Method And Means Of Threading And Implanting Tufting Yarn

Abstract

A tufting method and apparatus having a multicolor selection capability whereby the yarn color may be changed during each tufting cycle and in which needle means are supplied with yarn by reciprocable threader tubes in which each tube threads the eye of each needle and retracts leaving a length of yarn deposited therein. For the yarn so deposited, one of its ends is implanted in the backing from the preceding tufting cycle with the other end extending to the yarn source from which it has been transported to the threader tube. From this position the yarn loop extending through the needle may be either cut to produce cut pile or to enable a change in color to be made; or the yarn loop may be tufted to produce a loop pile product.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the tufting of rugs and carpets and the like and provides a method and apparatus for making a denser tufted pile and also providing the means for changing yarn color during each tufting cycle, thereby enabling the production of a tufted product of a relatively greater pile density and having intricate and fancy designs as may be programmed from a selected pattern. Pneumatic transportation of the yarn may be employed as will be seen.

2. Prior Art

Apparatus disclosed herein makes use in part of the principles and teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,147 which issued to Abram N. Spanel and George J. Brennan on Jan. 12, 1971 and U.S. Pat. No. Re. 27,165 which issued Aug. 10, 1971 to Abram N. Spanel and Loy E. Barton.

In Reissue U.S. Pat. No. 27,165 there is disclosed means to transport yarn strands and yarn bits by pneumatic pressure and to thread them into bit-applying means which place the yarn bits into tufting relationship with a backing layer. Multi-color selection is available for each tufting stroke and such is permitted by a magazine which laterally moves in stepping relationship to the series of yarn tubes used for feeding the yarn to the bitapplying means thereby offering a color selection to each of the yarn guide tubes.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,147 may also utilize pneumatic transportation of yarn to achieve multicolor selection for each tufting stroke. For each needle station, there are a number of cones of yarn available from which different colored yarn is selected and transported through channels which feed or lead into a common channel near the needle station. In one embodiment, yarn severing means are located adjacent the station and yarn bits may be cut before, during or after threading of the bit-applying element and before or during tufting. In a preferred embodiment of both U.S. Pat. No. Re. 27,165 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,147 a pneumatic system is utilized whereby a pneumatic chamber encloses the loading station whereas in the subject invention pneumatic pressure may be utilized to assist in the direct threading of the bit-applying elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,216,387 which issued Nov. 9, 1965, U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,675 which issued Nov. 16, 1965, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,403 which issued June 4, 1968, all to Joe T. Short, disclose the pneumatic depositing of yarn in hollow needles. The subject invention does not use hollow needles. Moreover, the Short patents do not disclose the capability of changing yarns with each tufting stroke as can be done in the subject invention.

Another disclosure which utilizes hollow needles is found in U.S. Pat No. 3,389,667 which issued June 25, 1968 to Helmet C. Mueller. While the Short patents utilize the conventional tufting loopers in taking yarn from the hollow needles, Mueller discloses an arrangement in which the yarn is cut while still in the hollow tube-like needle. Once the yarn is fed into Mueller's needle he lacks the means to withdraw it, and therefore, multi-color selection for each tufting cycle is neither provided for nor is feasible.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,987,019 which issued on June 6, 1961 to William Felton, tufting is not deposited through a backing layer but instead, each tuft is tied down with a binder thread onto the top surface of the backing layer. The needles of Felton do not tuft but are used to carry a binder thread which extends from the needle to the backing in such a manner that the tufting yarn passes through the space between the needle and the thread. The thread binding needle withdraws through the backing causing the binder thread to secure the tufting yarn to the top surface of the backing. The tufting yarn is then cut to make Felton's tufts.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,393,653 which issued July 23, 1968 to Ronald Ellison discloses a multi-color selection process in which a mechanical gripper member moves through the eyes of a forked needle, mechanically grips a selected yarn strand, draws it into the needle eyes at which time the strand is released by the gripper, then severed from its source, and tufted. Pneumatic pressure is not utilized in this system as in the subject invention. Therefore, the Ellison device is obviously slower in its ability to produce tufted carpet yardage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a method and apparatus for tufting in which a multi-color selection for each tufting cycle is provided with the speed of economical manufacture.

