IL26027A - Automatic sewing assembly - Google Patents

Description

P.O. Boi I Ift9. TEL-AVJV, ISRAEL Patents Form No. 3 P A T E N T S & D E S I G N S O R D I N A N C E S P E C I F I C A T I O N Improvements in IMPROVED AUTOMATIC SEWING ASSEMBLY We, Herbert Jacobs, of Greenhill Apartments, of 1001 City Avenue, City and County ©f Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Executive, Herschel Baron, of William Perm House, 1919 Chestnut Street, City and County of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Engineer, and Eric Winston, of One Asbury Avenue, Melrose Park, County of Montgomery, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Engineer, all of the United States of America, all citizens of the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following - This invention relates to a sewing apparatus and has as its objective the provision of an improved automatic sewing machine assembly.

With the rise of foreign competition in the textile field, it has become incumbent upon domestic manufacturers to increase productivity in order to overcome a financially unfavorable wage differential.

Therefore s many attempts have been made in the past years to automate the various sewing processes Such prior attempts have been successful to some degree, but the ultimate goal, namely, to achieve a sewing apparatus which is fully automated is yet to be achieved.

It is, accordingly, a prime objective of the present invention to provide an improved sewing assembly which Is fully automatic* A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sewing assembly with complementary feeding means, sewing means, cutting means and stacking means.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeding means for use with an automatic sewing apparatus-.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic sewing assembly which incorporates air cylinders to provide the various basic movements required for operation of the machine, A still further object of the present invention is to combine with an improved automatic sewing assembly, folding means and folding means whi4h are operative through the strategic positioning of a plurality of air jets.

A still further object of. the present invention is to provide improved cutting means for use in an improved automatic sewing assembly. are achieved by providing an automatic sav.dng assembly which basically comprises a feeder station, a sewing station, a cutting station and a stacking station.

In the specific embodiment to be detailed hereinafter, a continuous binding is automatically sewn to a cut sleeve, but it should be understood that many other sewing variations obtainable with the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

The feeding station basically comprises a platform for holding the stacked cut sleeves, and a feeder assembly including a feeder foot for depositing the cut sleeves, one-by-one, onto a conveyor belt to the sewing machine.

The sewing machine is automatically activated by photosensitive means, and the cutting means are also activated by photosensitive means.

A stacking station is provided to automatically stack the product after the sewing and cutting operations have been completed.

Automatic stopping controls are associated with both the feeder platform and stacking means for emergency purposes as when the feeder supply is exhausted or the adhesive means have been wound to capacity on a take-up roll. Various other safety features and warning devices are associated with the present invention, such as, warning lights and automatic turn-off devices in the event undesirable conditions develop.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the complete assembly of the resent invention lines 1A-1A of Fig, 1; Fig- IB is an enlarged detail view of the lever assembly of Fig. 1A; Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the feeding and sewing stations of the present invention taken along the lines 2-2 of Tig lj Fig. 3 is a plan view taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig™ Fig. 3A is an enlarged view shewing guide cam 210 and two positions of roller 214· in connection therewith! Fig. is a plan view of a str.ck of blanks and the mechanism in connection therewith? Fig. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, taken along the lines 5-5 of Fig. k Fig, 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 of Fig. k Fig. 6A is a perspective view of one of the clamping fingers associated with the blank holding mechanism! Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 7-7 of Fig. 3? Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of Fig* 1% Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the lines 9-9 of Fig. 85 Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the lines 10-10 of Fig. 95 Fig. 10A is a diagrammatic view showing the cycle of movement of the feeder foot of the present invention! Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 11-11 of Fig* 35 Fig. 12 is an elevational view taken along the lines 12-12 of Fi .

Fig. 125 Figι. 1*4· is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines of .fig, 35 Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail view showing the sewing area; Fi * '- Α is an enlarged elevational view taken along the lines 15A-15A of Fig, 15; Fig. 16 is a plan view with portions in section taken along the lines 16-16 cf g I5j Fig. IV i¾ pac ional view taks along the lines 17-17 of Fig. I65 Fig. IS is ar elevational view of the rear end of the present invention taken along the liner 18-'J 8 of Fig. 1| Fig.. ISA is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines I8A-18A of Fig. l8; Fig. 18B is a sectional view taken along the lines 18B-18B of Fig. 185 Fig. 19 is a perspective view diagraramatically showing the chain and sprocket train for driving certain of the operative elements of the present invention; Fig* 20 is an enlarged end elevational view taken along the lines 20-20 of Fig. l8; Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken along the lines 21-21 of Fig, 201 Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail elevational view taken along the lines 22-22 of Fig. 20; Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken along the lines 23-23 of Fig. 21; Fig. 2k is a sectional view taken along the lines 2h-2 of Fig. 21; Fig. 25 is an enlarged elevational view with portions in section taken along the lines 25-25 of Fig. 21 lines 26-26 of Pig. 25; Fig. 27 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 27-27 of Fig. 25; Fig. 28 is essentially an enlarged plan view taken along the lines 28-28 of Fig. 25; Fig. 29 is a fragmentary perspective view of. a scaffolding system; Fig. 30 is an enlarged elevational view of one of the scaffolding clips? Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 31-31 of Fig. 30; and Figs* 3? J 33 and 3th are schematic wiring diagrams showing further detai s of the operation of the present invention.

