Needle loom

Abstract

 A needle frame comprises at least one forming apparatus (3) for a textile product (P). The apparatus (3) has first devices (P1) designed to intercept a plurality of warp threads (O) fed to a bearing plate (4) for formation of the textile product (P), second devices (P2) designed to intercept at least one weft thread (T) fed to the bearing plate (4), at least one sickle (11) to carry the weft thread (T) transversely of the warp threads (O), third devices (P3) designed to temporarily retain the weft thread (T) carried by the sickle (11), and a reed (20) for compacting the weft thread (T) against the already formed textile product (P). There are dedicated fluid-operated or electromechanical actuators (21) and they are operatively connected to each of the first devices (P1) and/or each of the second devices (P2) and/or the sickle (11) and/or each of the third devices (P3) and/or the reed (20) to move the first devices (P1) and/or the second devices (P2) and/or the sickle (11) and/or the third devices (P3) and/or the reed (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a needle loom.

[0002] In textile machines, fabric formation takes place by mutual interlacing of a plurality of warp and weft threads suitably engaged by respective weaving members.

[0003] It is known that textile machines referred to as needle looms comprise one or more forming apparatus for the textile product at which interlacing occurs between the warp threads coming from respective beams installed on a rack referred to as "creel", and the weft threads unwound from respective bobbins mounted on a creel dedicated thereto and fed by suitable devices. Needle looms are used for manufacture of textile products of an indefinite length but of reduced width, in the order of few centimetres, such as ribbons, tapes, shoulder straps, etc.

[0004] Each forming apparatus substantially comprises a bearing plate defining the forming plane of the textile product, at least one pair of heddle frames that are used to alternately lift and lower the warp threads fed to the bearing plate, a sickle carrying one or more weft threads between the warp threads in a direction transverse to the warp threads themselves, a needle adapted to retain the weft threads before they are tied between the warp threads by effect of the frame motion, and a reed compacting the weft threads on the already formed textile product after each passage of the sickle. Suitable means, disposed downstream of the forming station, keep the textile product stretched and allow the same to exit the loom.

[0005] Movement of the heddle frames, sickle, reed and needle in accordance with the known art is obtained by complicated motion-transmitting mechanisms connected to the main drive shaft of the needle loom and capable of converting the periodic motion of the shaft into distinct but correlated movements of the individual elements.

[0006] Also known are needle looms provided with thread-guiding elements disposed between the reed and frames, which thread-guiding elements are adapted to lift and lower further warp threads fed towards the bearing plate, in an alternated manner and independently of each other, to enable manufacture of complicated patterns on the produced ribbon. Movement of these thread-guiding elements is known to take place by means of a complicated device of the Jacquard type mounted on an upper portion of the needle loom and connected to said thread-guiding elements by means of intermediate cables.

[0007] Also known are needle looms capable of feeding the sickle with two or more weft threads of different colours or materials, and adapted to select which of said threads is to be included in the fabric at each passage of the sickle itself. Needle looms of this type allow ribbons with multicoloured transverse stripes to be manufactured, for example. To this aim, the looms of the known art are provided with a particular guide device placed upstream of the sickle and allowing each of the weft threads to be moved in a vertical direction between an active position at which it is hooked by the sickle, and a passive position at which the sickle is not able to intercept it.

[0008] This device is located close to the bearing plate and the reed and comprises as many movable guides as the weft threads. Each guide is provided with an eye through which the weft thread passes before reaching the sickle. Each guide is vertically movable usually between a lower position, an intermediate position and an upper position. The sickle has a hook in which the weft thread is engaged when the latter is brought to the intermediate position by a movable guide while the other guides are in one of the end positions.

[0009] Also the above described movement of the guides in accordance with the known art is obtained through complicated motion-transmitting mechanisms connected to the main drive shaft of the needle loom and capable of converting the periodic motion of the shaft into distinct but correlated movements of the individual guides.

[0010] For instance, the motion-transmitting mechanisms of known type are formed of mechanical transmissions and/or magnetic actuators capable of hooking or releasing one of the guides based on the angular work step of the drive shaft.

