DISPOSITIVO DE ACOPLAMENTO

A coupling device for the releasable connection of a lifting element, in particular of a jacquard machine, to at least one lifting element of a warp thread in a weaving machine. The preferred coupling device connects a sinker cord of a jacquard machine to a harness cord of the harness of a weaving machine. The coupling device has a first coupling part assigned to the lifting element and a second coupling part assigned to the harness cord. The coupling parts execute a radial relative movement during coupling and uncoupling. The coupling device provides for rotational alignment of the two coupling parts with one another. At least one coupling part is assigned or capable of being assigned a rotational alignment mechanism. The coupling device is used in a system which rapidly connects and disconnects many connectors at the same time. The system includes a positioning mechanism for vertically moving two positioning elements which operate the coupling devices between standby and operative positions, and for horizontally moving at least one of the positioning elements to cause the coupling parts of each coupling device to interlock and disengage. The positioning elements also cooperate with portions of at least one of the coupling parts to rotationally align the coupling parts so they may interlock.