Ref rriLg now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, an improved automatic sewing machine embodying the present invention is generally shown at 10 in Fig. 1* The improved automatic sewing assembly of the present invention basically comprises a feeder station 12, a sewing station 1*+, a cutting station 16 and a stacking station 18.

The basic details of the feeder stetion are shown in Figs. 2 and 3 "with subsidiary details thereof being shown in Figs. to 13 of the drawing.

The feeder station 12 is composed of a supply area 20 (Figs* to 6A inclusive), feeder foot means 22 (Figs. 8 to 10A inclusive) and miscellaneous drive means 2 (Figs. 7 and 11 to 13 inclusive) · It is the prime function of the feeder station 12 to pick a workpiece 26 up from the supply area 20 and transport the workpiece 26 toward the sewing section lh at a desired rate. It is also contemplated that the feeder station 12 will include means for folding or lap ing the work. to 6A wherein the workpieces 26 are placed in a stacked arrangement upon a platform 28 (Fig, 5) which extends from the frame 30 of the machine 10. The supply area 20 includes support bars 32 which are bolted to the frame 30 as shown in Fig. A cross bar 3* has its ends releasably clamped to each of the support bars 32 by clamps 36, and two brackets 38 (Fig. ) depend from the cross bar 3½ and are secured thereto by adjustable clamps o. Secured to one of the brackets 38 adjacent one end thereof is a clamp bar 2 which is positioned generally parallel to the support bars 32 but lying somewhat below the support bars 2 as shown in Fig. 5· Limit bar h is secured to the other bracket 38. As shown in Fig. the forward end of the clamp bar 2 and the forward end of the limit bar kh is secured to the frame 30 of the machine and particularly to angle members ½6 thereof.

Slidably mounted upon the clamp bar h-2 are a series of clamp brackets +8s each of which carry a rod 0 which may be spring loaded via springs 51 as shown in Fig. As further shown in Fig. , adjustment means 53 for rod 0 are provided, and one end of the rod 50 carries a locating and retention finger 52 that may be secured on rod 50 by means of a simple bolt and nut arrangement wit . the head of the bolt *+ being shown in Fig. .

The details of the locating retention fingers 2 are shown in Figs,, 6 and 6A wherein the fingers 2 are shown to comprise a depending clip 56 with a flared out end 58. The clip 56 also includes a horizontal portion which is held by the bolt Immediately lying above the horizontal portion is an L-shaped member 60 which has a vertically disposed cushion 62 secured thereto as shown in Fig. 6. As further shown in Fig. 6A, the cushion 62 may be adjusted with respect to the workpieces 26 by sliding the L-shaped member 60 with respect to the bolt 5½ as permitted by virtue of the shape of the elongated slot 63 (Fig. 6A) through continuous bar having an elongated cushion 6*+ secured thereto, and also having a clip 66 with a flared end in a manner similar to the clip 56. A bolt 68 may be provided to secure the backing for the cushion Θ+ and the extension of the clip 66 together in the manner of Fig. 6· As shown in Fig. k, the rods 50 may be so adjusted using adjustment means 53 that the fingers 52 may be positioned against the edges of the stack of irregularly shaped workpieces 26 so that the fingers 2 will have a function of retaining the stack of workpieces 26 in an orderly state and also to resist the picking up of more than one workpiece at a time, due to fiber entanglement. The limit bar is positioned to counteract any undue tendency of the fingers to disrupt the orderly state of the stacked workpieces 26, and thus the limit bar -k has the function of preventing overcompensation by virtue of the movement of the fingers 5 . The confining nature of the fingers 5 as opposed to the limiting action of the limit bar is clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the platform 28 is gradually raised as the workpieces: 26 are fed one-by-one toward the sewing station lh so that the level of the topmost workpiece will be essentially constant* This is necessary in order that the feeder foot means 22 of the present invention may operate upon the topmost workpiece in order to lift the topmost piece from its stacked position of Fig. 6 and carry it upwardly and then forwardly so that it can start its journey toward the sewing station lh. The mechanism achieving the gradual raising of platform 28 forms no part of the present invention but is rather well known in the duplicating machine art as represented in certain patents such as 1,963, 69^5 2,083,296 and Re. 20,581.

