The present invention relates to improvements in control apparatus for textile weaving apparatus or other machinery controlled by Jacquard cards or similar devices. The invention has been developed with the carpet production industry in mind but is not limited to this application.

In the textile weaving industry and in other industries, Jacquard mechanisms employing cards, tapes or similar devices are used. In the textile weaving industry such devices are used to permit a particular design of colours or textures to be realised in the fabric, carpet or the like. Jacquard cards have been used for this purpose for many years and are still commonly used today. A Jacquard card in the textile weaving industry comprises a stiff card material with an array of holes located therein corresponding to the desired pattern intended to be achieved. The Jacquard mechanism includes a plurality of movable pins which either are obstructed by a solid part of the card or are permitted to pass through a hole in the card. The position of these movable pins are then used to control subsequent events to produce the desired pattern, colours or the like in the fabric, carpet or the like being produced. In practice it is usual to link a plurality of these cards together so that they are sequentially brought into an operable position to control the fabric / carpet producing machinery to achieve the desired end pattern. While these cards have operated satisfactorily in the textile weaving industry for many years, they do have certain difficulties in practice. For example, it inevitably takes considerable time to set up the machinery to produce any particular desired pattern. It is of course also difficult and time consuming to change patterns as may be required from time to time. While Jacquard cards result in these practical difficulties in use, it remains the case that most textile weaving machinery currently in use employ Jacquard type mechanisms to control colour and other similar patterns. Similar control devices are used in other industries and the present invention is equally applicable thereto. There have been some attempts to provide a degree of mechanisation to allow Jacquard cards or their equivalent to be altered to allow differing patterns to be formed in the article being produced. Examples of such devices may be

found in GB Patent No. 2,243,624 and 2,106,549, and U.S. Patent No. 4,903,738. The arrangements disclosed, however, still do not permit rapid and easy changing of complex patterns or designs. There have also been proposals to do away with Jacquard cards or their equivalent completely by using substitute mechanisms such as an array of electromagnetic heads as disclosed in U.K. Patent No. 1 ,304,683. While such systems are possible, they are in practice complex and costly.

The objective therefore of the present invention is to provide a device, capable of use as a Jacquard card or its equivalent in a Jacquard type mechanism for controlling textile weaving machines or any other machine, which device will allow ready reconfiguration to any desired pattern to allow the machine controlled thereby to produce differing desired patterns. Preferably the present invention aims at providing an electromechanical type device which is capable of acting as a Jacquard card type control device but in which the array of holes / obstructions are capable of being rapidly rearranged to any desired pattern by simple and cost effective means. A further preferred objective of the present invention is to provide a device as aforesaid capable of being computer controlled to permit ease of pattern changes as desired.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a Jacquard type mechanism control device comprising a plurality of movable obstruction means arranged to move between at least two positions, and an actuating mechanism, at least part of which is movably arranged relative to said movable obstruction means whereby one or more of said movable obstruction means are selectably set to one of said two positions sequentially. In a first one of said two positions, the or each said movable obstruction means located in said first position, are preferably located so as to either operatively activate a member of the Jacquard mechanism or be capable of movement to such a location by movement means acting on all said movable obstruction means located in said first position. In a second one of said two positions, the or each said movable obstruction means located in a said second position, are preferably located so as to either not operatively activate a member of the Jacquard mechanism or be capable of movement to such a location by

movement means acting on all said movable obstruction means located in a said second position.

In accordance with one preferred arrangement, each movable obstruction means is set in one of said first or second positions, one after the other as said actuating mechanism is moved. In a further preferred arrangement, said actuating mechanism may be arranged to set groups of said movable obstruction means simultaneously.

Preferably, the control device includes releasable holding means to hold the movable obstruction means in a Jacquard mechanism member obstructing position when in use. Conveniently, the movable obstruction means each comprise at least one pin member movable within passage means in the control device, each said passage means terminating at a control surface to form a respective one of a plurality of openings therein. Conveniently, in use, the Jacquard mechanism members are each located adjacent to a said opening either outwardly of or inwardly of a said passage means. Advantageously, resilient seal means is provided acting between each said pin member and its associated passage means to provide controlled movement of the pin member along said passage means. Preferably each said pin member includes sections of reduced thickness adapted to co-operate with said locking means to selectably prevent movement of the pin member away from said control surface. Conveniently, said sections of reduced thickness also permit co-operation with a reset mechanism to enable all movable members to be positioned distant from the control surface.

In a further preferred arrangement the present application proposes a control device of the aforementioned kind wherein the or each said movable obstruction means is adapted to move through at least a part of its movement in its associated passage means by pressure applied to the movable obstruction means separate from said actuating mechanism.