[0011] As a consequence thereof, in most of known needle looms, the motion law of all the moving elements interacting with the weft or warp threads cannot be varied otherwise than planning the whole motion-transmitting mechanisms again.

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention aims at eliminating the above mentioned drawbacks by proposing a needle loom of simple structure.

[0013] In particular, it is an aim of the present invention to propose a needle loom enabling all the elements interacting with the weft and warp threads to be moved in a simple and precise manner.

[0014] The foregoing and other aims are substantially achieved by a needle loom comprising the features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

[0015] Description of a preferred embodiment of a needle loom is now given hereinafter by way of non-limiting example, in which:

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view with some parts removed for a better view of others, of a portion of a needle loom in accordance with the present invention;
• Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a needle loom in accordance with the present invention;
• Fig. 3 shows an element of the loom referred to in Figs. 1 and 2 to an enlarged scale; and
• Fig. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the element seen in Fig. 3;
• Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section view of an alternative embodiment of the element shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0016] With reference to the drawings, a needle loom in accordance with the present invention has been identified with reference numeral 1.

[0017] Needle loom 1 comprises a bearing structure 2 on which at least one forming apparatus 3 for a textile product "P" (depicted in detail in Fig. 1) is installed. Loom 1 can be provided with a plurality of forming apparatus 3 disposed in mutual side by side relationship along a predetermined axis, which are capable of simultaneously producing as many textile products "P".

[0018] As better shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with a diagram of known type, the forming apparatus 3 comprises a bearing plate 4 having a predetermined forming plane 5 on which the textile product "P" rests.

[0019] Upstream of the bearing plate 4, the forming apparatus 3 has first devices "P1" adapted to intercept a plurality of warp threads "O" fed to the bearing plate 4. In particular, the first devices "P1" comprise at least two heddle frames 6, preferably a plurality of heddle frames 6.

[0020] A heddle frame 6 is an element capable of lifting and lowering, in a reciprocating motion, the warp threads "O" engaged by it while they are fed to the bearing plate 4. Each heddle frame 6 comprises a plurality of heddles 7 each provided with an eye 8 through which the warp thread "O" passes. Heddles 7 are mounted on a pair of bars 6a (Fig. 1) moved with a reciprocating motion along a direction perpendicular to the forming plane 5. Each frame 6 engages a set of warp threads "O", only two of which are shown in Fig. 1, and is usually moved between two or three operating positions.

[0021] The warp threads "O" come from respective beams of known type and not shown, that are installed on a rack referred to as creel for example, and are fed by suitable means to the bearing plate 4 through the heddle frames 6. In particular, the warp threads "O" pass into the eyes 8 of the heddles 7 of frames 6 and converge towards the forming plane 5 where they are interlooped with at least one weft thread "T" to form the textile product "P" (Fig. 1).

[0022] In more detail, the warp threads "O" intercepted by a single heddle frame 6 lie in the same plane and the planes identified by the warp threads "O" of the several different heddle frames 6 intersect at the bearing plate 4.

[0023] Alternatively or in addition to the heddle frames 6, the first devices "P1" further comprise a plurality of thread-guiding elements 9 disposed upstream of the bearing plate 5 and each intersecting a respective warp thread "O". Each thread-guiding element 9 is movable independently of the others to carry out complicated patterns on the product "P", substantially in the same manner as a device of the Jacquard type. Each thread-guiding element 9 preferably has an elongated structure similar to the heddle of a heddle frame 6 and has a respective eye 10 through which a weft thread "O" passes before reaching the bearing plate 4.

[0024] Downstream of the bearing plate 4, the loom 1 is provided with suitable means of known type, not shown, to keep the already formed textile product "P" and the warp threads "O" coming from the heddle frames 6 stretched to the proper tension, thus enabling exit of same.

[0025] Apparatus 3 further comprises at least one sickle 11 alternately bringing at least two weft threads "T" transversely between the warp threads "O".