The feeder foot means 22 are shown in more detail in Fi s. 8 t 10A inclusive of the drawi T c c ca t foot first moves downwardly to low position 701 as shown in phantom in Fig. 10A. As the feeder foot 70 moves downwardly it contacts the upper surface of the top-most workpiece 26. Adhesive means associated with the feeder foot 70 contact the workpiece 26 s and thus when the feeder foot 70 moves upwardly to the full line intermediate position of Fig. 10A, . a piece of work 26 is adhered thereto. At this point suction means, to he described hereinafter as associated with the feeder foot 22, are activated to carry the weight of the work 26. The feeder foot 0 then kicks forwardly to the position indicated at 70" in Fig. 10A and thereafter the goods are carried away from the feeder foot by the action of forwardly moving rollers.

As shown in Fig. 10, the feeder foot 70 depends from adhesive tape housing 72 and is an integral part thereof as will be discussed hereinafter. The housing 72 is rigidly mounted upon a support roller 7 + which not only rocks to achieve the forward kick ing action of the feeder foot 70 but which also is movable up and down to achieve the lifting action of the feeder foot 70.

The three positions of the feeder foot 70 as it undergoes its cycle motion are illustrated in Fig. 10A. As will be dis cussed in greater detail hereinafter., adhesive means 76 are carr÷ ied along the feeder foot 70 during its cycle of movement in order that the topmost workpiece 26 (Fig. 10) may be bodily lifted and led to serrated first transport roller 78 (Fig. 7 and Fig. 10A). The intermediate position of the feeder foot 70 is shown in full line on Fig. 10A. In the discussion to follow it will be assumed that the feeder foot 70 will move downwardly through the position 70 » of Fig. lOA.

As the feeder foot 70 completes its downward stroke, it will be seated upon the topmost workpiece 26, the adhesive tape means 7 will thereupon contact the topmost workpiece 26 so that carried upwardly. Hence, when the feeder foot 70 kicks i"or*,«.«Hiy to the position 70" of Fig. 10A, the topmost workpiece 26 will be carried upon the ser ated transport roller 78 · At this points the positive forward pulling action of the first transport roller 8 and complementary vertically aligned short rubber roller 80 will overcome the holding power of the adhesive tape mesns 76 to carry the workpiece 26 forwardly* As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, suction means 82 are employed to assist the adhesive tape means 76 in the holding action. In particular, the suction means 82 will be turned on immediately after the feeder foot 70 has started to lif^ upwardly from its lowermost position 70'· In this way, the suction means 82 will not cause more than one workpiece 26 to be lifted.

Because it is desirable to provide a relatively fresh, tacky adhesive surface to the topmost workpiece 26 a-: all times, the present invention contemplates an adhesive tape drive mechanism which will advance the adhesive means 76 a sufficient increment as the iee-^ foot 70 moves through its cycle. The various details of the mechanism within adhesive tape housing 72 and drive housing 8h are illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10A.

The adhesive tape housing 72 is best shown in Fig. 10 as including a supply reel 86 and a take-up reel 88 , The supply reel 86 is rotatably mounted upon shaft 90 and the take-up reel 88 is rotatably mounted on the driven shaft 92. The take-up reel 88 is driven and thus causes the adhesive tape means 76 to be pulled along the various idler rollers 9+ downwardly in the direction of arrows 96 and then within the feeder foot 70, and finally upwardly about the idler rollers 98 in the direction of arrow 100. The tape means 76 is then wound upon the take-up reel 88.

As the adhesive tape means 76 is intermittently advanced to bottom idler roller 102, the tacky surface of a particular portion of the adhesive tape means 76 is presented the topmost work- ment of the adhesive tape means 76 is intermittent so that there will he a fresh or relatively fresh bit of tacky adhesive surface presented to the topmost workpiece 26 that -will then be carried above the serrated first transport rollers 8 by feeder foot 70 with the assistance of suction means 82.* As shown in Fig* 9 the shafts 90 and 92 extend from the adhesive tape hou?-L.r.g 72 into the drive housing 8k. In this wa s the movement of the gearing within the drive housing 8+ is utilized intermittently to drive the shaft 92 union in turn causes intermittent revolving of the take-up reel 88* In view of the fact that the shafts 90 and 92 are secured to both adhesive tape housing 72 and drive housing 8* , the housings 72 and 8*+ are movable together.