It is yet another object of the subject invention to provide a tufting machine in which yarn is directly threaded into bit-applying means by the use of guide means assisted by pneumatic pressure.

It is another object of the subject invention to provide a tufting machine in which tufting yarn in the feeding and threading system is in part positively controlled by pneumatic means.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a method of tufting in which parts of two yarn strands may be positioned in the same eye of a needle.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method of tufting in which parts of two yarn strands may be positioned in the same eye of a needle, with one strand being made of yarn extending from a previous tuft.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a method of tufting which includes the steps of inserting a loop of yarn through the eye of a needle, cutting the loop after insertion, and implanting the ends of the loop made from the cut yarn loop in the backing layer.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method of tufting in which double strands of yarn are threaded through the eye of a needle in a tufting machine such that two yarns of different color may be tufted at one time and such that a color change may be made during one tufting cycle by changing the color of one of the strands through the eye of the needle.

In accordance with the subject invention, there is provided a tufting machine having needles disposed widthwise across the machine and connected to a needle moving means such as a conventional needle bar. For each needle there is multi-color yarn selection continually available, the colors being selected by any of a number of color-selecting techniques. The yarn pre-feed and metering system as disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,147 is one way to provide the color selection. Although the use of the term "positive pressure" and not "suction" is described throughout, both, or a combination of the two, are contemplated to transport the yarn to the tufting station. When a particular yarn is selected and released by the yarn metering device, it is transported by pneumatic means into a threader tube which is aligned with the eye of the corresponding needle. The threader tube may be made to move through the eye thereby threading the needle which may be at that time penetrating the backing. In the case of the first tufting stroke for a new series of yarn, after the yarn has been guided through the eye of the needle with the aid of the threader tube, the needle may withdraw through the backing pulling the end of the yarn strand through the backing and releasing it, leaving a single end yarn tuft (cut pile) penetrating the backing. The needle then penetrates the backing in the next position to receive the next supply of yarn.

Once a single end of the yarn is implanted in the backing layer, the threader tube assists in feeding the succeeding yarn supply through the needle in such a manner that it is looped so that a double portion extends through the eye, one part extending from the threader tube and one part extending from the backing. The needle may then withdraw through the backing pulling the yarn that is threading its eye, through the backing. Thus, with a single stroke, two yarn ends or a yarn loop is pulled through the backing and extend through one piercing hole. The needle is withdrawn sufficiently to allow the tufted yarn to be free so that the needle may then penetrate the backing layer for the next stroke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing a cross-sectional view of the tufting machine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing mechanisms for moving the needles and the threader tube;

FIGS. 3 through 9 are sequential cross-sectional side views which show the tufting of the first strand of yarn of a series as follows:

FIG. 3 shows the yarn in the threader tube;

FIG. 4 shows the threader tube penetrating the needle through its eye;

FIG. 5 shows the retraction of the threader tube leaving the yarn in the needle eye;

FIG. 6 shows the withdrawal of the needle pulling the yarn strand through the backing layer;

FIG. 7 shows the release of the yarn by the needle;

FIG. 8 shows the needle penetrating the backing in a new position;

FIG. 9 shows the needle in loading position for start of the next cycle.

