2 while the anvil 17 is mounted on the moveable thread guide 3 the spring 20 consequently is a tension spring the top plate 9 in this embodiment is designed in such a way that the hinge 14 comprises a spaced connection on the top side as well a on the bottom side of the gripper 1 respectively between the bottom plates 7 and 11 and the top plates 9 and 13 as the hinge point 13 really extends over the full height of the gripper however no twisting can occur when the compression point 21 is actuated the hinge point 14 can also have a continuous profile for example by using a shaft extending in a cross direction through the gripper 1 when the thread guide 3 is pushed open at the moment that the thread 5 engages the gripper 1 for instance by pushing with a cam not illustrated on the opening pressure point 21 it is possible with this latter embodiment to increase the size of the opening between the side plate 12 and the top plate 9 whereby the thread 5 can more easily penetrate into the gripper in this way for the same opening it is possible to achieve a better protection of the end 9 towards the warp threads because the top of the top plate 9 can be taken lower relative to the side plate 12 quite obviously stops which are not illustrated in the figures can also be used in order to limit the.