GB211052A - Improvements in or in connection with the manufacture of tennis and like balls - Google Patents

Abstract

211,052. Tilley, O. May 18, 1923. Covered ball sewing. machines; multiple - - needle machines; machines with work-benders. -A machine for stitching tennis and like balls comprises a spring- pressed cup 2, by which the ball is pressed against the back of work-plate 4 having an opening through which the ball partly protrudes, and a pair of noodles 8, 9 each of which penetrates the ball tangentially and enters the loop formed by the other. The ball is released by depressing the cup and to facilitate removal, the cup may be supported on a pivoted member 7. The needles are driven by links 11 pivoted on discs 13 reared to a shaft 16, and are guided by guides 10. A spreader 17, mounted close to the needle 8 to open the loop of the needle 9, is in the form of a pointed plunger moved against the action of a spring in its casing 18 bv a rod 19 actuated by an eccentric on the shaft 16. The part of the ball which is being stitched is gripped and distorted during needle strokes by grippers 21 held in position by the cam-discs 13 and moved apart for the feed of the ball when recesses in the cams permit bv a spring 23 after the formation of each stitch. Feed is effected by a dog 24 operating through a slot in the cup slidably mounted on a pivoted arm 25 which is actuated for feeding movements by a lever 26 and eccentric 28 on the shaft 16 and for vertical movement by an eccentric 29 having a connection with the arm which is jointed at 30 and embraced bv a link 32 connected to the stem 31 of the cup. When the cup is lowered the joint 30 is broken and the feed member 24 moved away from the ball. In addition to the automatic feed the ball is turned by the operator to keep the stitch-line in the required position.