In a further preferred arrangement, the present application proposes a control device of the aforementioned kind wherein the reset mechanism includes pressure means to move said movable member or members as desired to a reset or start position.

In a still further preferred arrangement, the present application proposes a control device of the aforementioned kind wherein the or each said movable obstruction means is formed in at least two parts, a first part being moved by said actuating mechanism and a second part being moved in response to movement of said first part by the actuating mechanism, said second part being also movable by movement means in the form of separate actuating pressure means to a position obstructing a said opening in said control surface or selectably by reset pressure means to return said second part to a position wherein said opening in said control surface is free from obstruction. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a control device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic section view showing the lock plate taken along line ll-ll of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic section view showing the lift plate taken along line Ill-Ill of Figure 1 ;

Figures 4 and 5 are schematic end section views taken along line IV-IV of Figure 1 showing the mechanism for moving the lift plate; Figure 6 is a transverse section view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 1.

Figures 7A to 7D are detail partial longitudinal views illustrating the operable parts of the control device at different stages in the use of the control device;

Figure 8 is a detailed view of the movable obstruction means used in a second embodiment shown generally in Figures 9A to 9C;

Figures 9A to 9C are views of the second preferred embodiment in differing operational stages; and

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figures 9A to 9C showing a third preferred embodiment. The control device illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings comprises a housing body 10 comprising a stationary upper plate 11 and a stationary lower plate 12 fixed in relation to one another and defining a space 13 there between.

The upper and lower plates 11 ,12 have a plurality of aligned parallel passages 14 in a predetermined array corresponding to the desired Jacquard mechanism. Each passage 14 forms an opening 15 in the lower surface of the lower plate forming the control surface 16 of the device 10. Within the space 13 there are provided a movable upper lift plate 17 and a movable lower lock plate 18. The lift plate 17 and the lock plate 18 each have a plurality of through passages 19, 20 respectively, that correspond in number and spacing to the passages 14 in the stationary plates 11, 12. The lift plate is adapted to be moved in a vertical direction by a lift mechanism 21. As shown in Figures 4, 5, the lift mechanism 21 comprises plate 22 movable in a direction transverse to the desired vertical movement of the lift plate 17. Angled guide slots 23 are provided on this plate with bearing wheels 24 engaged therein so that upon transverse movement of the plate 22, the bearing wheels 24 move up or down as desired. The lift plate

17 is retained by four guide holes 25 engaging over vertical guide pins 26 at each corner to ensure that it moves vertically and not sideways. The lock plate

18 is adapted to slide on the top surface of the lower plate 12 and is capable of movement only in the longitudinal direction of the plates 11 , 12, 17 and 18. Again guide holes 27 in the four comers retain the plate 18 on the guide pins 26 and these holes 27 are slightly enlarged in the longitudinal direction to permit the required longitudinal sliding movement of the lock plate. Again this movement is achieved by a wheel bearing 28 engaging in an angled slot 29 in the end of the plate 18. Movement of the wheeled bearing transverse to the plate 18 (by any suitable mechanism) thereby causes longitudinal movement of the plate 18 retained on the guide pins 26. It will of course be apparent that other means of plate movement and control could also be employed if desired.

In addition to the foregoing, a movable obstruction means 30 in the form of a pin member is located in each of the passages 14 in the upper and lower plates 11 , 12. Each pin member comprises three enlarged cross-sectional parts

31 , 32 and 33 spaced from each other by narrowed sections 34, 35. The larger section parts 31, 33 at either end of each pin member 30 is received in and slides within the passages 14 in the upper and lower plates 11 , 12. The third intermediate enlarged section 32 is located between the lift plate 17 and the

lock plate 18. Each pin member 30 has a resilient seal 36 acting between the pin member 30 and the passage 14 in the upper plate 11 which both seals the upper plate passage 14 and provides some resistance to movement of the pin member 30. It is convenient that the resilient seals 36 be mounted on the pins 30 but they could also be located in the upper plate passages 14, if desired.

