Triaxial weaving machine with flexible passageways for guiding warp strands

摘要

A weaving machine for making triaxial fabrics which has a plurality of heddles arranged in weftwise rows for guiding warp strands, an arrangement for shifting warp strands weftwise during weaving, and a creel for supplying warp strands and for rotating in timed relation with the weftwise shifting of the warp strands. In accordance with the present invention, structure is provided for guiding warp strands passing from the creel to the heddles along substantially constant length paths and takes the particular form of a plurality of elongate flexible guides defining passageways through which warp strands extend, with entry end portions of the guides being arranged generally circularly and mounted for movement in timed relation with rotation of the creel and with exit end portions arranged in weftwise rows substantially aligned with the weftwise rows of heddles and mounted for movement in timed relation with weftwise shifting of the warp strands.