loom (or exposing replacement boards for loading into the loom).