vicinity of the respective end position in order then to set the heddle frame 4 in motion in order therefore to initiate a shedding motion from the upper end position into the lower end position or from the lower end position into the upper end position the linear motor 12 is put into operation the sum of the effective forces of the linear motor 12 and the spring force of the leaf spring 14 in the deflected state that is to say in one of the end positions is greater than the holding force of the permanent magnets 24 and 26 respectively when the holding force of the permanent magnets 24 and 26 is overcome the motion of the heddle is brought about for the most part by the spring force of the leaf spring 14 and the linear motor 12 moves along with this motion without significantly contributing to it when the other end position is reached that is to say for example when the lower stop magnet 26 enters the effective range of the lower magnetic counter holder 32 the renewed end position is reached and the leaf spring 14 remains deflected since the force of the permanent magnet 26 in this position is greater than the restoring force of the leaf spring 14 and the linear motor 12 does not assist the.