[0001 ] The invention relates to a support assembly for a weaving machine, more particularly to a support assembly for attaching a shed-forming device on top of a weaving machine, wherein a weft thread is inserted into a shed in a weft direction from an insertion side to an arrival side and furthermore also to an intermediate support for use with such a support assembly.

[0002] Such support assemblies are known, for example, from EP1 171658 and EP1096048. These support assemblies, wherein the shed-forming device is arranged on top of the weaving machine, for example in the form of a jacquard, offer the advantage that the weaving machine and shed-forming device can easily be moved together when the production line of the weaving mill is being reorganised, and also the fact that there is no need for additional floor area, besides the floor area provided for the weaving machine itself. However, as indicated in EP1 171658 and EP1096048, the vertical elements of the support assembly are arranged at the rear side of the weaving machine in order to keep the zone where the fabric is formed at the front side of the weaving machine accessible for the operator. After all, a vertical element in this zone forms an obstruction when operating and maintaining the weaving machine. However, such support assemblies wherein these vertical elements are arranged in this way, can no longer guarantee a sufficient stability with highspeed weaving machines and shed-forming devices. After all, the support assembly is loaded by the weight of the shed-forming device which may be for a jacquard for example two to three tons, and to a dynamic load, for example originating from the springs which act on the heddles operated by the jacquard which may be for example, three to five tons. Furthermore, the support assembly is also subjected to a significant amount of vibrations which results from the weaving operation, for example caused by the reciprocating beating- up device. All this may lead to the generation of oscillations in the support assembly, as a result of which in particular the bending moments which act on the vertical parts greatly increase.

[0003] In order to ensure the required stability, a support assembly for the shed-forming device is often used in such cases, which is placed on the floor separate from the weaving machine. In this case, the vertical parts of the support assembly are placed as far apart as possible and it is ensured that a certain space is left between these vertical parts and the front side of the weaving machine, so that the operator is not hampered when operating the weaving machine. However, such support assemblies have the drawback that they require a larger floor area and cannot easily be moved together with the weaving machine when the production line is being reorganised or during maintenance work.

[0004] Consequently, there is a need for a support assembly to attach a shed-forming device on top of a weaving machine which does not have the abovementioned drawbacks and which can offer sufficient stability and resistance to oscillations without requiring additional floor area and without hampering the operator during operation of the weaving machine.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a support assembly for a weaving machine which is configured to insert a weft thread in a shed in a weft direction from an insertion side to an arrival side having the features of claim 1 . In particular, a support assembly comprising an intermediate support which can be arranged on top of the weaving machine, wherein the intermediate support is asymmetrical. The intermediate support is asymmetrical in order to guarantee the accessibility of the weft thread in the area of the insertion side and to guarantee the stability of the support assembly, more particularly of the intermediate support, in the area of the arrival side.

[0006] Due to the asymmetrical construction, the risk of the creation of oscillations is reduced, as the deformations and vibrations extend less far in the same direction than the elements of the weaving machine or shed-forming device which produce such oscillations.

[0007] According to the invention, the intermediate support comprises a first lateral intermediate support which can be arranged in the area of the insertion side and a second lateral intermediate support which can be arranged in the area of the arrival side, wherein in the area of the path of the weft thread in the shed-forming direction the second lateral intermediate support extends in the warp direction at a first side of the path of the weft thread, which first side is located at the warp side, and at a second side of the path of the weft thread, which second side is located at the fabric side, in order to guarantee the stability of the support assembly in the area of the arrival side, and wherein in the area of the path of the weft thread in the shed-forming direction, the first lateral intermediate support leaves at least one of the first side and the second side of the path of the weft thread free in order to guarantee the accessibility of the weft thread in the area of the insertion side.

[0008] In an embodiment, the intermediate support is formed in such a way that: in the weft direction, in the area of the start of the path of the weft thread, the intermediate support leaves at least one side of the path of the weft thread free in order to guarantee the accessibility of the weft thread; and

in the weft direction, in the area of the end of the path of the weft thread, more particularly beyond the end of the path of the weft thread, the intermediate support extends to a maximum degree on either side of the path of the weft thread in order to guarantee the stability of the support assembly, more particularly to increase it.