FIGS. 10 through 17 are sequential cross-sectional side views which show the second and succeeding cycles for producing cut pile and for changing color with any desired cycle after a single strand of yarn has been implanted during the first cycle as follows:

FIG. 10 shows the threader tube guiding the yarn strand loop into the needle eye;

FIG. 11 shows the yarn strand loop severed by the blade when the threader tube is at the end of its forward motion;

FIG. 12 shows the threader tube retracting;

FIG. 13 shows the threader tube in its retracted position leaving two strands of yarn in the needle eye;

FIG. 14 shows the needle withdrawing through the backing;

FIG. 15 shows the tufted strands after release by the needle;

FIG. 16 shows the needle penetrating the backing in a new position;

FIG. 17 shows the needle in loading position for start of the next cycle;

FIG. 18 shows a sample of one of the products available from the tufting machine of the subject invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view showing a loop being threaded into a needle eye for loop pile tufting;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view showing the loop pile tuft resulting from withdrawal of the needle in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a threader tube the end of which has a cutting notch;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view showing a feeder tube positioned adjacent the needle means and a loop of yarn being pneumatically transported into the needle eye from the feeder tube; and

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional side view similar to FIG. 22 and showing the needle eye fully threaded by the pneumatically transported yarn loop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, creel 10 has a group of five spools 10R, 10W, 10B, 10G, and 10Y respectively providing, for example, a supply source of red, white, blue, green and yellow yarn as illustrated by yarn strands R, W, B, G, and Y. It is to be understood that while five yarn sources are shown for each tufting station, this number is not to be considered limiting in any respect.

From the cones of yarn of creel 10, the yarn strands, R, W, B, G and Y are pulled by metering device 12 which preferably comprises a plurality of brakes 12A, 12B, and 12C and yarn-pullers 12X and 12Y. The yarnmetering device 12 operates substantially as described in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,147 and for the purposes of this patent it suffices to say that a supply of yarn of the desired length may be fed to the loading station 20 as is needed for a tufting stroke and that excess yarn not used in the tufting cycle may be drawn back from the loading station 20 to effect a color change preparatory to the next stroke.

As shown in FIG. 1 the yarn extends from the metering device 12 through yarn guides 11 to tubes 16 which are shown extending into a pneumatic pressure block 30 (which provides the tubes with positive air supply) and an optional Venturi block 32. Leaving the optional Venturi block 32 are tubes 34 which extend to the reciprocating threader tube complex 17 reciprocable by carriage means 70 with the actual threader tube 18 being shown here as extending through eye 24 of the single needle 22. The exit ends 35 of the tubes 34 are separated by dividers 19 which serve to guide the yarn strands to threader tube 18 and prevent entanglement of the yarn ends. As shown in FIG. 1 the dividers 19 may be attached to the rear wall 21 of the threader complex 17. The needle 22 which can broadly be referred to as a bitapplying means is shown as connected to needle driving means 23 which may be a needle bar. The backing B extends from the supply roll 27 to the idler roll 28 and the drive roll 29 and is supported by support 14 extending from frame 15 in the needle 22 vicinity. The backing B is further supported by comb-like members 13 which project from support 14 and extend through the spaces between the needles 22.

Cutting mechanism 40 is shown adjacent the threader tube 18 when it is in its innermost or forward position. The yarn strands may be cut at this point after being threaded through the needle 22, as will hereinafter be described.

When a yarn brake or clamp in the position of 12C is released, the air moving from pressure block 30 will pneumatically transport the additonal yarn through the tube portions 16 and 34, through threader complex 17 and into the threader tube 18. Optional Venturi block 32 may be used to assist in pulling the yarn from the metering device 12.

The FIG. 2 schematic shows driving mechanisms which may be used for driving the principle parts of the tufting machine. Needle bar 23 is mounted on push rod 50 at the push rod foot 52. At the push-rod housing 54, push rod 50 is connected to drag link 56 by pin 58. Drag link 56 in turn is joined to the needle rocker arm 60 by pin 62. The needle rocker arm 60 receives its motion from needle rocker shaft 64 which may be cam driven.

The tube threading block or threader tube complex 17 is mounted to yarn feed carriage 70 which receives its lateral motion through drag link 72 which is joined to the yarn feed carriage by pin 74 and is joined to yarn feed rocker arm 76 by pin 78. Yarn feed rocker arm 76 receives its motion from yarn rocker shaft 80 which may be cam driven.