[0026] Each of the weft threads "T" is unwound from a respective bobbin mounted on a creel and is advantageously supplied to sickle 11 through feeding means (not shown) and through second devices "P2" intercepting this weft thread "T" fed to the bearing plate 4.

[0027] Preferably, the second devices "P2" comprise at least two movable guides 12 located close to the bearing plate 4. Each movable guide 12 preferably has a structure similar to the heddle 7 of a heddle frame 6. As better described in the following, it has an eye 3 through which a weft thread "T" passes before reaching sickle 11 (Fig. 1).

[0028] The movable guides 12 are each moved along a predetermined vertical direction "D" (Fig. 1) with a reciprocating motion "X-Y" preferably offset from the movement of the other movable guides 12, so as to vary the height of eyes 13 guiding the weft threads "T" and the height level of the weft threads "T" themselves.

[0029] Sickle 11 has a U-shaped arm 14 a first end 14a of which is hinged around an axis perpendicular to the predetermined forming plane 5 and a second end 14b of which is provided with a hook 16, preferably of a dovetail conformation, capable of intercepting one of the weft threads "T", to bring it into engagement with the warp threads "O" close to the bearing plate 4 (Fig. 1).

[0030] Following a scheme of known type, sickle 11 carries out an alternate rotating motion according to an arc of a circle so that hook 16 cyclically moves close to and away from the warp threads "O".

[0031] In particular, hook 16 is movable between a first position at which it lies in side by side relationship with a first side end 4a of the bearing plate 4 and a second position at which it lies in side by side relationship with a second side end 4b of the bearing plate 4.

[0032] The hook 16 of sickle 11 intercepts and brings the weft thread "T" that is positioned to a predetermined height level by the respective movable guide 11, towards the second side end 4b of the bearing plate 4, while the other weft threads "T" located at a higher or lower position are not intercepted.

[0033] To prevent the weft threads "T" that are not engaged by hook 16 from interfering with other parts of loom 1 or, taking into account the concerned high rates, from starting vibrating, which will make it impossible for sickle 11 to intercept them in a subsequent work cycle, sickle 11 is preferably provided with two superposed arms connected by an arched length at the second end 14b. The two arms delimit a slot 17 through which all the weft threads "T" pass, irrespective of their being intercepted by hook 16 or not. In the embodiment shown, hook 16 is rigidly connected to the upper arm and extends at the inside of slot 17.

[0034] The above described movable guides 12 are used to change the weft thread "T" that is inserted between the warp threads "O", so as to change the colour of the product "P", for example.

[0035] Loom 1 can also be devoid of the movable guides 12 but it may have a fixed guide alone that is used to maintain the weft thread "T" in the correct location for engagement by sickle 11.

[0036] At the second side end 4b of the bearing plate 4, apparatus 3 has third devices "P3" the function of which is to temporarily retain, on their end, the weft thread "T" carried by sickle 11 in the second position, until said weft thread "T" is interlaced with the warp threads "O".

[0037] The third devices "P3" comprise a movable needle 18 moving relative to the bearing plate 4 between a retracted position that is close to the first position of sickle 11, and an advanced position corresponding to the second position of sickle 11. A loading device 19 is disposed in side by side relationship with needle 18 and is used to load the weft thread "T" on the end of the needle 18 itself. The loading device 19 is defined by a rod that is shifted so as move its final end close to or away from needle 18.

[0038] Apparatus 3 finally comprises a reed 20 the dual function of which is to keep the warp threads "O" separated and to push the weft threads "T" against the already formed textile product "P", preferably after each passage of sickle 11. Reed 20 is installed between the bearing plate 4 and the heddle frames 6 and has a series of parallel lamellae or vertical rods fastened into a rigid frame. Reed 20 is movable between a disengaged position, at which it lies spaced apart from the bearing plate 4 and the formed textile product "P", and a compacting position, at which it lies close to the bearing plate 4 to compact the weft thread or threads "T".

[0039] Advantageous and unlike the looms of the known art, loom 1 according to the invention comprises actuators 21, each operatively connected to each of the first devices "P1" and/or each of the second devices "P2" and/or sickle 11 and/or each of the third devices "P3 and/or reed 20, to move said first devices "P1" and/or second devices "P2" and/or sickle 11 and/or third devices "P3" and/or reed 20.