[0009] In this way, a maximum stability is achieved by still extending the support assembly on either side of the path of the weft thread at a location, beyond the end of the path of the weft thread, where the operator is not hampered during operation of the weaving machine.

[0010] According to a further embodiment wherein:

the support assembly comprises the weaving machine comprising:

- shed-forming elements configured to form a shed with warp threads which are supplied parallel to a warp direction from a warp side to a fabric side;

- an insertion device configured to insert a weft thread in a shed formed by the shed- forming elements along a path in a weft direction, starting from an insertion side, where the path of the weft thread enters the shed, to an opposite arrival side, where the path of the weft thread leaves the shed;

- a frame comprising a first lateral support arranged in the area of the insertion side and a second lateral support arranged in the area of the arrival side;

- the support assembly furthermore comprises a shed-forming device connected to the shed-forming elements and configured to move the shed-forming elements up and down in a shed-forming direction, almost transversely to the warp direction and the weft direction in order to form the shed;

- the support assembly furthermore comprises the intermediate support, which is arranged on top of the frame of the weaving machine, and to which the shed-forming device is attached,

the intermediate support comprising:

- the first lateral intermediate support which is arranged on the first lateral support; and

- the second lateral intermediate support which is arranged on the second lateral support, wherein respective orthogonal projections, along the weft direction in a plane determined by the warp direction and the shed-forming direction, differ from the first lateral intermediate support and the second lateral intermediate support. [0011 ] The asymmetric intermediate support which is formed in this way by lateral intermediate supports, the orthogonal projection of which, in other words the side view, in a plane transversely to the weft direction differs, ensures that fewer deformations and vibrations of the intermediate support, more particularly vibrations in the warp direction produced or generated by the oscillating beating-up device occur, as a result of which the risk of oscillations is likewise reduced and the positioning of the shed-forming device during operation of the weaving machine can be better guaranteed.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, in the area of the path of the weft thread in the shed-forming direction, the first lateral intermediate support only extends in the warp direction at the first side of the path of the weft thread, which first side is located at the warp side.

[0013] This ensures a good accessibility of the zone at the insertion side where the weft thread is present, also referred to as insertion zone, for the operator while operating the weaving machine.

[0014] According to the invention, in the area of the path of the weft thread in the shed- forming direction, the second lateral intermediate support extends in the warp direction at the first side of the path of the weft thread and at a second side of the path of the weft thread, which second side is situated at the fabric side.

[0015] In this way, maximum stability is offered at a location which does not affect the accessibility adversely.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, in the area of the path of the weft thread in the shed-forming direction, the second lateral intermediate support extends further in the direction of the fabric side in the warp direction than the first lateral intermediate support.

[0017] In particular, it is necessary for the operator to have access to the path of the weft thread at the fabric side during the operation of the weaving machine. Here, this is maximized at the insertion side.

[0018] According to a further embodiment:

- the first lateral intermediate support is connected to the first lateral support at a front connection point in the warp direction which is located mainly on the fabric side and a rear connection point in the warp direction which is located mainly on the warp side, and - the second lateral intermediate support is connected to the second lateral support at a front connection point in the warp direction which is located mainly on the fabric side and a rear connection point in the warp direction which is located mainly on the warp side,

- wherein the front connection point of the second lateral intermediate support is located further in the direction of the fabric side in the warp direction than the front connection point of the first lateral intermediate support.

[0019] In this way, the forces resulting from the torques which are produced by the bending moments in the lateral intermediate supports are kept under control without the ergonomics for the operator at the insertion side being compromised. Furthermore, this asymmetric attachment to the connection points also ensures that the risk of oscillations is reduced.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the orthogonal projection along the shed-forming direction on a plane determined by the weft direction and the warp direction of the centre of gravity of the shed-forming device is located within the orthogonal projection of the polygon formed by the front connection point and the rear connection point of the first lateral intermediate support and the front connection point and the rear connection point of the second lateral intermediate support.