The mechanism which guides the feeder foot 70 through its cycle of lifting, kicking forward and return in t manner as illustrated in Fig. 10A, will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.-. However, for present purpose s3 it should be noted that the movement ho n in Fig. 10A is actually caused by the movement of support roller 7*+ and pivotal roller 10 (Figs. 2 and 3)· In particulars the support roller 7*+ can move vertically as well as pivot or rock; whereas the pivotal roller 10*+ can only pivot or rock.

Since feeder foot 70 is mounted (Fig. 10) on support roller 7+» vertical movement of roller ? is automatically converted to vertical movement of the feeder foot, and pivoting of the roller ? causes pivoting of the feeder foot.

When the feeder foot 70 is in the intermediate full line position the Fig. 10A3 the forward kicking of the feeder foot 70 to the roller feeding position 70" is accomplished, because support roller 7 and pivotal roller 10k each pivot 7 1/2° in the clockwise sense as viewed in Fig. 10 so that the tape housing 72 " When the rollers 7½ and 10*+ now pivot or rock backward-ly in a counterclockwise direction for 7 1/2° , the tape housing 72 returns to the intermediate full line position of Fig. 10 , and the feeder foot 70 will be also in the intermediate neutral position with the workpiece 26 having been removed from the feeder foot 70 by passage between the rollers 73 and 80 to start the forward journey of the workpiece 26 toward the sewing station.

The feeder foot 70 will now descend to its lower pickup position 70 T of Fig* 10A since support roller 7½ moves vertically downwardly and also pivots for 15°· The pivotal roller 10^ also tilts in a counterclockwise sense for 15 degrees* When the roller 7½ completes its descents the feeder foot will be in the lowermost position 70' of Fig, 10A. When the roller 7+ now lifts to the position of Fig, 10 the feeder foot 70 will be in the intermediate full line position of Fig. 10A.

It is to be noted that drive housing 8*+ (Fig. 9) is coupled to tape housing 7 so that downward travel of roller 7*+ also causes downward travel of drive housing 8 + as well as tape housing 72 with feeder foot 70.

Particular reference is now made to Fig*. 8 which shows a pin 108 secured about a short section of shaft lOk by clamp 107 \ and bolts 110 · When the drive housing 8 + drops downwardly with the downward travel of roller 7+» the drive housing 8*+ will nest upon the pin 106 in such a manner that pin 106 will project within an opening 108 in the drive housing 8½ (Fig, 8 ) .

When the roller 71* moves upwardly and finally tilts backwardly (clockwise) so that the feeder foot 70 kicks to the roller feeding position 70" , the entire adhesive tape housing 72 and drive housing 8h is also tilted backwardly or about roller lO-in a clockwise sense as generally indicated by the phantom position 72" of Fig. 10. When this occurs, the drive housing 8*+ again ing 8*+ two times as the feeder foot 70 passes through its vari->, ous positions to make one cycle of movement. In other words when the feeder foot 70 drops down to the lowermost pick-up position 70 ' of Fig. 10A to pick-up a workpiece 26, pin 106 will project within drive housing 8*+, and when the feeder foo.t 0 lifts to the intermediate full line position of Fig. 10A, and then kicks forwardly to the roller feeding position 70" of Fig. 10A, the pin 106 will again project with in the drive housing 8½» Each time the pin 106 is nested with opening 108 of drive housing Qk, the pin 106 is contacted by L-shaped rocker 112 which is pivoted about pivot point ll . Hence, when the pin 106 is contacted by the L-shaped rocker arm 112, the rocker arm 112 is caused to pivot in a clockwise sense about the pivot point ll (as viewed in Fig. 8) against the bias of springs 116· This urges pawl 118 generally upwardly into engagement with a tooth of ratchet 120. An anti-reverse pawl 122, pivoted at 12 and suitably biased by spring 126, permits clockwise advancement of ratchet 120 in the direction of arrow 128 by virtue of the angle of inclination of the ratchet teeth, but the anti-reverse pawl 122 will wedgingly engage a ratchet tooth to prohibit counterclockwise rotation or retrogression of ratchet 120. The ratchet 120 is pivoted on stub shaft 130 as shown in Fig. 9 which also carries small concentric gear 132 that meshes with large gear 13*+· The large gear 13*+ is revolvably mounted upon the driven shaft 92 that is connected to take-up reel 88.