A movable carriage 37 is provided slidably mounted on the top surface 38 of the upper plate 11 so that it traverses in sequence the upper ends of the passages 14. Any suitable mechanism may be used to position and move the carriage 37 as desired. For example, a servo motor and belt or an actuating cylinder could be used. Any other mechanism might also be employed. In the preferred embodiment, appropriate valve means and a pressurised gas source is provided to selectably supply a pulse of compressed gas into the top end of at least some of the passages 14 so as to move the pin member 30 in those passages from its first (upper) withdrawn position to a second (lower) active position. Whether or not a compressed gas pulse is fired into respective passages 14 is dependent on the ultimate pattern of closed or open holes desired at the lower control surface 16. This pattern may be determined by computer means so that movement of the carriage 37 and the firing of compressed gas pulses is predetermined and controlled by the computer means so that a desired pattern results at the control surface 16 which in turn corresponds to a desired fabric pattern to be produced by a Jacquard type controlled textile fabricating machine. Obviously to change the pattern all that is required is a change to the computer control system (program) so that any desired pattern can be readily achieved at the control surface 16. Moreover, it should be appreciated that variations to the apparatus shown in the drawings could be used as may be desired. For example, other mechanisms mounted on a movable carriage or the like for actually moving the pin members 30 could be used such as by direct action of a primary air cylinder or perhaps by means of electric solenoids. The illustrated apparatus shows one pin member 30 being positioned at any one time, however, a plurality of pin members could be positioned as desired from one movable carriage member. Furthermore, in some situations it might be desirable to employ two or more movable carriage

members although the foregoing arrangements while providing increased speed of setting the pins, may be more complicated and expensive to produce. As is shown in Figure 7A, the device 10 might advantageously include sensor means 40, preferably including two sensors 41 , 42, to verify the correct positioning of the pin members according to the predetermined pattern desired so as to ensure against pattern faults as a result of incorrect pin positioning. Alternatively, sensor or scanning means may be provided looking axially along the pins from above or below to determine their correct positioning.

The operation of the control device illustrated in Figures 7A to 7D will now be briefly described. Figure 7A illustrates a start position where all the pin members have been set in their upper withdrawn position. In this position the lift plate 17 is in its lower position and the lock plate 18 is positioned so that its passages are aligned with passages 14 in the lower plate 12. In this configuration the actuating carriage 37 traverses the top surface of the upper plate 11 providing compressed gas pulses onto selected pin members 30 controlled by computer means (not shown) as illustrated in Figure 7B. Subsequently, the lock plate 18 is moved longitudinally (as shown in Figure 7C) and in this position both the withdrawn pin members 30 and the extended or active pin members 30 are locked against upward movement by the lock plate 18. The lock plate 18 also prevents downward movement of the withdrawn pin members while the lift plate 17 serves the purpose of preventing downward movement of the extended pin members. Thus, in this position, the pin members 30 are locked in position and the control device is suitable for use in the Jacquard control mechanism. If it is desired to change the pin member pattern, then the lift plate 17 is raised (as shown in Figure 7D) to lift all the extended pin members 30 back to the raised or reset level and the process may be repeated for a new pattern dictated by the computer control means.

In a second preferred embodiment shown in Figures 9A to 9C, the control device housing body 10 comprises a stationary upper plate 11 and a stationary lower body member 12 which are fixed in relation to one another. The actuating mechanism or carriage means is not shown but would traverse the top surface of the plate 11 in the same manner as disclosed in the embodiments shown in

Figures 1 to 7. A series of through passage means 14 extend from the top surface of plate 11 to the bottom or control surface 16 of the body member 12. The through passage means 14 may be numerous and in any desired array as shown in the earlier case. The through passage means 14 also include zones of differing diameters co-operating with movable obstruction means 30 as described hereinafter. In this embodiment, as best seen in Figure 8, each movable obstruction means 30 comprises two members, one being an upper poppet member 50 and the other being a lower pin member 51 , with a plurality of seals 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 (conveniently ⁿ O - rings") located as illustrated. The body member 12 also includes first transverse passage means 57 to provide switch pressure P _s to all passage means 14 simultaneously and second transverse passage means 58 to provide return passage P _r to all passage means 14 simultaneously and selectably as desired and described hereinafter.

Figure 9A of the accompanying drawings shows the movable obstruction means 30 all in a reset or start position wherein the lower end surfaces 59 of each pin member 51 is raised from the control surface 16. At the start of operation with the members 30 positioned as shown in Figure 9A, switch pressure P _s is turned on by an air solenoid or the like and the return pressure P _r is off. Thereafter, as the actuating mechanism moves across the top surface of plate 11 , solenoids (not shown) fire and introduce actuation pressure P _a into selected passage means 14 controlled by external pattern determining means such as a computer control or the like. When actuating pressure P _a is introduced, the upper poppet member 50 is forced down and the top seal 53 on the pin member 51 opens the switch pressure passage means 57 so that the switch pressure P _s is applied to the pin member 51 (Figure 9B) to move same downwardly and at the same time to move the poppet member 50 upwardly to the position shown in Figure 9C. Thus the movement of the pin member 51 is no longer dependent on the actuation pressure P _a . The actuating pressure P _a is lower than the switch pressure P _s , preventing the poppet from getting past the switch pressure port 57. As can be seen in Figure 5, the pin member 51 is moved down by the switch pressure P _s until the seal member 55 engages ledge 60 in the passage means whereby the pin end surface 59 is generally co-planar

with the control surface 16. The seal 55 assists in preventing or minimising any rebound tendency of the pin member 51. The switch pressure P _s is maintained until the body member 12 and the lowered pin members 51 move against the Jacquard pins shown schematically at 61. Lowered pin members 51 will push against their associated Jacquard pin 61 while the pin members 51 that remain in the start or reset position (shown illustratively) in the left hand passage means 14 in Figure 9C will not push against and thereby affect movement of their associated Jacquard pin 61.