[0021 ] Such a positioning of the connection points ensures an inherently stable situation, as a result of which the forces resulting from the bending moments produced in the lateral intermediate supports in the area of the connection points are limited.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the first lateral intermediate support comprises at least two connection points which are arranged at different heights in the shed-forming direction. Preferably, the front connection point and the rear connection point of the first lateral intermediate support in the shed-forming direction are arranged at a different height.

[0023] As a result thereof, the relative distance between the connection points is increased, so that the bending moments can be absorbed more efficiently. This is particularly advantageous for the first lateral intermediate support as the distance between the front connection point and the rear connection point is limited by the path of the weft thread.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the front connection point of the first lateral intermediate support in the shed-forming direction is arranged higher than the rear connection point of the first lateral intermediate support. [0025] This specific positioning of the connection points ensures a maximum distance of the rear connection point to the centre of gravity of the shed-forming device, as a result of which the forces resulting from the bending moment, in particular in the first lateral intermediate support, can again be reduced.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the intermediate support furthermore comprises a transverse profile which extends between the first lateral intermediate support and the second lateral intermediate support and to which the shed-forming device is attached.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the shed-forming device comprises a jacquard device.

[0028] Such devices which are, after all, arranged at a certain height on top of the weaving machine, often have a considerable weight and subject the support assembly to significant dynamic loads during operation.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, an intermediate support for use in a support assembly according to the first aspect of the invention is provided, the intermediate support comprising:

- a first lateral intermediate support which is arranged on the first lateral support; and

- a second lateral intermediate support which is arranged on the second lateral support, wherein the respective orthogonal projections, along the weft direction in a plane determined by the warp direction and the shed-forming direction, differ from the first lateral intermediate support and the second lateral intermediate support.

[0030] Further features, advantages and exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 A schematically shows a partial cross section along the line l-l in Figure 1 B;

- Figure 1 B schematically shows a partial front view of the support assembly according to the invention;

- Figure 1 C schematically shows a partial cross section along the line ll-ll in Figure 1 B;

- Figure 1 D schematically shows a partial side view of the first lateral intermediate support from Figures 1 A-1 C;

- Figure 1 E schematically shows a partial side view of the second lateral intermediate support from Figures 1 A-1 C; - Figures 2A and 2B show similar side views such as Figures 1 D and 1 E of the respective lateral intermediate supports of an alternative embodiment;

- Figure 3 shows a partial view of Figure 1 C, in which the location of the centre of gravity of the shed-forming device is illustrated; and

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment, similar to the embodiment from Figures 2A and 2B.

[0031 ] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a support assembly 1 for a weaving machine 2. Such a weaving machine may be an airjet weaving machine, a gripper weaving machine, a water jet weaving machine, a projectile weaving machine, a gripper shuttle weaving machine or any other type of weaving machine. The weaving machine 2 comprises a warp beam 3 from which warp threads 14 are unwound, after which the warp threads 14 will advance, via a backrest beam 4, which is situated at the warp side 15 of the weaving machine 2, along an almost horizontal warp direction 18. Via the coordinated operation of shed-forming elements 10, a beating-up device 7 and an insertion device 20, a fabric 17 is formed by the warp threads 14 together with a weft thread 26. This fabric 17 is wound onto a cloth roll 6 via a breast beam 5. The shed-forming elements 10, for example heddles with a thread eye through which a warp thread 14 can be passed, are configured to form a shed 12 with these warp threads 14. The warp threads 14 which are supplied parallel to a warp direction 18 from the warp side 15 to the fabric side 16 are to this end opened in the area of the shed 12 according to a determined pattern by moving the warp threads 14 in an almost vertical shed- forming direction 48 up or down, respectively, according to a predetermined pattern. In order to achieve this movement, a shed-forming device 40 is present. As illustrated schematically, the shed-forming device 40 is connected to the shed-forming elements 10. The illustrated shed-forming device 40 comprises, for example, a known jacquard device which is configured to move the shed-forming elements 10 in the form of heddles up and down in a shed-forming direction 48, that is to say, almost transversely to the warp direction 18 and the weft direction 28, in order to form the shed 12. To this end, for example, each shed-forming element 10 which is configured as a heddle or each group of a certain number of shed- forming elements 10 which are configured as heddles are connected at one side to a cord on the jacquard device and connected to a spring mechanism 38 at the other side, as illustrated schematically. In this way, the jacquard device 40 can drive each heddle or each group of heddles individually to form the desired pattern for the shed 12. It is clear that alternative shed-forming devices 40 are also possible, such as for example a dobby device which is likewise arranged on top of the weaving machine, and that the shed-forming elements 10 can be connected to the shed-forming device 40 in an alternative manner, such as for example heddles arranged in known weaving frames which are connected to the shed-forming device 40 via a rod mechanism.