The net result of the foregoing is that when the feeder foot 70 kicks forwardly, the adhesive tape means 76 is advanced a bit, and as the feeder foot 70 is seated upon the topmost work-piece 26, the adhesive tape means 76 is again slightly advanced. By virtue of the foregoing, the adhesive tape means 76 is intermittently advanced from supply reel 86 to take-up reel 88. ψ· ried thereby forwardly is fed between roller 78 and 80 and is no longer in contact with the adhesive tape moans 76. Another arrangement for the incremental timed advance of adhesive tape means 76 involves the use of an air valve acting against a spring loaded tape advancing member. In this arrangement, the air valve would be actuated a fraction of a second after the feeder foot 70 has kicked forwardly to insure that the workplace 26 has been separated from the tape means 76, The activation of the air valve would cause the spring loaded member to move against its spring biasing} and in so doing actuate a ratchet wheel much in the manner that pawl 118 engaged a tooth of tion of the air valve the pawl would position and be ready to advance the ratchet again when the. air valve is actuated.

Other details to be observed in Figs* 8 to 10A include the fact that the drive housing 8^ is secured upon support roller 7 + by set screw assembly 136 (Fig. 8 ) , and that couplings 13 are employed to secure portions of shafts 90 and 9 passing between the housings 72 and 8*+. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 10 and indicator light l*+0 operated through ljads l1+2 is provided to show when the take-up reel 88 is full. This is accomplished by arm I which will contact microswitch 1*+β of Fig. 10 when the take-up reel 88 reaches a predetermined size. When this occurs, a circuit is made, either to turn on or turn off the indicator light iko.

Incidentally 4 the couplings 138 may be utilized to facilitate the disconnection of the adhesive tape housing 72 from the drive housing Q , This is desirable when the take-up reel 88 is full, and it has been found to be the preferred practice to replace the adhesive tape housing 72 with a new housing 72, rather than trying to unwind the adhesive tape means from the take-up reel 88 , or even applying a new supply of adhesive ta e to the hesive tape on take-up reel 88 at a point remote of the operation of the general machine 10 af ter housing 72 has been removed. Appropriate indicator means are also associated -with adhesive tape means 76, in the event that the adhe sive tape means 76 break or bind. Should the tape break, tension means (not shown) associated with the tape will be relaxed to clo se a microswitch in order to turn on a warning light or stop further movement of feeder foot 70.

The movement of the fee der foot 0 through the various positions of Fig . 10A is obtained by movement of pivotal roller 10*+ and support roller 7+ which are secured together by means of coupling l* 8. The pivotal roller 10½ is caused to rock, and the rocking act ion is conveyed to support roller 7½ through the couplings l*+8. While the pivotal roller lOk is journalle d in the machine frame and so can undergo rotational movement only , the support roller ? can undergo linear movement as well as rotational movement as will be described hereinafter. Since the feeder foot 70 i s secured upon the support roller 7*+, the feeder f oot 70 will move up or down or kick forwardly in accordance with the rotational and linear movement of the support roller 7*+· The movement of the rollers 7*+ and 10 is initiated through air actuate d cranking means 1 0 v,hich are shown in Fig. 2 as lying beneath table 1 2, and the cranking means 150 is shown in greater detail in Figs . 12 and 13· The air valves associated with the cranking means 150 rock a short shaft 1 + (Fig. 13) back and forth through a l80° sweep in order to rock eccentric 156 associated with shaft 15*+ through a l8o° sweep between a first position as illustrated in Fig. 13 and a second position l80° removed therefrom. In the posit ion of Fig. 13, rollers 159 extending from a disc 158 associated with the eccentric 156 make s contact with the terminals 162 of microswitches 160» When the eccentric i r k 8 ° micros-witch 166. The cycle then repeats itself as the rollers 159 are returned in order to contact the terminals 162· As will he discussed in greater detail hereinafter, certain control circuitry may be associated with the microswitches 160 and the micro- switch 166 that permits the eccentric 1 to rock back and forth between its two positions as previously described. This will have the effect of controlling the movement of the feeder foot 70 through its various positions. The control circuit will not only permit the time of th¾ feeder foot movement to be varied, but also the control circuit will enable the feeder foot 0 to interrupt its cycle and start it again in the event the feeder foot 70 should fail for any reason to pick up a workpiece 26.

When the eccentric 156 rocks back and forth, it carries with it long rod 170 which has one end pinned at 172 to eccentric 156 and which has the other end thereof pinned at 17*+ to the upper end of link 176 that is pivotally connected to the frame at 178· Secured to the lower end of the link 176 is a short link 180 that is associated with gears l82, 18*+ and 186 which are a part of conventional paper feeding apparatus and serve to slowly raise the platform 28 as workpieces 26 are fed one by one therefrom by means of feeder foot 70 in order that the topmost work-piece 26 will be essentially at the same level at all times.

