a rectangular spacer element or spacer 58 is centrally located on the outer surface of base 54 the spacer 58 being of smaller dimensions than base 54 and approximately the thickness of the narrowed central portion or channel 70 of heddle rod 20 as seen in fig3 a flat retaining plate or head 59 is secured to the outer surface of spacer 58 by means of rivets 60 which extend through plate 59 spacer 58 base 54 and plate 51 with plate 51 retaining the rivet heads 61 with the balance of the rivet heads 61 being recessed into portion 40 the heads 61 of rivets 60 are recessed within portion 40 with the enlarged outer ends 62 being received through retainer plate 59 the plate 59 is of greater width than base 54 so that in cross section plate 59 and spacer 58 form a t adjacent each hanger 28 the heddle rod 20 is provided with a laterally extending keyhole slot formed in a large dimension opening 63 and a communicating sidewise extending smaller slot 64 the opening 63 is of sufficient dimensions to receive therethrough the retaining plate or head 59 the laterally extending slot 64 is of dimensions sufficient only to receive spacer 58 in sliding engagement therealong with the rod 20 mounted on plate 51 the underside of retaining plate 59 engages the front surface of rod 20 thus a slip joint is provided between the rod 20 and hanger 28 by means of plate 59 spacer 58 opening 63 and slot 64 as best seen in fig2 and 3 the central.