[0032] The insertion device 20 is schematically illustrated in Figures 1 B and 1 C as a nozzle for an airjet weaving machine, but it is clear that a variant insertion device 20 may be used in another type of weaving machine 2, such as for example a gripper mechanism in a gripper weaving machine. The insertion device 20 is configured to insert a weft thread 26 in a shed 12 formed by the shed-forming elements 10. In this case the weft thread 26 moves along a path in a weft direction 28. As illustrated in Figures 1 B and 1 C, the path of the weft thread 26 starts in the area of the beginning of the path and therefore also in the area of an insertion side 22, where the path of the weft thread 26 enters the shed 12, to an opposite arrival side 24 in the area of the end of the path, where the path of the weft thread 26 leaves the shed 12.

[0033] As soon as the insertion device 20 has inserted a weft thread 26 into the opened shed 12, the reciprocating beating-up device 7, usually in the form of a reed which is arranged on a reciprocating sley, will beat this weft thread 26 against the fabric edge 8 of the fabric being formed, in many cases also referred to as beat-up. This weft thread 26 is subsequently bound in by the warp threads 14 when the warp threads 14 are moved to a subsequent shed 12 with a subsequent pattern by the shed-forming elements 10. As schematically illustrated, the weft thread 26 is supplied on the insertion device 20 from a spool 27. However, it is clear that suitable weft-preparation devices, such as a prewinder, a weft brake, a tension compensator and other devices can be arranged between the spool 27 and the insertion device 20. Furthermore, it is also clear that several insertion devices 20 may be present at the insertion side 22 of the shed 12, for example in order to alternately insert weft threads of different types or colours into the shed 12.

[0034] As illustrated in Figures 1 A-1 E, the weaving machine 2 also comprises a frame 30. This frame 30 comprises a first lateral support 32 arranged in the area of the insertion side 22. The frame 30 furthermore also comprises a second lateral support 34 arranged in the area of the arrival side 24. As illustrated, these lateral supports 32, 34 extend almost along a plane parallel to a plane formed by the warp direction 18 and the shed-forming direction 48 and almost transversely to the weft direction 28. In the exemplary embodiment, both lateral supports 32, 34 are connected to each other in the weft direction 28 by means of a transverse profile 36. [0035] As can further be seen in Figures 1 A-1 E, on top of the frame 30 of the weaving machine 2 an intermediate support 50 is arranged, onto which the shed-forming device 40 is attached. The intermediate support 50 comprises a first lateral intermediate support 52 and a second lateral intermediate support 54 which, according to this exemplary embodiment, extend almost transversely to the weft direction 28 in the area of the respective lateral supports 32, 34 of the weaving machine 2. In this case, the first lateral intermediate support 52 is arranged on the first lateral support 32. The fragment in Figure 1 D, which is a side view of the first lateral support 32 and lateral intermediate support 52 in the area of the insertion side 22, schematically shows that according to this embodiment the first lateral support 32 is connected to the first lateral intermediate support 52 by means of connecting elements at connecting points 62, 63, such as for example a suitable bolt connection. It is clear that alternative connecting elements are possible, such as for example clamping elements, a welded joint and other suitable connecting elements. The fragment in Figure 1 E, which is a similar side view to that from Figure 1 D, but of the second lateral support 34 and second lateral intermediate support 54 in the area of the arrival side 24, also schematically shows that, according to this embodiment, the second lateral intermediate support 54 is arranged on the second lateral support 34 by means of connecting elements at connecting points 64, 65, such as for example a suitable bolt connection or by means of other suitable connecting elements. According to this exemplary embodiment, the intermediate support 50 furthermore also comprises a transverse profile 56, which extends between the first lateral intermediate support 52 and the second lateral intermediate support 54, and onto which the shed-forming device 40 is attached. The first lateral intermediate support 52, the second lateral intermediate support 54 and the transverse profile 56 may be attached to one another by bolt connections, by welded joints or by any other suitable connection in order together to form the intermediate support 50.

