Importance

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Abstract

A single or multiple needle bar tufting machine provided with loop forming fingers above the substrate or base fabric is used to form variable gauge fabrics by laterally shifting the needles during tufting. In this manner rows of loop stitches are formed over the loop forming fingers on the face of the substrate and rows of pile loops are formed on the back side. A variety of novel fabrics and fabrics simulating patterns heretofore only made on looms and knitting machines can be manufactured by utilizing such a tufting machine in connection with yarn feed pattern control devices, pattern control needle bar positioners, and a controllable fabric feed. The resulting fabrics offer many advantages including lower stitch rates, better substrate coverage, less resistance to sliding traffic, increased abrasion resistance, and improved draping characteristics.

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First Claim