GB145182A - Improvements in folding and measuring machines for fabrics and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

145,182. Mettler, H. W. April 7, 1919. Cuttling. - Relates to machines for laying fabrics in folds of predetermined length by a carriage oscillating between gripping- devices placed over a table, and consists of a machine adapted for any kind of fabric, driven by an hydraulic motor, adjustable abutments being provided to vary the stroke of the piston-rod and consequently of the knife carriage. The laying table 3, Fig. 1, moves in vertical ways 4, and is supported on the piston 6 by an hydraulic ram, the cylinder 5 of which is connected to a pipe 8, through which water is fed to and drawn from the cylinder under control of suitable valves, the table being lowered as the folds of fabric accumulate thereon. Above the table 3 grippers 9, Fig. 5, hold the folds by strips of card-cloth 10, the grippers being connected by arms 11 to hollow shafts 12 rotatably mounted on bars 41 held down by springs 14 connected to arms 13 thereon. The carriage 15 is oscillated in guide-ways 17 by bands 22, 23 passing round a pulley 25 oscillated by a water-pressure motor 28 of known construction, the piston 55 of which has a rack 56 meshing with a pinion 27 on the pulley shaft 26. The carriage has rotatably-mounted knife-bars 19, 20, between which the fabric passes from the guide B, to insert the fabric beneath the grippers, the knives being turned into the horizontal position at the ends of the stroke by toothed connexion to a bar 36 sliding in a disk 37 rotatably mounted on a bolt sliding in a slotted bearing 38 on the frame. To facilitate the insertion, the grippers 9 are lifted against the springs 14 by a chain 33, fixed to an arm on one shaft 12 and to a disk on the other, and running over a pulley 32 on shaft 26. The springs 14 meanwhile exert a braking effect on the shaft 26 to ease reversal. For forming folds of different lengths, the grippers 9 are adjustable by hand-wheels 43, pinions 44, and racks 40, scales 45 showing the position. The length of the chain is correspondingly adjusted by winding it on its supporting disk, which may also be seated. To vary the movement of carriage in agreement, the length of travel of the piston 55 is altered. Means may be provided for giving the carriage a longer stroke after a predetermined number of equal strokes in order to lay a projecting fold of fabric. The grippers may be modified to suit silk and like fabrics, and may consist of gripping- bars pressed together by torsion springs and opened by lever and cam and rack and pinion mechanism from the shaft 26, the table in this case consisting of a horizontal middle part supported by the piston of the hydraulic ram and hinged side parts which slant downwards and on which the folds are dropped when freed by the grippers.