[0036] It can clearly be seen, more particularly in the fragments illustrated in Figures 1 D and 1 E, that according to this exemplary embodiment the first lateral intermediate support 52 and the second lateral intermediate support 54 differ with regard to this side view. According to this exemplary embodiment, these are lateral intermediate supports 52, 54 which are arranged transversely to the weft direction 28, which extend in the warp direction 18 and shed-forming direction 48, but as will be mentioned with regard to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, according to an alternative, the lateral intermediate supports 52, 54 can be arranged at a certain angle with respect to the shed-forming direction 48. According to an embodiment (not shown), the lateral intermediate supports 52, 54 can also be arranged at a certain angle with respect to the warp direction 18. In such cases, it is sufficient that the respective orthogonal projections, in the weft direction 28 on a plane determined by the warp direction 18 and the shed-forming direction 48, differ from the first lateral intermediate support 52 and the second lateral intermediate support 54. This means that with the intermediate support 50, the respective orthogonal projections or side views, in the weft direction 28 on a plane determined by the warp direction 18 and the shed-forming direction 48, of the first lateral intermediate support 52 and the second lateral intermediate support 54 differ from each other. As a result of this asymmetric construction, according to the exemplary embodiment both in the shed-forming direction 48 and in the warp direction 18, of both intermediate supports, the vibrations generated by for example the beating-up device 7 of the weaving machine 2, the shed-forming device 40, the shed-forming elements 10 and other devices are exchanged between the shed-forming device 40 and the weaving machine 2 via the intermediate support 50 in a less uniform manner. In this case it concerns in particular the vibrations, almost in the warp direction 18, which are generated for example by the beating-up device 7 and which are mainly exchanged in a less uniform manner with the shed-forming device 40 due to the asymmetric construction in the warp direction 18 of both lateral intermediate supports 52, 54. Hence, the risk of oscillation phenomena is advantageously reduced, as a result of which the intermediate support 50 can advantageously position the shed-forming device 40 on top of the weaving machine 2. In addition, the accessibility of the weft thread in the area of the insertion side 22 is increased and the required stability in the area of the arrival side 24 can be achieved.

[0037] As is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 A-1 D, the first lateral intermediate support 52 only extends in the warp direction 18 at one first side 18A of the path of the weft thread 26. This first side 18A is located at the warp side 15. As is illustrated, it is sufficient that this is only the case in the area of the path of the weft thread 26 in the shed-forming direction 48. This means that once the first lateral intermediate support 52 in the shed-forming direction 48 is distanced sufficiently above or below the path of the weft thread 26, the first lateral intermediate support 52 can also extend in the warp direction 18 at a second side 18B of the path of the weft thread 26, wherein this second side 18B is located at the fabric side 16. It is clear that alternative embodiments are possible wherein the first lateral intermediate support 52 is completely located at this first side 18A of the path of the weft thread. In this way an ergonomic intermediate support 50 is realized which does not hamper the operator of the weaving machine 2 when carrying out his tasks in the area of the path of the weft thread 26.