[0040] According to one embodiment, loom 1 has a plurality of actuators 21, each operatively connected to one of the thread-guiding elements 9 to move this one thread-guiding element 9 independently of the others.

[0041] Preferably, the plurality of actuators 21 is positioned under the respective thread-guiding elements 9 at a lower region of the bearing structure 2. Each of said actuators 21 is defined by a cylinder having a rod 22 rigidly connected to the respective thread-guiding element 9.

[0042] Each cylinder 21 is disposed in a vertical direction and the thread-guiding element 9 extends vertically as a pole from a respective rod 22. Advantageously the cylinders are flattened, so that they can be disposed close to each other to take up a reduced space and form a battery. In this way, thread-guiding elements 9 also very close to each other can be operated. In particular, the body of each cylinder has a rectangular cross section, one of the two sizes being prevalent, and the rod of the cylinder itself is defined by a flat pole. The cylinders 21 are disposed close to each other at their prevalent sizes. The thickness "s" (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) of each cylinder 21 is preferably included between about 2 mm and about 2.5 mm, so that two adjacent thread-guiding elements 9 can be installed to a mutual distance "p" (Fig. 1) equal to or less than about 2.5 mm.

[0043] In addition, preferably, each thread-guiding element 9 is hooked to the respective rod 22 by means of a removable connection so as to enable easy replacement of only said thread-guiding element 9, should it break or should a different type of element 9 be required, for example.

[0044] According to one embodiment, loom 1 comprises at least two actuators 21, each operatively connected to a respective heddle frame 6 to move said frame 6.

[0045] Preferably, actuators 21 are each defined by a cylinder having a rod 22 rigidly connected to the respective heddle frame 6. Rod 22 is joined to one of the bars 6a for example, preferably the lower one.

[0046] According to an embodiment, loom 1 has at least two actuators 21, each operatively connected to the respective movable guide 12, to move said movable guide 12 and change the weft thread "T" carried by sickle 11.

[0047] The two actuators 21 are preferably positioned under the respective movable guides 12 at a lower region of the bearing structure 2. Said actuators 21 are each defined by a cylinder having a rod 22 connected to the respective movable guide.

[0048] The cylinder is mounted in a vertical position and the movable guide 12 extends vertically, as a pole from a respective rod 22.

[0049] Advantageously, the cylinders are flattened so that they can be disposed close to each other to take up a reduced space and form a battery. In this way, movable guides 12 even very close to each other can be operated. In particular, the body of each cylinder has a rectangular cross section, one of the two sizes being prevalent, and the rod of the cylinder itself is defined by a flat pole.

[0050] In addition, preferably, each movable guide 12 is hooked to the respective rod 22 by means of a removable connection, so as to enable easy replacement of said movable guide 12 alone, should it break for example.

[0051] According to an embodiment only diagrammatically shown, an actuator 21 is mounted close to the bearing plate 4 and is operatively connected to sickle 11, to move the latter.

[0052] According to an embodiment shown only diagrammatically, it is loader 19 to be moved by an actuator 21.

[0053] According to a further embodiment only diagrammatically shown, actuator 21 is mounted close to the bearing plate 4 and is operatively connected to reed 20 to move the latter.

[0054] According to an embodiment, actuator 21 is mounted close to the bearing plate 4 and is operatively connected to needle 18. Actuator 21 is defined by a cylinder 21 provided with a rod 22 connected to needle 18. Said cylinder 21 is mounted in a horizontal position and needle 18 extends as a pole from rod 22.

[0055] In addition, preferably, needle 18 is hooked to rod 22 by means of a removable connection so as to enable easy replacement of said needle 18.

[0056] Irrespective of which is the member moved by the above mentioned actuator or actuators 21, these actuators 21 can be either of the fluid-operated type or of the mechanical type.

[0057] According to a first embodiment, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, actuators 21 are single-acting or double-acting pneumatic cylinders.