A single motor (not shown) may drive the entire device through a suitable transmission (not shown) and appropriate shafts and connections as is disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,147. This includes yarn rocker shaft 80, needle rocker shaft 64, backing drive roll 29 (see FIG. 1), the mechanism (not shown) for cutter 40, the mechanism (not shown) preferably for generating pulses for pattern readout, and the yarn metering mechanism 12.

With reference to FIGS. 3 through 17, the yarn threading and tufting sequence is shown. FIGS. 3 through 10 show the sequence by which a first strand of yarn of a series is implanted in the backing layer B. In FIG. 3, at the start of the cycle a selected yarn strand is shown in threader tube 18. At this point the motion of the threader tube has not commenced and the backing is stationary. In FIG. 4, threader 18 moves forward as yarn metering device 12 releases yarn and the air flow assists in carrying the yarn forward with tube 18. As shown threader 18 in its forward position is threading needle 22 through needle eye 24. In FIG. 5, threader tube 18 retracts back through needle eye 24 as the continuing air flow maintains the yarn strand in its forward position extending through needle eye 24. FIG. 6 shows the needle 22 as it starts its withdrawal motion to implant the first end of yarn in the backing B. In FIG. 7, needle 22 is at the point of maximum withdrawal. The yarn end is fully implanted in the backing B and free of the needle eye 24. At this time, the backing B may move forward to its next position for the next tufting cycle, which means tufting the next row of tufts.

With respect to FIG. 8, the backing B has moved a notch forward and needle 22 is shown penetrating through the backing and moving toward its loading position. A clamp 97 is shown positioned above the backing B and adjacent to the tufting station. The clamp 97 as shown is a shiftable clamp which will bear against the last completed tuft to prevent it from being pulled from the backing by the threader tube 18 as it threads needle 22 for the next tufting stroke. Clamp 97 may be a standard rocker type clamp as well as the shifting type shown. In FIG. 9 needle 22 is in its load position and ready for the start of the second tufting cycle. At the end of this first cycle, it will be noted that only a single end of yarn is implanted in the backing. The clamp 97 is shown in its clamping position in FIG. 9. The following cycles will each implant two ends of yarn even when a different color is selected during the cycle.

FIGS. 10 through 17 show the sequence for the second and all following tufting cycles. Once an end of yarn is implanted as shown in FIG. 9, and needle 22 returns to its load position, the next cycle as shown in FIG. 10 begins by threader tube 18 moving forward and physically pushing the yarn which extends in the front end of tube 18, assisted by pneumatic means.

It will be noted that a loop of yarn is thus formed with both strands that form the loop extending through needle eye 24, one end having been implanted in the backing B on the last cycle and the other end extending from the yarn source, namely one of the five cones of yarn of creel 10 as shown in FIG. 1. At this time with the loop extending through the needle eye 24, portion Y extending to the yarn source is within threader tube 18 while portion Y' extending to the backing B is threaded in needle eye 24 but on the outside of threader tube 18.

With reference to FIG. 11, the end of the forward motion of threader tube 18, the yarn may be cut if a multi-colored cut pile or a plain colored cut pile product is desired, by cutting device 40 which may be any of a number of cutting devices such as a continuous band saw, a laser cutter, or an oscillating type of cutter, etc. which latter moves forward as threader tube 18 reaches its extended position. If a band saw is used, the threader tube may have a notch 99 cut into its bottom portion to allow the cutter to extend into the notch through the plane representing the end of the tube where the yarn is doubled over to form a loop (see FIG. 22).