[0038] As is furthermore also clearly illustrated in Figures 1 A-1 E, the second lateral intermediate support 54 extends in the warp direction 18 on either side of the path of the weft thread 26, which means on both the first side 18A which is located at the warp side 15 and at the second side 18B which is located at the fabric side 16. Although in the illustrated exemplary embodiment this is the case for the complete second lateral intermediate support 54, it is sufficient if the second lateral intermediate support 54, in the area of the path of the weft thread 26 in the shed-forming direction 48, extends in the warp direction 18, both at the first side 18A of the path of the weft thread 26 and at the second side 18B of the path of the weft thread 26. This makes it possible to form a wide support surface for the second lateral intermediate support 54 on the second lateral support 34 of the weaving machine 2, as a result of which the forces resulting from the bending moment generated by the weight and the forces generated by the shed-forming device 40 can be absorbed more easily. This ensures that fewer deformations and vibrations of the intermediate support 50 occur, more particularly in the warp direction 18, as a result of which the risk of oscillations is likewise reduced and the positioning of the shed-forming device 40 during operation of the weaving machine 2 can be better guaranteed.

[0039] The embodiment of the support assembly 1 with an intermediate support 50 illustrated in Figure 1 A-1 E, wherein in the area of the path of the weft thread 26 in the shed- forming direction 48, the second lateral intermediate support 54 extends further in the warp direction 18 in the direction of the fabric side 16 than the first lateral intermediate support 52, achieves a maximum accessibility of the path of the weft thread 26 at the insertion side 22 and a maximum support surface and an additional synergetic effect at the arrival side 24, in particular due to the different construction of both lateral intermediate supports 52, 54 in the warp direction 18, wherein the risk of oscillations, which influence the position of the shed-forming device 40, is reduced.

[0040] As is schematically illustrated in the fragment in Figure 1 D, the first lateral intermediate support 52 is connected to the first lateral support 32 at a front connection point

62 in the warp direction 18, and a rear connection point 63. In this case the front connection point 62 in the warp direction 18 is located mainly on the fabric side 16. The rear connection point 63 in the warp direction 18 is located mainly on the warp side 15, as illustrated. It is clear that, according to a variant embodiment, any suitable number of additional connection points may be present between the front connection point 62 and the rear connection point

63 which are situated between this front connection point 62 and this rear connection point 63 in the warp direction 18. As is indicated schematically in the fragment in Figure 1 E, the second lateral intermediate support 54 is connected to the second lateral support 34 at a front connection point 64 in the warp direction 18 and rear connection point 65. The front connection point 64 in the warp direction 18 is in this case located mainly on the fabric side 16. The rear connection point 65 in the warp direction 18 is located mainly on the warp side 15. Also in this case, any suitable number of additional connection points may be present according to variant embodiments which are located between this front connection point 64 and rear connection point 65 in the warp direction 18. It is clear from the illustration in Figures 1 A-1 E that with the intermediate support 50 of this embodiment, the front connection point 64 of the second lateral intermediate support 54 is located closer to the fabric side 16 in the warp direction 18 than the front connection point 62 of the first lateral intermediate support 52. By arranging the front connection points 62, 64 and the rear connection points 63, 65 of the respective lateral intermediate supports 52, 54 differently in the warp direction 18, the improved ergonomics of the first lateral intermediate support 52 and the increased resistance to the bending moment of the second lateral intermediate support 54 as well as the synergetic effect in which the risk of oscillations is reduced are enhanced.