[0058] In single-acting cylinders (Fig. 3), displacement of rod 22 in one direction is caused by air under pressure while displacement in the opposite direction is caused by a return spring 23 interposed between rod 22 and body 24 of cylinder 21 and mounted in the cylinder body 24.

[0059] To this aim, one end of rod 22 inside the cylinder body 24 is provided with a piston 25 that with an inner bottom surface 24a of body 24 confines a chamber 26 into which a duct 27 connected to a compressed air source 28 opens. Duct 27 is preferably defined by a preferably flexible small tube.

[0060] Spring 23 is for example of the helical type and is disposed around a stretch of rod 22 at the inside of the cylinder body 24. One end of spring 23 bears against a surface 25a of piston 25 and the opposite end of spring 23 bears against a surface 24b of body 24 opposite to the inner bottom surface 24a.

[0061] In double-acting cylinders (Fig. 4), displacements of rod 22 in the two ways are both caused by air under pressure admitted into body 24 of cylinder 21. To this aim, body 24 is internally divided into two chambers 26a, 26b by piston 25. A respective duct 27a, 27b opens into each chamber.

[0062] Alternatively, according to an embodiment not shown, the fluid-operated cylinders 21 are liquid-operated cylinders.

[0063] Said source 28 of air under pressure or more generally the source of fluid (which may be compressible or incompressible) - a compressor or a pump, for example - feeding the fluid-operated actuators 21 can be mounted on the bearing structure 2, or be part of the needle loom 1, or it may consist of a remote source, being part of an independent plant, for example.

[0064] If the remote source is employed, the needle loom 1 is further provided with a header to easily connect this source to the duct/s 27 mounted on the bearing structure 2 and being part of the loom 1 itself.

[0065] At all events, in both cases the needle loom 1 is provided with solenoid valves 29, one for each duct 27, and a control device, not shown and preferably of the electronic type, capable of governing them, so as to individually operate the fluid-operated actuators 21.

[0066] According to a different embodiment (Fig. 5), in which the actuator is of the electromechanical type, rod 22 is slidably movable within the cylinder and projects from both axial ends of the latter. One end 22a of rod 22 is connected to the element to be moved. In particular, rod 22 slides within axially aligned coils 30 and preferably consists of mutually aligned magnets 31, to increase the force that is developed per unit volume.

[0067] The cylinder is further provided, at each of its axial ends, with an auxiliary magnet 32 so that the rod 22 is maintained in its end-of-stroke positions (defining the non-operating and operating conditions of the actuator, respectively) until a further command causes a sufficiently intense field to be generated, in order to overcome attraction between magnet 32 and rod 22 and move rod 22 to the opposite position.

[0068] The invention achieves important advantages.

[0069] Since individual actuators are adopted, planning of the needle loom can be rationalised, which enables complicated motion-transmitting systems (cables, wires, etc.) to be avoided.

[0070] Intervening on the individual actuator appears to be also easier in the event of malfunction of same.

[0071] The modular character given by the individual actuator moving a respective movable element (in particular, the thread-guiding elements 9 of the Jacquard type and movable guides 12 for change of colour) allows each loom to be quickly and easily set up with the number of actuators/movable elements required by the final customer, which number can be easily modified even after installation of the loom at the final customer.

[0072] Adopting actuators of the fluid-operated type enables overheating phenomena typical of electrically operating devices to be eliminated; thus occurrence of overheating problems and, as a result, of problems connected with malfunction of the loom are avoided.

[0073] In addition, pneumatic operation enables energy consumption to be reduced because it is possible to recover part of the air used through a recirculation system so as to optimise the energy therein employed.

[0074] In addition, if an outer fluid source is employed, the loom has a lower cost and the construction complexity of same is reduced. As a result of the reduced complexity, reliability of the needle loom in accordance with the invention is increased as compared with looms of known type.

[0075] Furthermore, when liquid-operated actuators are adopted a great accuracy in positioning the elements that are driven in motion is ensured.

