GB2176507A - Bow tying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for tying a bow in a length of ribbon 14 or a similar material comprises a material feeder 12, severing means 76, a material holder 18, 20 rotatably mounted on a slidably displaceable sleeve 30, first and second extensible hook arms 34, 54 and an extensible reciprocating arm 70. These elements are controlled e.g. by a plurality of cams to operate in sequence to produce a bow from the length of ribbon. A length of ribbon 14 is first drawn from the feeder 12 by the holder 16 which is orientated horizontally. The holder 16 is then rotated through 180 DEG to the vertical orientation shown and displaced along track 32 towards the feeder 12 thus forming a loop in the ribbon 14. First and second extensible hook arms 34, 54 are extended through the loop thus formed and engage their respective hooks with the ribbon 14. Retraction of the hook arms 34, 54 and simultaneous extension of the reciprocating arm 70 form a bow in the ribbon. The severing means 76 is operated to separate the formed bow from the rest of the ribbon. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bow tying apparatus This invention concerns apparatus for bow tying especially the tying of bows in lengths of ribbon or similar material.

Bows tied in a length of ribbon or similar material are commonly used for decoration on articles of clothing. Consequently the production of large numbers of bows all of similar size is important to the clothing industry. Hitherto the production of such bows has been accomplised by a human operator assisted by manually operated mechanical means. Such a method is slow and tedious and automatic apparatus would be preferable.

An object of the present invention is to provide bow tying apparatus which is operable automatically and at a higher speed than that previously possible using manually operated apparatus.

With this object in view, the present invention provides bow tying apparatus comprising a material feeder for feeding ribbon, or a similar material, to a holder disposed so that it can be rotated through 1800 in the vertical plane, and which is slidably displaceable away from the material feeder, severing means disposed near the material feeder so as to cut the ribbon into lengths and first and second ribbon hooks disposed at respective ends of first and second extensible hook arms, the extensible hook arms being disposed substantially at 90" to each other and such that when the hook arms are extended the first and second ribbon hooks are in close proximity to the severing means, the ribbon and each other and further including control means connected to the holder, the severing means and the first and second extensible hook arms such that the movement of each of these elements is co-ordinated to tie a bow in a length of the ribbon or similar material.

Material is fed from the feeder to the holder which is displaced away from the feeder until the required length of material has been reached. The holder is then rotated through 1800 so that the material is twisted and the holder is then displaced towards the holder producing a loop in the material.

First and second extensible hook arms are extended so that the ribbon hooks project throught the loop of material, with the first hook arm passing over the second hook arm. First ribbon hook engages with the loop of material in the vicinity of the material feeder and the second ribbon hook engages with the loop of material near the holder.

Both hook arms are then retracted pulling the material through the loop and forming a bow. The severing means are operated and the completed bow removed.

Preferably an extensible reciprocating arm is provided disposed between the first and second extensible hook arms. The reciprocating arm is extended at the same time that the hook arms are retracted, consequently pushing against the loop of material and thereby producing a tighter and more secure bow.

Advantageously the severing means is a heated strip of metal, slideably displaceable in a vertical direction. Most material in narrow strips e.g. ribbon will fray if cut by blades, a heated strip will fuse the ends preventing the finished bow from fraying at the ends.

Preferably each ribbon hook is provided with respective latch means operable to trap the ribbon so that it cannot escape from the hook while the hook is retracted. During the retraction of the hook arms the material engaged with the respective ribbon hooks can escape producing a malformed and therefore useless bow.

Advantageously the latch means is a sleeve surrounding the hook arm and which is slidably displaceable therealong allowing it to engage with the ribbon hooks, thereby trapping the material in the hook.

Advantageously the holder is slidably displaceable along a track which is disposed substantially parallel to the first extensible hook arm and at substantially 90" to the second extensible hook arm.

Preferably the holder is pivotally mounted on a plate, the plate being disposed at substantially 45" to a line along which the holder is slidably displaceable such that when the holder is rotated through 1800 to twist the material and hence form the loop the holder is also displaced through 90" i the horizontal plane. This motion produces a better and longer loop and allows improved access for the extensible hook arms.

Advantageously the control means is a plurality of cams operating a series of cables connected to at least the slidably displaceable holder, the first and second extensible hook arms, and the severing means such that all these elements are operated in synchronisation to produce a bow. Further additional elements for example an extensible reciprocating arm may also be connected to the control means.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a preferred practical embodiment of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 is a slide view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 3 is an end view illustrating a preferred practical embodiment of the control means of the invention; Figure 4 is a front view of the preferred control means; and Figures 5, 6 and 7 are plan views corresponding generally to Figure 1, but showing the apparatus in use.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 a preferred embodiment of the bow tying apparatus of the invention comprises a material feeder 12 which feeds ribbon 14 from a roll (not shown) to a ribbon holder 16. The material feeder 12 can feed any type of narrow material in which it is desired to tie a bow and ribbon is specified only as an example.