[0041 ] Figures 2A and 2B show similar side views to those from Figures 1 D and 1 E of the respective lateral intermediate supports 52, 54 of an alternative embodiment. As can be seen, the support surface of the lateral supports 32, 34 of the weaving machine 2 is no longer situated in one substantially horizontal plane. There are various zones which are situated at different heights in the shed-forming direction 48. As can be seen in Figure 2, the shape of the first lateral intermediate support 52 in the area of the support surface of the first lateral support 32 is almost identical to the shape of the first lateral intermediate support from Figure 1 . In this case, the two connection points 62, 63 of the first lateral intermediate support 52 in the shed-forming direction 48 are arranged at a different height. In this way, it is possible to create a greater distance between the connection points 62, 63, which makes it possible to reduce the forces generated by the bending moment in these connection points 62, 63. As is illustrated, according to this exemplary embodiment, the front connection point 62 and the rear connection point 63 of the first lateral intermediate support 52 are preferably arranged at a different height in the shed-forming direction 48. In this case, it is also advantageous to arrange the front connection point 62 of the first lateral intermediate support 52 higher in the shed-forming direction 48 than the rear connection point 63 of the first lateral intermediate support 52, since this maximizes the distance between the rear connection point 63 and the front connection point 62, so that the forces which act on these connection points 62 and 63 are still further reduced. Maximizing these respective distances in order to absorb bending moments is particularly important in the case of the first lateral intermediate support 52, as, compared to the second lateral intermediate support 54, the connection points 62, 63 are normally arranged closer together in the warp direction 18 in order to keep the path of the weft thread accessible. However, as is illustrated in Figure 2B, it is also possible to arrange connection points 64, 65, 66 at different height in the shed-forming direction 48 with the second lateral intermediate support 54. As can be seen, here the front connection point 64 and the rear connection point 65 are located at an identical height, but an intermediate connection point 66 is arranged higher, similar to the front connection point 62 of the first lateral intermediate support 52. The connection point 62 is provided in the area of a support element 67 which is arranged on the first lateral support 32, and the connection point 66 is provided in the area of a support element 68 that is arranged on the second lateral support 34. The support elements 67 and 68 may be connected relative to each other by a transverse support which extends in the weft direction and on which for example push buttons and signal elements are arranged.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a partial representation of a number of elements of the embodiment from Figure 1 C. The location of the centre of gravity 42 of the shed-forming device 40 is herein indicated. In order to realize a support assembly 1 having maximum stability, in particular in the warp direction 18, it is advantageous to position the connection points of the intermediate support 50 in such a way that the orthogonal projection along the shed-forming direction 48 on a plane determined by the weft direction 28 and the warp direction 18 of the centre of gravity 42 of the shed-forming device 40 is located within the orthogonal projection of the polygon 69, more particularly the quadrangle formed by the front connection point 62 and the rear connection point 63 of the first lateral intermediate support 52 and the front connection point 64 and the rear connection point 65 of the second lateral intermediate support 54. Such a positioning of the connection points with respect to the centre of gravity 42 of the shed-forming device 40 ensures namely that the forces resulting from a bending moment in the area of these connection points are reduced, so that the stability of the support assembly 1 is increased.

[0043] In figure 4 a perspective view of a further embodiment is illustrated, similar to the embodiment from Figures 2A and 2B and identical parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The main difference with the schematic embodiments of the previous embodiments is the fact that, as can be seen, the lateral intermediate supports 52, 54, in addition to a part which extends transversally to the weft direction 28, also comprise parts extended in the weft direction 28, so that the intermediate support 50 of the support assembly 1 achieves a sufficiently high stiffness in the plane formed by the weft direction 28 and the shed-forming device 40 in order to resist or absorb forces resulting from oscillations, bending moments and the weight of the shed-forming device 40. [0044] It will be clear that further variant embodiments are possible, wherein the support assembly 1 generally comprises an intermediate support 50 which can be arranged on top of the weaving machine 2, wherein the intermediate support 50 is asymmetrical, so that in this way the risk of oscillations, in particular oscillations in the warp direction, can be reduced. It will furthermore also be clear that embodiments wherein the asymmetrically formed intermediate support 50 in the area of the path of the weft thread 26 leaves the intermediate support 50 free on at least one side of the path of the weft thread 26 in order to guarantee the accessibility of the weft thread 26. In addition, it is also the case that in the area of a location which is located, in the weft direction 28, beyond the path of the weft thread 26, the intermediate support 50 extends to a maximum degree on either side of the path of the weft thread 26 in order to increase the stability.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiments, the insertion side 22 is shown on the left and the arrival side 24 is shown on the right, wherein the weft direction 28 is from left to right. It will be clear that, according to a variant (not shown), the insertion side 22 may be situated on the right and the arrival side 24 may be situated on the left, wherein the weft direction is then from right to left.

[0046] It will be clear that further variants and combinations of the above-described embodiments which fall under the claims are possible.