US Patent 7191804 Thread clamp for a weaving machine

A thread clamp for a weaving machine includes a clamp having at least two clamping parts between which a thread may be clamped and an actuator arranged to move the clamping parts between clamping and unclamped positions. The actuator is arranged to operate the clamp so that it moves at least in one direction by a negative fluid pressure. The actuator may be formed as a small piston that may be actuated both by positive pressure and negative pressure to move the clamp between clamping and unclamped positions.