The ribbon holder 16 has a pair of jaws 18, 20 operable to grip the ribbons free end 22. The ribbon holder 16 is attached to an angled support 24 so that the holder 16 is directly in line with the ribbon 14 and the material feeder 12. The angled support 24 is attached to a vertical plate 26 by means of a pivot 28 such that the bracket 24 and holder 16 are rotatable through 180 . The plate 26 is attached to a sleeve 30 which is slidably displaceable along a track 32, plate 26 being substantially at 45" to the track 32, the track 32 being disposed substantially parallel to the ribbon 14.

First and second hook arms 34, 54 comprise respective telescopically extensible arms 36, 56 each arm having at its respective free end respective ribbon hooks 38, 58. Each arm 34, 54, is further provided with a respective latch sleeve 40, 60, which is slidably displaceable along its respective hook arm 34, 54 between respective ribbon hook 38, 58 and stopping means 42, 62. Frictional retaining means 44, 64 are attached via respective support members 46, 66 to the hook arms, 34, 54.

Each of the hook arms 34, 54, is pivotally mounted so that the arm 34, 54 can move laterally through an arc. Disposed between the hook arms 34, 54 and substantially bisecting the angle between them is an extensible reciprocating arm 70 having a telescopic extensible arm 72 terminating at its free end is a stop 74.

Severing means 76 comprises a heated metal strip 78 is slidably disposed on a frame 80, over the ribbon 14 as it passes out of the material feeder 12. For ease of use the bow tying apparatus is mounted on a table 82.

Referring now to Figure 3 and 4 control means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 90 comprises a rotatable shaft 92 having drive means (not shown) and a plurality of cams 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 110, in the preferred embodiment there are nine such cams. Each cam 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 is eccentrically shaped and engages with a respective stop 112 mounted on respective levers 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130. Each of the levers 114,116, 118,120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 132 disposed substantially parallel to shaft 92.Free ends 134 of respective cables 136 are at tached to a respective free end of each lever 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130. Each of the cables 136 passes through a tube 138 and is se cured at the cables end 140 to an element of the bow tying apparatus. For example in the preferred embodiment the cable 136 from lever 114 is se cured to the reciprocating arm 70, cable 136 from lever 116 is secured to second hook arm 54, cable 136 from lever 118 is secured to first hook arm 34, cable 136 from lever 120 is secured to the pivotal movement of first and second hook arms 34, 54, lever 122 is attached to the ribbon feeder 12, lever 124 is attached to the severing means 76, lever 126 is attached to the slidably displaceable sleeve 30, lever 128 is attached to the angled support 24 and lever 130 is attached to the ribbon holder 16. Each of the cables 136 is attached to its respective ele ment such that movement of the cable 136 in its tube 138 is translated into a movement of the re spective element.

In use the drive means (not shown) rotates the shaft 92 and the cams 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. The cams are shaped such that one rotation of the shaft 92 produces one bow from the apparatus mounted on the table 82 above the shaft 92. The number of rotations the shaft 92 makes therefore determines the speed with which the bows are produced. The rotation of the cams 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 will cause a pivotal movement of their respective levers 114,116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 when the respective stops 112 are engaged by the cam 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110.Thus the shape of each cams 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 will determine the order of movement of the elements of the bow tying apparatus and by co-ordinating these movements a bow will be produced from the ribbon 14.

In the preferred embodiment the sequence for the production of a bow is as follows. First the ribbon holder 16 is slidably displaced along the track 32 towards the material feeder 12. The jaws 18, 20 close on the ribbon's free end 22 and the holder 16 is then displaced along the track 32, pulling the ribbon 14, from the material feeder 12. When the length of the ribbon 14 between the holder 16 and the feeder 12 is of the desired length the holder 16 is rotated on the plate 26 and is simultaneously displaced along the track 32 towards the feeder 12 until the holder 16 opposes the second hook arm 54. First and second hook arms 34, 54 are now extended so that the arms 34, 54 pass through the loop of ribbon 14 with the first hook arm 34 passing over the second hook arm 54.The frictional retaining means 44, 64 on each arm 34, 54 prevents the respective sleeve 40, 60 from moving along the arm until the respective stopping means 42, 62 reaches its respective sleeve 40, 60 and forces it through the retaining means 44, 64. This leaves the ribbon hooks 38, 58 fully exposed. See Figure 5.

