Apartment Investment and Management has been granted a patent for a tufting machine designed to create patterned tufted articles, such as carpets. The machine features a series of needles and gauge parts that can be selectively controlled to efficiently form yarn tufts of varying colors and types. GlobalData’s report on Apartment Investment and Management gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Apartment Investment and Management, was a key innovation area identified from patents. Apartment Investment and Management's grant share as of July 2024 was 58%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Tufting machine for forming patterned yarn tufts in carpets

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Apartment Investment and Management Co

The patent US12054868B2 describes a tufting machine designed for the efficient formation of yarn tufts in backing material. The machine features a needle bar equipped with multiple needles, a yarn feed mechanism, and a series of gauge parts positioned beneath the backing. These gauge parts are capable of moving in two directions: toward the needles to pick up yarn loops and in a second direction to adjust their position relative to the needle stroke. The machine incorporates a drive system with actuators and linkages that facilitate the movement of the gauge parts, allowing for precise control over the tufting process. A control system is programmed to synchronize the feeding of yarns with the actuation of the gauge parts, enabling the formation of tufts according to specific patterns.

Additionally, the tufting machine includes a shift mechanism for transversely moving the needle bar, enhancing its ability to present various yarns at designated stitch locations. The design allows for the selective engagement of gauge parts, which can be configured to pick up loops of yarns or remain in a retracted position to avoid yarn pick-up. The machine's actuators can include various types such as hydraulic or electric motors, and the gauge parts can be made from materials with differing hardness levels to optimize performance. The overall system is engineered to maintain a stitch rate that aligns with the desired pattern, ensuring a consistent and high-quality tufting output.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.