The air actuated cranking means 150 is of a construction known to the art and includes air heads 150A and 150B which are supplied by air through air inlet 150C. The air is directed against internal pistons (not shown) which are associated with a chain and sprocket arrangement (not shown) so that air is alternately admitted to one of the air heads 150A and then to the other head 150B. This has the affect of oscillating short output shaft l5h through an alternating l8o° sweep. As further shown in Fig. 12 the cranking means 150 are bolted to lower table 150D usin brackets 1 0E and as shown in Fi . 2 the air head 0 i s The gears 182, l8>+ and 186 are associated with the mechanism that will gradually raise the platform 28 as the workpieces 26 are fed one by one through the action of feeder foot 70. Each time the feeder foot 70 runs through its cycle through actuation of air actuated cranking means '1?0, line 176 is rocked as shown in Fig. 2 so that short link l80 will co-act with gear 182 in order to raise, from time to time, the platform 28 so that the topmost workpiece 26 will be maintained essentially at a constant level with respect to the under portion of feeder foot 70. The mechanism for gradually raising the platform 28 is well known in the paper sheet feeding or printing art and forms no part of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows other details of the mechanism for gradually raising platform 28 including chain 188 with counterweight 190 that maintains the chain 188 in operative engagement with a sprocket (not shown) located behind gear 18*+ with counterweight 190 moving downwardly as the platform 128 gradually moves upwardly.

As further shown in Fig. 2 a rod 192 has one end secured to the link 176 at 19V, with the. other end of the rod 192 being secured at 196 to a sector-shaped cam 198 that is pivotally secured at 200 to the frame of the machine.. It is thus seen that the rocking of eccentric 156 causes long rod 170 to reciprocate back and forth. This in turn causes rocking of the link 176 which leads to reciprocation of rod 192 that is secured at 19½ to the link 176. The reciprocation of rod 192 in turn rocks cam 18 back and forth about pivotal securement 200.

As shown in Fig. 2, the cam 198 has a convex upper edge which consists essentially of a long relatively straight run 202 that merges into a short arcuate run 20 , As the cam 198 pivots back and forth, the upper edge of the cam 198 contacts cam follower 2 6 whi h a n in Fi a a c t t makes actual contadt with the convex upper edge of cam 198· The cam follower 206 is spring biased into engagement with the upper edge of 'the cam 198 by spring means (not shown). Thus, as the cam 198 is rocked back and forth about pivotal soctirement 196, the contactor 208 of the cam follower 206 is caused to move in the opposite sense. Hence, when the cam 1 6 pivots in a counterclockwise sense about pivot point 200, the cam follower 206 will be moved in a clockwise sense, considering the outward extension of pivotal roller lOh as the pivot point since the pivotal roller 10*+ is secured to the cam follower 206.

It is thus seen that the rocking of cam 198 causes rocking of pivotal roller 10k9 As thef cam 196 is rocked in a counterclockwise sense with contactor 208 riding upon long straight run 202 of the cam 198 the pivotal roller 10h will be rocked uniformly in a clockwise sense. When the contactor 208 reaches the short arcuate run 204-, the pivotal roller ICk will be rocked more quickly since the arcuate run 20 is much steeper than the long run 202 of cam 198» This quicker movement of the pivotal roller IOH- is actually converted through support roller *+ into the kicking action of the feeder foot 70 as it kicks forwardly to deliver a workpiece 26 to the serrated first transport roller 8· As previously stated the pivotal roller 10k- can only rock, and cannot move in a linear sense. However, the rocking of the pivotal roller 10*+ is converted through coupling lk& and guide cam 210 into rocking and linear movement of the transport roller 7 to which the feeder foot 70 is secured.

The support roller ½ can move linearly because it is not restrained in the manner that pivotal roller 10^ is restrained. Since the feeder foot 70 moves with support roller 7^, the rocking and linear movement of the support roller 7*+ cause the feeder foot 70 to move through its cycle of positions feeding the thereto from which extend a roller 2lh (Figs. 3 and 3A). As shown in Fig. 3A, the roller 2l moves against the guide cam 210 which is secured against the interior wall of panel 216.

The guide cam 210 has a long straight edge 218 which turns in an abrupt curve 220 into short horizontal run 222.

As will be described in the next paragraph, the guide cam 210 controls the linear movement of support roller 7½ as the travel of roller 2lh is controlled by straight edge 218 and sJaort run 222 of guide cam 210. This occurs because the coupling l*+8 loosely embraces support roller 7^ which being pinned at 22½ to pivotal roller 10"+.

Thus rocking of pivotal roller 10k in a clockwise sense as viewed in Fig. 3, causes end 226 of coupling l*+8 to rise since the other end of coupling 1*8 is pinned to roller 10*+· In this way the entire support roller 7*+ is lifted. In this stage of the cycle, the roller 21+ is in the lower dashed position 2lkl of Fig. 3A, and thus the roller 21*+ will move upwardly against long straight edge 218 of guide cam 210 as pivotal roller lOh continues to rock in the clockwise sense.

