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:
Jan. 18, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1997
Brian K Lovelady, Soddy-Daisy, TN (US);
Tuftco Corporation, Chattanooga, TN (US);
Abstract
A tufting machine with two rows of needles may be mounted staggered relative to each other on a single needle bar is provided with a single row of loopers cooperable with either or both rows of needles. The rows of needles are longitudinally spaced by a relatively narrow distance. Hollow ground loopers are used in conjunction with maximum target area needles and a needle plate with a serrated edge rather than needle plate fingers, to improve the operation of the tufting machine, particularly when the rows of needles are spaced transversely at a relatively fine gauge. This permits the efficient operation of a fine gauge tufting machine in which rows of needles can be shifted in distances of the composite needle gauge thereby improving finish, reducing backstitch yarn, increasing machine speed, and even reducing wasted face yarn when used with fixed yarn feed mechanisms.