The hook arms 34, 54 are extended until the ribbon hook 38 on the first hook arm is close to the material feeder 12 and the ribbon hook 58 on the second hook arm is near the holder 16. At this point the first hook arm 34 is rotated in an anticlock-wise direction so that its hook 38 is engaged with the ribbon 14 and the second hook arm 54 is rotated in a clockwise direction to engage its hook 58 with the ribbon 14. See Figure 6.

The arms 34, 54 are now retracted pulling the ribbon 14 with them. As they retract the frictional retaining means 44, 64 initially prevent the respective sleeve 40, 60 from moving with the hook arm.

The sleeves 40, 60 therefore remain stationary whilst the respective hook arms 34, 54 retract through them until the sleeves 40, 60 engage with the ribbon 14 preventing it from escaping from the ribbon hooks 38, 58. As the hook arms 34, 54 are retracted the reciprocating arm 70 is extended until it engages with the ribbon 14 and is therefore effective to push the ribbon 14 in the opposite direction to which the hook arms 34, 54 are pulling. See Figure 7. When the hook arms 34, 54 have been fully retracted they are extended a small amount to disengage the sleeves 40, 60 from the ribbon hooks 38, 58 and then the arms 34, 54 are rotated in a clockwise and an anticlockwise direction respectively to disengage the ribbon hooks 38, 58 from the ribbon 14.The severing means 76 is slidably displaced downwards until the hot metal stip 78 is in contact with the ribbon 14 which is thus simultaneously severed and the free ends fused to prevent fraying of the material. A suitably timed air jet (not shown) blows the bow into a collecting recepticle.

It is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the precise details of the foregoing example and variations may be made thereto. For example the reciprocating arm could be omitted as could the sleeves and latch mechanism on one or both of the hook arms without affecting the operation of the invention. Although the preferred embodiment of the invention is controlled by a cam arrangement some other form of control could be substituted for example pneumatics, hydraulics or a micro-processor. Further the severing means may be any covenient method for example a sharp blade etc. depending on the desired finish to the bow and the physical characteristics of the material used. Other variations may also be possible.

Claims (10)

1. Bow tying apparatus comprising a material feeder for feeding ribbon, or a similar material to a holder disposed so that it can be rotated through 180 in the vertical plane, and which is slidably displaceable away from the material feeder, severing means disposed near the material feeder so as to cut the ribbon into lengths and first and second ribbon hooks disposed at respective ends of first and second extensible hook arms, the extensible hook arms being disposed substantially at 90 to each other and such that when the hook arms are extended the first and second ribbon hooks are in close proximity to the severing means, the ribbon and each other and further including control means connected to the holder, the severing means and the first and second extensible hook arms such that the movement of each of these elements is co-ordinated to tie a bow in a length of the ribbon or similar material.

2. Bow tying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein an extensible reciprocating arm is provided disposed between the first and second extensible hook arms, to be extended whilst the hook arms are retracted, consequently pushing against the loop of ribbon or material and thereby producing a tighter and more secure bow.

3. Bow tying apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the severing means is a hot metal strip, slidably displaceable in a vertical direction.

4. Bow tying apparatus as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein each ribbon hook is provided with respective latch means operable to trap the ribbon so that it cannot escape from the hook while the hook is retracted.

5. Bow tying apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the latch means is a sleeve surrounding the hook arm and which is slidably displaceable therealong allowing it to engage with the ribbon hooks, thereby trapping the material between the hook and the sleeve.

6. Bow tying apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holder is slidably displaceable along a track which is disposed substantially parallel to the first extensible hook arm and at substantially 90 to the second extensible hook arm.

7. Bow tying apparatus as claimed in any preceidng claim in which the holder is pivotally mounted on a plate, the plate being disposed at substantially 45 to a line along which the holder is slidably displaceable such that when the holder is rotated through 180 to twist the material and hence form the loop the holder is also displaced through 90 in the horizontal plane.

8. Bow tying apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control means is a plurality of cams operating a series of cables connected to at least the slidably displaceable holder, the first and second extensible hook arms, and the severing means such that all these elements are operated in synchronisation to produce a bow.

9. Bow tying apparatus as claimed in claims 2 and 8 in which the cams are connected to the reciprocating arm such that the arms movement is synchronised with the other elements.

10. Bow tying apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.