Claims

1. A needle loom, comprising:

- a bearing structure (2);

- at least one forming apparatus (3) for a textile product (P) installed on the bearing structure (2); said apparatus (3) having a bearing plate (4) for formation of the textile product (P), first devices (P1) for intercepting a plurality of warp threads (O) fed to the bearing plate (4), second devices (P2) for intercepting at least one weft thread (T) fed to the bearing plate (4); at least one sickle (11) to carry said at least one weft thread (T) transversely between said warp threads (O), third devices (P3) to temporarily retain said at least one weft thread (T) carried by the sickle (11), and a reed (20) movable between a disengaged position and a compacting position, to compact the weft threads (T) against the already formed textile product (P);

characterised in that it comprises actuators (21), each operatively connected to each of the first devices (P1) and/or each of the second devices (P2) and/or the sickle (11) and/or each of the third devices (P3) and/or the reed (20), to cause movement of said first devices (P1) and/or second devices (P2) and/or sickle (11) and/or third devices (P3) and/or reed (20).

2. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuators (21) are of the fluid-operated type.

3. A loom as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fluid-operated actuators (21) are of the pneumatic type.

4. A loom as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fluid-operated actuators (21) are of the liquid-operated type.

5. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuators (21) are of the electromechanical type.

6. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first devices (P1) comprise a plurality of thread-guiding elements (9), disposed upstream of the reed (20) and each intercepting a respective warp thread (O), and a plurality of actuators (21), each operatively connected to one of said thread-guiding elements (9) to move said one thread-guiding element (9) independently of the others.

7. A loom as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of actuators (21) is positioned under the respective thread-guiding elements (9).

8. A loom as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said actuators (21) is defined by a cylinder having a rod (22) connected to the respective thread-guiding element (9).

9. A loom as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cylinder (21) is a fluid-operated cylinder.

10. A loom as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the single-acting type.

11. A loom as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the double-acting type.

12. A loom as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is of the liquid-operated type.

13. A loom as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cylinder (21) is an electromechanical cylinder.

14. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first devices (P1) comprise at least two heddle frames (6) disposed upstream of the reed (20), each supporting a plurality of thread-guiding elements (7) intercepting respective warp threads (O), and at least two actuators (21), each operatively connected to a respective one of the heddle frames (6) to move said frame (6).

15. A loom as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of said actuators (21) is defined by a cylinder having a rod (22) connected to the respective heddle frame (6).

16. A loom as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cylinder (21) is a fluid-operated cylinder.

17. A loom as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the single-acting type.

18. A loom as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the double-acting type.

19. A loom as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is of the liquid-operated type.

20. A loom as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cylinder (21) is an electromechanical cylinder.

21. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second devices (P2) comprise at least two movable guides (12), disposed close to the sickle (11) and intercepting respective weft threads (T), and at least two actuators (21), each operatively connected to the respective movable guide (12), to move said movable guide (12) and change the weft thread (T) carried by the sickle (11).

22. A loom as claimed in claim 21, wherein said at least two actuators (21) are positioned under the respective movable guides (12).

23. A loom as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of said at least two actuators (21) is defined by a cylinder having a rod (22) connected to the respective movable guide (12).

24. A loom as claimed in claim 23, wherein the cylinder (21) is a fluid-operated cylinder.

25. A loom as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the single-acting type.

26. A loom as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the double-acting type.

27. A loom as claimed in claim 24, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is of the liquid-operated type.

28. A loom as claimed in claim 23, wherein the cylinder (21) is an electromechanical cylinder.

29. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (21) is mounted close to the bearing plate (4) and is operatively connected to the sickle (11) to move the latter (11).

30. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third devices (P3) comprise a needle (18) movable between a retracted position and an advanced position.

31. A loom as claimed in claim 30, wherein the actuator (21) is mounted close to the bearing plate (4) and is operatively connected to the needle (18) to move said needle (18).

32. A loom as claimed in claim 30, wherein the actuator (21) is defined by a cylinder having a rod (22) connected to the needle (18).

