GB910253A - Apparatus for tufting mattresses, cushions and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

910,253. Mattress tufting machines. WHALEY, F. P. March 14, 1961 [March 29, 1960], No. 11090/60. Class 112. A mattress tufting machine is adapted to insert a plurality of tufts simultaneously. The machine comprises a fixed frame 1 in which is journalled, by means of a shaft 26, a rotatable transverse frame 2 to which is rigidly fixed a first row of spaced hollow tufting needles 3 and a second row of oppositely-directed needles 3<1>. Each needle contains a slidable rod 6, one end of which is fixed to a spring-biased socket 10, whereby the other end retains a tuft head 8 in a cavity 7 adjacent the needle point. A mattress-supporting frame 4, pivoted to frame 1, is supported in an inclined position by springs 5. The mattress 17 abuts a bracket 19 fixed to an endless chain 21 passing around sprockets 22, 23, 24. The mattress is drawn towards the needles 3, against the bias of the springs 5, by pneumatic or hydraulic jacks 15 secured to a compressor bar 16 which engages the mattress. When the cavities 7 are clear of the mattress, bars 18 projecting from the ends of bar 16 engage a pivoted bar 11 to engage the latter with the sockets 10, whereby the rods 6 are retracted to free the tuft heads 8. A sprocket 29, rigid with sprocket 22, is connected by a chain 28 to a sprocket 27 rigid with shaft 26. When the latter is turned through 180 degrees by means of a wheel 25, the needles 3, 3<1> are reversed, and the mattress is raised to a new tufting position. A disc 34, rigid with shaft 26, is formed with diametrically-opposed notches 33 engageable by a detent 32 on a spring-biased arm 31 to halt the parts in the tufting positions. The rods 6 of the needles directed away from the mattress are retracted by a fixed cam 20 to enable the tuft heads to be inserted in the cavities 7. The completed mattress slides down a shoot 35. Specification 903,464 is referred to.