Upward movement of the roller 2lk will continue until abrupt curve 220 is reached when the roller 2lh will be forced to travel in a generally horizontal path along short horizontal run 222. The abruptness of the change from straight edge 218 to horizontal run 222 is converted into an abrupt forward kicking action on the part of feeder foot 70. When the air actuated cranking means reverses direction, this reverses the direction of travel of cam 198. The pivotal roller lOh will be thereafter rocked in the opposite sense as the roller 2lk will travel first for a short distance along horizontal run 222 and then downwardly along straight edge 218 in a reversal of the previous movement which has the effect of lowering the feeder foot 70 upon the next workpiece 26 to be fed. provide a cushioning effect as it undergoes so¾¾.what abrupt change of direction. It is to be further noted that when the roller 21½ is moving upwardly or downwardly along straight edge 218 that it is essentially held rigidly in place except for the movement provided through the action of pivotal roller 10 , In other words, the roller 2l will not freely move up or down unless the pivotal roller loh rocks, and the roller 21k, being biased into engagement with straight edge 218 will not move laterally.

However, when the roller 2lh is moving horizontally along short run 222 it will float somewhat in the horizontal sense. This is because the support roller 7½ is loosely held by end 226 of coupling l*+8 and when the roller 21*+ is travelling horizontally, there can be floating action or movement against the spring bias applied against the roller 2lk. The purpose of the foregoing is to achieve a free but somewhat forwardly kicking action of feeder foot 70 in that part of the cycle. This J.s believed to add impetus to the forward thrust of the feeder foot 70, while creating a quick horizontal return action of the feeder foot 70 at such time as the workpiece 26 has been fed between serrated roller 78 and short complementary roller 80· When the feeder foot 70 descends upon the topmost work-pieces 26 so that the adhesive tape means 7 contact the topmost workpiece 26, the suction means 82 will become operative as soon as the feeder foot 70 has lifted a controlled short distance from its lowermost position. In this way, the picking up of more than one workpiece 26 at a time will be avoided as might occur if suction means 82 were operative at the instant the adhesive tape means 76 contacted the workpiece 26.

It is preferred that two or more spaced suction means 82 be provided in order to eliminate draping of the workpiece 26 as it is lifted. The spacing between the suction means 82 will be varied in accordance with the characteristics and dimensions of The actual turning on of the vacuum in hose 228 leading to suction means 82 is controlled by a solenoid (not shown) which becomes operative after the elapse of a predetermined amount of time following the initiation of the rise of feeder foot 70.

In actual practice, the vacuum will be turned on about 1/10 of a second after the feeder foot 70 has begun to lift. This time lapse should be sufficient so that the topmost workpiece 26 has been lifted an adequate distance away from the workpiece immediately below it so that the turning on of the vacuum will not caUse the workpiece immediately below the topmost workpiece to be carried upwardly.

The suction means 82 provide for a steady grip upon topmost workpiece 26 as it is lifted and then fed forwardly between the rollers 78 and 80. As the feeder foot 70 kicks forwardly to deliver a workpiece to rollers 78 and 80 , a cam (not shown) is mechanically tripped by the feeder foot in order to deactivate the solenoid that rendered the suction means 82 operative* It is desirable to turn off the vacuum in the suction means 82 just before the workpiece 26 is fed between the rollers 78 and 80 in order to minimize the resistance to forward feeding of the workpiece 26 as it is grabbed by the rollers 78 and 80. When the feeder foot 70 again has descended and starts to lift, the aforesaid timing device will become operative and reactivate the suction means 82 through a solenoid in the manner as previously described.

As previously stated, the platform 28 will be gradually urged upwardly as workpieces 26 are fed therefrom in order that the topmost workpiece 26 will be maintained essentially at a constant level. Should the feeder foot 70 accidentally feed more than one workpiece 26 at a time toward rollers 78 and 80 , a reject mechanism is provided so that such a double layer will not be fed through the other elements of the automatic machinery. The reject The thickness gauge 230 is mounted, on a support member 23*+ which runs across the width of the apparatus. The thickness gauge 230 includes a feeling finger 236 which depends from bracket 238 that is secured to the member 23*+· The feeling finger 236 is vertically adjustable in order to accommodate materials having different thicknesses. In the event that two. workpieces 26 are simuLtetneously fed between the' rollers 78 and 80 , the double thickness of such workpieces will make .contact with the thickness gauge 230. The feeling finger 236 has a sensitivity such that s jnicro-switch (not shown) will thereby be closed in order to actuate rejecter solenoid 2*+0 that will cause reject gate 232 to pivot counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 7 about point 2*+2. When this happens, the double thickness of workpieces 26 cannot pass over reject gate 232 toward the sewing station Ik* Instead, the open reject gate 232 acts as a trap door which deposits the double thickness of workpieces 26 downwardly into some convenient area for proper re-cycling. As shown in Fig. 7J the rejecter solenoid 2+0 has a plunger 2kk to which is pinned a rod 2k6 which in turn is secured at point 2k2 to the reject gate 232.