33. A loom as claimed in claim 32, wherein the cylinder (21) is a fluid-operated cylinder.

34. A loom as claimed in claim 33, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the single-acting type.

35. A loom as claimed in claim 33, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the double-acting type.

36. A loom as claimed in claim 33, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is of the liquid-operated type.

37. A loom as claimed in claim 33, wherein the cylinder (21) is an electromechanical cylinder.

38. A loom as claimed in claim 30, wherein the third devices (P3) further comprise a loader (19) disposed in side-by-side relationship with the needle (18) to load the weft thread (T) on the end of said needle (18).

39. A loom as claimed in claim 38, wherein the actuator (21) is mounted close to the bearing plate (4) and is operatively connected to the loader (19) to move said loader (19).

40. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (21) is mounted close to the bearing plate (4) and is operatively connected to the reed (20) to move said reed (20).

41. A loom as claimed in claim 2, further comprising at least one fluid source (28) installed on the bearing structure (2) and connected to said at least one fluid-operated actuator (21) by means of ducts (27).

42. A loom as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one fluid-operated actuator (21) is connectable through ducts (27) to a remote fluid source (28).

43. A loom as claimed in claim 42, wherein the remote fluid source (28) is a compressed-air source.

44. A loom as claimed in claim 41 or 42, comprising at least one solenoid valve (29) mounted on each duct (27) to operate said at least one fluid-operated actuator (21).

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. A needle loom, comprising:

- a bearing structure (2);

- at least one forming apparatus (3) for a textile product (P) installed on the bearing structure (2); said apparatus (3) having a bearing plate (4) for formation of the textile product (P), first devices (P1) for intercepting a plurality of warp threads (0) fed to the bearing plate (4), second devices (P2) for intercepting at least one weft thread (T) fed to the bearing plate (4); at least one sickle (11) to carry said at least one weft thread (T) transversely between said warp threads (O), third devices (P3) to temporarily retain said at least one weft thread (T) carried by the sickle (11), and a reed (20) movable between a disengaged position and a compacting position, to compact the weft threads (T) against the already formed textile product (P);

-wherein the first devices (P1) comprise a plurality of thread-guiding elements (9), disposed upstream of the reed (20) and each intercepting one of said warp threads (O); each of the thread-guiding elements (9) having an elongated structure and a respective eye (10) through which a warp thread (O) passes and moving with a reciprocating motion along a vertical direction;
characterised in that it comprises a plurality of actuators (21), each operatively connected to one of said thread-guiding elements (9) to move said one thread-guiding element (9) independently of the others; wherein each of said actuators (21) is defined by a fluid-operated cylinder having a rod (22) connected to the respective thread-guiding element (9); the fluid-operated cylinders being flattened and disposed close to each other to form a battery.

2. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of actuators (21) is positioned under the respective thread-guiding elements (9).

3. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the single-acting type.

4. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the double-acting type.

5. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is of the liquid-operated type.

6. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second devices (P2) comprise at least two movable guides (12), disposed close to the sickle (11) and intercepting respective weft threads (T), and at least two actuators (21), each operatively connected to the respective movable guide (12), to move said movable guide (12) and change the weft thread (T) carried by the sickle (11).

7. A loom as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least two actuators (21) are positioned under the respective movable guides (12).

8. A loom as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said at least two actuators (21) is defined by a cylinder having a rod (22) connected to the respective movable guide (12).

9. A loom as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cylinder (21) is a fluid-operated cylinder.

10. A loom as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the single-acting type.

11. A loom as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is a pneumatic cylinder of the double-acting type.

12. A loom as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fluid-operated cylinder (21) is of the liquid-operated type.

13. A loom as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one fluid source (28) installed on the bearing structure (2) and connected to said fluid-operated actuators (21) by means of ducts (27).

14. A loom as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluid-operated actuators (21) are connectable through ducts (27) to a remote fluid source (28).

15. A loom as claimed in claim 14, wherein the remote fluid source (28) is a compressed-air source.

16. A loom as claimed in claim 13 or 14, comprising at least one solenoid valve (29) mounted on each duct (27) to operate said fluid-operated actuators (21).

Drawing