To return all lowered pin members 51 to the top or reset position, the switch pressure P _s is turned off and the return pressure passage 58 is pressurised so that pressure is applied against the seal members 55 to move the pin members 51 upwardly back to the position shown in Figure 10A. In this position the pin members 51 are ready for another pass of the actuating carriage or the like to reposition the pin members in any desired configuration. Figure 10 illustrates a still further preferred embodiment which operates in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figures 9A to 9C. In this embodiment, the lower body member 12 is formed in two parts 70, 71 with the through passage means 14 extending through the upper plate 11 , the intermediate body member part 70 and the lower body member part 71. The passages 72 in lower part 71 are of uniform diameter and less than the diameter of the passages 73 in the intermediate part 70. By splitting the body member 12 into two parts it is possible to avoid the manufacturing difficulty of accurately drilling bores of differing diameters in the one part. The passage means 14 in the upper plate 11 has an upper section 74 of a diameter less than a lower section 75 with the lower section 75 having a diameter greater than the adjacent bore 73 in the intermediate part 70. The upper poppet member 50 has a head portion 76 of a diameter providing a sliding fit in the section 75, and a shank portion 77 of a diameter providing a sliding fit in the bore 73. In this manner, the upper poppet member 50 is constrained by the upper plate 11 and the intermediate part 70 and is capable of axial movement in the passage means 14 through a distance defined by the length of the poppet member head 76 and by the length of the section 75 of the bore in the plate 11. A lower pin member 51 is located

extending through the adjoining passages 72, 73 and includes an upper section 78 of a diameter less than but approximating the diameter of the passage 73 and a lower section 79 having a diameter providing a sliding fit in passage 72. A pair of O-ring seals 80, 81 are provided on the upper section 78 providing a sliding seal on the passage 73. A seal member 82 is provided surrounding the section 79 of the pin member 51 providing a seal both on the section 79 and the wall of the passage 73. Conveniently the seal member 82 may be formed by two adjacent O-rings or any other suitable seal member. The seal member 82 remains relatively stationary and its movement (if any) is constrained between the ledge (83 parting line between the parts 70 and 71) and the reset pressure passage 58.

As is the case with the embodiment of Figures 9A to 9C, from a starting point where the upper poppet member 50 and the lower pin members 51 are all in their upper (or reset) position as shown in the right-hand side of Figure 10, the actuating means 37 (not shown in Figure 10) traverses the top surface of plate 11 and selectably sets selected poppet members 50 to their lower position (left side of Figure 10) by firing a burst of pressurised air P _a into selected passages 74. At this stage, preferably no pressurised air is supplied via passage 57. The movement of the poppet member 50 is sufficient to lower the pin member 51 to a position where its upper seal 80 is at least below the upper part of the passage 57. Thus, when pressurised air P _s is subsequently applied through passage 57, this pressure forces the pin member 51 downwardly. If any particular pin member 51 (such as the right-hand pin member in Figure 10) has not been set downwardly by action of the poppet member 50, then the diameter of the section 78 is such as to allow pressurised air P _s to leak around the section 78 to act on any pin member that has been set down by action of the poppet member 50. Thus, it will be appreciated that any number of passages 14 and associated poppets 50 and pin members 51 can be used in any desired array. This also of course applies with the embodiment of Figures 9A to 9C. Movement of the pin members downwardly under action of the pressure P _s occurs until the seal 82 engages the ledge 83. The seal 82 thus provides a seal on the part 79, on the wall 73 and also seals the parting line between the parts

70, 71. In this position, the lower pin members 51 that have been set down are held down by the pressure P _s and the pin members 51 that have not been set down are held in their upper positions by function of the seals 80, 81 on the wall of the passage 73. The Jacquard mechanism members (not shown) are adapted, in use, to locate within the passage 72 to engage the ends 84 of the pin members 51 when in the lowered position. When it is desired to reset the pin members all to their upper position, the pressure P _s is removed and reset pressure is provided via passage 58 to move the lowered pin members upwardly. In this manner, a relatively simple control device is provided which is capable of use as a substitute for conventional Jacquard cards in a Jacquard control device allowing ease of reconfiguration for different fabric patterns as may be required.