Once the yarn strand has been cut, leaving portion Y implanted in backing layer B, and portion Y' in threader tube 18, a color change if one is desired can be made. If a color change is to be made in the yarn, it is done through the action of yarn puller 12Y of metering device 12 which when actuated will pull the yarn strand back despite the pneumatic thrust directed against the backward motion of the yarn. Once the yarn strand is pulled back another yarn strand can be selected and fed forward to the threader tube 18 which is preferably left in its forward position with the yarn change being made solely by the metering device 12 and the pneumatic transport. It is possible to retract threader tube 18 and then have it move forward with the newly selected yarn strand, but this maneuver is unnecessary. Once the newly selected yarn strand has been fed forward, threader tube 18 retracts from needle eye 24, (FIG. 12), leaving two strands of yarns of different colors extending through needle eye 24, as shown in FIG. 13.

If the yarn color is not to be changed after the cut has been made, then threader tube 18 simply retracts as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, leaving two ends of yarn of the same color in the needle eye 24 ready for tufting.

The next steps are the same whether the color has been changed or not. FIG. 14 shows the needle starting its withdrawal motion to implant both ends of the yarn in backing B. When the needle 22 reaches the point of maximum withdrawal, FIG. 15, both ends of yarn are fully implanted and free of needle eye 24. At this time, clamp 97 is released and backing B moves forward a notch.

Once the backing has moved forward, as shown in FIG. 16, the needle 22 moves up toward its load position, penetrating the backing B. When it reaches its load position, as shown in FIG. 17, it is ready for the start of the next cycle. All of the succeeding cycles are repeats of this second cycle as shown in FIGS. 10 through 17.

It can be appreciated that if one wishes to make a single color tufted rug, there is no need to cut the yarn and a single color loop pile rug may be made by continuously feeding lengths of the same colored yarn forward from yarn-metering device 12. Instead of needle 22 pulling through backing B yarn that has been cut into two strands Y and Y', it will pull through a loop of yarn to form a loop pile. FIG. 19 shows threader tube 18 retracting, leaving such a loop of yarn in needle eye 24 for tufting. The steps are essentially identical to those of FIG. 10 through 17, however, cutter 40 is not used to cut the loop into the two strands. As shown in FIG. 20 the needle withdraws through the backing and its withdrawal causes the loop to be released by the needle eye forming a loop pile tuft as shown.

As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23, the threader tube may be replaced by a feeder tube 98 which may be reciprocable or stationary and which in its feeding position is aligned with needle eye 24 of needle 22. If feeder tube 98 is stationary, it remains in this adjacent position with a very small tolerance between its end and needle 22. As is shown in FIG. 22, a tuft is implanted in the backing B and a succeeding length of yarn is being pneumatically transported by the air flow through feeder tube 98 into needle eye 24 to form a loop for tufting. FIG. 23 shows the loop in its fully threaded position and it can be seen that needle 22 may now withdraw through backing B leaving the loop deposited therein. While this embodiment is particularly well suited for producing loop pile, it will be appreciated that the loop once threaded may be cut to produce cut pile tufts enabling multi-color selection as described in earlier embodiments.

In a further preferred embodiment the steps of the above paragraph may be followed with the yarn loop being cut by a laser or other conventional means once it has been threaded with the strand that extends to the yarn source then being replaced by another colored strand of yarn as described in the FIG. 11 description.

The threader tubes 18 may be of a variety of designs as, for example, the side walls of the tube may be relatively thin, approximately 0.005 of an inch and the top and bottom of the tubes may be somewhat thicker to provide for the dimensional strength required because of the length of the tube. An added advantage of this type of design is that it can be made to relate well to the dimensions of the needle and its eye, since the width of the needle and correspondingly the width of the eye must be kept minimal, needle narrowness and closeness in spacing often being a factor in achieving denseness of pile.

The threader tube 22 may be manufactured by a variety of methods and may comprise a variety of materials, one such combination being to use an injected molded plastic material.

As shown in FIG. 1, an optional Venturi block may be used below the initial tube openings. The primary purpose for using one or more Venturi may be to facilitate the yarn feed. This may eliminate the need for a mechanical device to transport the yarn at one or more locations.

