Gripper with dual-insert body

Abstract

In order to reduce or to prevent wear on the tufting gripper ( 16 ) at the contact point with the tufting needle ( 18 ), an additional insert 28 is provided in addition to a wear-resistant cutting insert ( 27 ), said additional insert ( 28 ) being directed at interacting with the tufting needle ( 18 ). Said additional insert consists of a material that, paired with the tufting needle ( 18 ), forms an optimal sliding combination. Preferably, the additional insert ( 28 ) is a soft needle-saving insert. Preferably, the cutting insert ( 27 ) is a hard wear-resistant insert. The two inserts ( 27, 28 ) may be accommodated separately in different pockets ( 36, 37 ) or together in one pocket ( 31 ). They may be connected with each other or be made in one piece.

1 . Tufting gripper ( 16 ,  44 ) for a tufting machine, comprising:
 a gripper body ( 19 );   a cutting insert ( 27 ) having a hard-material surface ( 32 ); and,   an additional insert ( 28 ) having a surface ( 34 ), said surface being different from the hard-material surface ( 32 ).   
     
     
         2 . Tufting gripper as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the cutting insert ( 27 ) has a cutting edge ( 26 ). 
     
     
         3 . Tufting gripper as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the cutting insert ( 27 ) is inserted and secured in a pocket ( 31 ,  36 ) of the gripper body ( 19 ). 
     
     
         4 . Tufting gripper as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the additional insert ( 28 ) has a surface ( 34 ), said surface consisting of a material displaying different sliding properties than the hard-material surface ( 32 ) of the cutting insert ( 27 ). 
     
     
         5 . Tufting gripper as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the additional insert ( 28 ) is inserted and secured in a pocket ( 31 ,  37 ) of the gripper body ( 19 ). 
     
     
         6 . Tufting gripper as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the cutting insert ( 27 ) and the additional insert ( 28 ) are firmly connected with each other and form a combined unit ( 30 ), said unit being provided with the hard-material surface ( 32 ) and the surface ( 34 ) that is different from the hard-material surface ( 32 ). 
     
     
         7 . Tufting gripper as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the cutting insert ( 27 ) is arranged on one side ( 21 ) of the gripper body ( 19 ) and the other insert ( 28 ) is arranged on the other side ( 20 ) of the gripper body ( 19 ). 
     
     
         8 . Tufting gripper as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the cutting insert ( 27 ) and/or the additional insert ( 28 ) are connected with the gripper body ( 19 ) in a material-bonding manner. 
     
     
         9 . Tufting gripper as in  claim 8 , characterized in that spacer means ( 41 ) are provided on the cutting insert ( 27 ) and/or on the additional insert ( 28 ) in order to ensure a minimum joint thickness for the material-bonding connection.