Patent 7617845 was granted and assigned to Groz-Beckert on November, 2009 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A heald shaft (1) for coupling the shaft rods (2) with the end binders (5), having connecting joints or hinges (10) whose pivot axes (14) lie externally of the shaft rods (2) and preferably inside the end binders (5). Due to the connecting joints (10), a moment-free coupling between the shaft rods (2) and the end binders (5) is ensured. The relative pivotal motions between the shaft rods (2) and the end binders (5) appearing during operation do not generate any moment transmissions between the shaft rods (2) and the end binders (5). Preferably, the driving couplers (7) are arranged above the end binders (5) in a direct extension thereof.