As noted above, if a color change is made it occurs during the tuft cycle so that in one penetration of the backing by a needle, there will be emerging from the same needle piercing hole, two ends of the yarn, one end being of the first color and the second end being of the newly selected color. During a normal color change, after a cut has been made in the old or first yarn, this yarn will be withdrawn and replaced with a yarn of different color during one tufting cycle, to produce a product with two single yarn strands of different color emerging from one hole in the backing B. The old or first yarn will be pulled back by a pull-back mechanism of the type disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,147. The threader tube 18 may be left in its forward position, the yarn being pulled back by the pull-back device shown schematically for example as 12Y previously described. The pneumatic thrust may continue during this operation and the yarn will be pulled back against this pneumatic thrust. The clamp or brake 12C is released from the newly selected yarn which is then transported by the pneumatic means shown.

An alternative method to the one described above of changing the yarn color is to withdraw the initial yarn, allow the machine to complete its tufting cycle with only the one end of the initial color in the eye of the needle, and then on the next cycle advance the new color as is shown in FIGS. 3 through 9 supplying only a single end for that next penetration of the needle. Thus, the tufting product would have the appeal of having a density change at the line of color change since each of the two succeeding needle penetrations would have only one end of yarn each emerging therefrom instead of the customary two.

With reference to FIG. 18, the product of the tufting machine disclosed herein is shown. Several important features of the tufted article of FIG. 18 should be noted. The multi-color selection capability enables the tufted product to have a random color effect, as shown, in FIG. 18 and also enables the production of intricate designs in colors when the machine is so programmed.

While various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. The appended claims are, therefore, intended to define the true scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A tufting machine for forming tufts with respect to a backing comprising:

bit-applying means positioned adjacent said backing when in a threading position;

threader tube means positioned transversely to said bit-applying means;

mechanism for reciprocating said threader tube means to deposit yarn strands into bit-applying position relative to said bit-applying means;

pneumatic means operatively connected to said threader tube means for threading said bit-applying means;

strand-severing means adjacent said threading position;

means operating said strand-severing means to sever said yarn strands after threading of said bit-applying means leaving severed yarn in threaded relation with said bit-applying means; and

means for reciprocating said bit-applying means for applying severed yarn to the backing to form tufts.

2. A tufting machine for forming tufts with respect to a backing comprising:

tufting-needle means positioned adjacent said backing when in a threading position;

threader tube means transversely positioned to said tufting-needle means;

mechanism for reciprocating said threader tube means relative to said needle means to engage said needle means;

pneumatic means associated with said threader tube means for feeding yarn strands through said threader tube means into said tufting-needle means when in said threading position;

strand-severing means adjacent said threading position;

means operating said strand-severing means to sever said yarn strands after the threading thereof of said tufting-needle means leaving severed yarn in threaded relation with said tufting-needle means; and

means for reciprocating said tufting-needle means for applying said severed yarn strands to the backing to form tufts.

3. A tufting machine for forming tufts with respect to a backing comprising:

tufting-needle means including needle eyes, positioned adjacent said backing when in a threading position;

threader tube means positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of said tufting-needle means;

mechanism for reciprocating said threader tube means back and forth through said needle eyes;

pneumatic means associated with said threader tube for feeding tufting yarn through said threader tube;

strand-severing means adjacent said threading position;

means operating said strand-severing means to sever said tufting yarn after threading, said threader tube means being removable from said needle eyes after the severing of said tufting yarn to leave severed yarn in threaded relation with said needle eyes; and

means for reciprocating said tufting-needle means for applying said severed yarn to the backing to form tufts.

4. A tufting machine for forming tufts through a backing comprising:

reciprocable tufting-needle means including needle eyes, said needle means being movable through the backing toward and from a threading position;

threader tube means positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of said needle means;

mechanism for reciprocating said threader tube means with respect to said needle means so as to pass through the eyes of said needle means;

pneumatic means associated with said threader tube means for repeatedly feeding tufting yarn strands through said threader tube;

strand-severing means positioned on the far side of said needle means from the direction of the feed of the yarn;

means operating said strand-severing means repeatedly to sever said tufting yarn while said threader tube is extended through said needle means to leave severed yarn in threaded relation with said tufting-needle means; and

means for operating said tufting-needle means for applying said severed yarn to the backing.

