US Patent 7191717 Modular gauge block assembly with secure lateral pins

Lateral pins (20) are used to provide a tufting machine modular gauge assembly that allows damaged or broken gauge elements (10) to be replaced individually. The modular gauge assembly consists of a gauge bar (25) with a plurality of modular blocks (15) removably attached to the bar. The modular blocks are six sided with a detent (110) and fastener mechanism (65) for attaching the block to the gauge bar. The gauge elements may be attached to the block by dedicated screw-pins (145) or by a lateral pin (20) that passes through all the gauge elements within a block. The lateral pin may either pierce the gauge elements (at 70) or abut the gauge elements. Abutting pins may be malleable and segmented and secured in position by set screws.