5. In a tufting machine for forming tufts through a backing:

reciprocable tufting-needle means including needle eyes, said needle means movable through the backing toward and from a threading position;

a threader tube aligned with said needle eyes;

mechanism for reciprocating said threader tube means with respect to said needles so as to pass through said needle eyes said threader tube having a cutting slot extending inwardly from an end surface;

pneumatic means associated with said threader tube for repeatedly feeding tufting yarn through said threader tube;

strand-severing means adjacent said threading position, and aligned to extend into said threader tube cutting slot passing through the plane of the end of the threader tube when said threader tube is in its threaded position;

means operating said strand-severing means to sever said tufting material to leave severed yarn in threaded relation with said tufting-needle means; and

means for operating said tufting-needle means for applying said severed yarn to the backing to form tufts.

6. In a tufting machine having needle means, pneumatic means to transport strands of yarn, a threader tube for threading said needle means with yarn and severing means for severing yarn into severed yarn lengths, the method of applying tufts to a backing comprising the steps of:

inserting said needle means through a backing;

pneumatically feeding yarn through said threader tube and feeding said threader tube and yarn through an eye in said needle means;

severing said tufting yarn when said threader tube and yarn are extending through said needle eye;

retracting said threader tube from said needle eye leaving a severed length of yarn in threaded relation with said needle means; and

withdrawing said needle means through said backing to deposit the severed length of yarn in said backing to form a tuft.

7. In a tufting machine having needle means for tufting and threading means for threading said needle means, the method of applying tufts to a backing comprising the steps of:

threading said needle means with a strand of yarn;

implanting the end of the strand of yarn in a backing layer;

rethreading said needle means by inserting the bight portion of a loop of yarn through said needle means to extend outwardly therefrom on one side of said needle means with both ends of said loop extending out of said needle means on the side opposite from which said bight portion extends, one end of the loop originating from the implanted tuft of the preceding step and the other end originating from the yarn source; and

implanting said loop in the backing layer.

8. In a tufting machine having needle means for tufting and threading means for threading said needle means, the method of applying tufts to a backing comprising the steps of:

threading said needle means by inserting the bight portion of a loop of yarn through said needle means to extend outwardly therefrom on one side of said needle means with both ends of said loop extending out of said needle means on the opposite side of said needle means from which said bight portion extends, one end of said loop being implanted in the backing layer and the second end of said loop originating from a yarn source; and

implanting said yarn loop in the backing layer by driving said needle means and its eye through the backing layer.

9. In a tufting machine having needles for tufting and threading means for threading said needles, the method of applying tufts to a backing comprising the steps of:

threading the needle eye of each said needle with a loop of yarn, one end of which is implanted in a backing layer while the second end of yarn originates from the yarn source;

cutting said loop of yarn to leave the needle eye threaded with two strands of yarn;

pushing said needle eye through the backing layer to implant the two strands of yarn in the backing layer;

releasing the yarn strands from said needle eye; and

returning said needle eye to its loading position for the next cycle.

10. In a tufting machine having needles for tufting and threading means for threading said needles, the method of applying tufts to a backing comprising the steps of:

threading the needle eye of each said needle with a loop of yarn, one end of which is implanted in a backing layer while the second end of yarn originates from the yarn source;

cutting said loop of yarn to leave the needle eye threaded with two strands of yarn;

withdrawing from the needle eye the strand of yarn originating from the yarn source;

replacing said withdrawn strand with a strand of another color in the needle eye; and

pushing the needle with its yarn filled eye through the backing layer to implant the two strands of yarn into the backing layer.

11. In a tufting machine having needle means, pneumatic means to transport strands of yarn, and a threader tube for threading said needle means with yarn, the method of applying tufts to a backing comprising the steps of:

pneumatically feeding yarn through said threader tube and feeding said threader tube through an eye of said needle means;

withdrawing said threader tube from said needle eye; and

driving said needle means through the backing to deposit the yarn into said backing.

12. In a tufting machine having needle means, pneumatic means to transport strands of yarn, a threader tube for threading said needle means with yarn and severing means for severing yarn into severed yarn lengths, the method of applying tufts to a backing comprising the steps of:

implanting an end of a yarn strand in the backing;

pneumatically feeding the yarn strand through said threader tube and feeding said threader tube through an eye in said needle means while one end of said yarn strand is already implanted in the backing;

severing said tufting yarn while it is in said needle eye;

withdrawing said threader tube from said needle eye leaving the yarn in said needle eye; and

driving said needle means through the backing to deposit the threaded yarn into the backing.

13. In a tufting machine having needle means, pneumatic means to transport strands of yarn, a threader tube for threading said needle means with yarn and severing means for severing yarn into severed yarn lengths, the method of applying multi-color tufts to a backing comprising the steps of:

implanting an end of a yarn strand in the backing;

pneumatically feeding the yarn strand through said threader tube and feeding said threader tube through an eye in said needle means while one end of said yarn strand is already implanted in the backing and the other end of the strand originates from a yarn source on the side of said needle means where said other end is implanted, thus forming a loop through said needle eye with one segment out of said threader tube and the other segment within;

severing the yarn while in said needle eye;

substituting a new color strand for that segment of yarn originating from the yarn source;

withdrawing said threader tube from said needle eye; and

driving said needle means through the backing to deposit a tuft in said backing.

14. A tufting machine for forming tufts on a backing comprising:

needle means for implanting tufts in a backing;

means for threading the needle means by inserting the bight portion of a loop of yarn through said needle means to extend outwardly therefrom on one side of said needle means with both ends of said loop extending out of said needle means on the opposite side of said needle means from which said bight portion extends, one end of said loop being implanted in the backing layer, and the second end of said loop originating from the yarn source; and

reciprocating means for causing the needle means to penetrate the backing layer to deposit said loops therein and to return to the loading position to receive the next loop of yarn.

15. A tufting machine for forming tufts on a backing comprising:

reciprocable needle means including a needle eye movable through the backing toward and from a threading position;

threader tube means positioned transversely to said needle means;

mechanism for reciprocating said threader tube means to thread said needle means with yarn strands by moving said yarn strand with said tube means into said needle eye;

pneumatic means for use in propelling the yarn strands into said needle eye to assist said threader tube in threading said needle eye; and

means for operating said needle means for applying said yarn to the backing to form tufts.

16. A tufting machine for forming tufts on a backing comprising:

reciprocable bit-applying means movable through the backing toward and from a threading position including means for causing the reciprocation thereof;

pneumatic means for use in supplying yarn to said reciprocable bit-applying means; and

means for threading said bit-applying means, said threading means acting to both physically drive the yarn by exerting pressure thereon into said bit-applying means and to act as guide means for said pneumatic means.

17. A tufting machine for forming tufts with respect to a backing comprising:

bit-applying means positioned adjacent said backing when in a threading position;

threader tube means positioned transversely to said bit-applying means;

mechanism for reciprocating said threader tube means to deposit yarn strands into bit-applying position relative to said bit-applying means;

pneumatic means for use in conjunction with the threader tube means for threading said bit-applying means, said threader tube means comprising a narrow tube-like portion for engaging the bit-applying means and an enlarged portion into which yarn supply tubes extend, said enlarged portion having further dividers contained therein to prevent entanglement of yarns fed therethrough; and

means for reciprocating said bit-applying means for applying severed yarn to the backing to form tufts.

18. The tufting machine of claim 1 in which at least one Venturi assists in feeding yarn to said bit-applying means.