Also mounted on support member 23 is a light source photocell arrangement 2^8 which includes highly reflective surface 250 over which the workpieces 26 pass after leaving the rollers 78 and 80. The reflective surface 250 is positioned in such a manner that the light beam emanating from the light source will be reflected to the photocell at all times except when a workpiece 26 is moving upon reflective surface 250.

When the apparatus of the present invention is functioning normally, workpieces 26 will be fed one by one at predetermine ed intervals through rollers 78 and 80 and then across reflective surface 2 0 to roller 2 (Fig* 11) .

As the leading edge of the workpiece 26 moves upon reflective surface 250 the ath of li ht associated with hotocell its forward kicking position until such time as the light beam can be reestablished, and more particularly when the workpiece 26 has passed completely beyond reflective surface 250· When this occurs the light beam is reestablished, and the feeder foot 70 can now move backwardly and then downwardly upon the next workpiece 26* The aforesaid action is obtained through circuitry and an associated control means which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

In the event the feeder foot 70 should fail to pick up a workpiece 26, the feeder foot 70 will continue to rise and then kick forwardly in its usual manner. Because the feeder foot 70 did not pick up a workpiece 26, it will not deliver any workpiece to the rollers 8 and 80, and therefore the light beam associated with photocell 2h8 will not be broken in the usual manner. When the light beam remains unbroken after forward kicking of the feeder foot, the circuitry associated with other control means to be described hereinafter, becomes operative in order after a predetermined short time interval to restart the feeder foot 70 through its cycle of movement. Hence, the feeder foot 70 is caused immediately to rock backwardly and then descend in an effort to pick up another workpiece 26. If the feeder foot 70 again fails to pick up a workpiece 26, it will still rise and then kick forwardly and then this cycle will repeat itself in the manner just described. Should this occur a predetermined number of times, such as four times, the aforesaid control means will turn off the feeder foot mechanism and activate an indicator light.

As shown in Fig. 7» a short roller 25½ is positioned vertically above the roller 2 2 in order to transport the work-piece 26 toward and beyond reject gate 232 in the direction of transport belts 256.

As also shown in Fig. 7 the short rollers 80 are secured After tho workpiece 26 passes over reject gate 232 it moves (Fig. 3 ) on to transport belts 256 with a portion of the workplace 26 passing beneath preferably transparent plastic elongated fold plate 262 which extends from a point closely adjacent rollers 2 and 25*+ forwardly for a considerable distance toward the sewing station lk. The plate 262 is secured to and extends (Fig. 7) from a slightly elevated rod 26*+ which extends across the width of the apparatus. The fold plate 262 drapes gently toward and above reject gate 232 and then lays against two of the belts 256 (Fig. 3) for most of its length. The transport belts 256 are of the endless type and extend between driving roller 266 and idler roller 268 (Fig. 3) , although both of the rollers 266 and 268 may be driven, if so desired. The driving roller 266 is driven by means of a pulley 270 which in turn is driven by motor arrangement 272 (Fig. 2) .

As shown in Fig. 7 a support 27½ is provided on one side of the machine adjacent driving roller 266 in order to hold one end of a cross rod 276 which extends across the width of the machine and has an end 278 secured in panel 216 (Fig. 3) · The support 27½ is also provided to hold one end of elongated air tube 280 , the other end of which is secured upon support 282 (Figs. 3 and 1M-) . Air is fed to elongated tube 280 through air hose 28*+* It is thus seen that as the workpiece 26 is fed over the reject gate 232 and then onto driving roller 266 as best seen in Figs. 3 and 7 > certain portions of the workpiece 26 will be interposed between the fold plate 262 and upon the transport belts 256» Other portions of the workpiece 26 not lying beneath the fold plate 263 will tend to lay against the transport belts 256.

However, the elongated air tube 280 has a plurality of spaced openings 286 formed therein, each of which face inwardly to-* ward the transport belts 256. Hence, a series of j.ets of air 288 tube 280 as shown in Fig. 3 in such a way that the action of the air jets 288 causes e dge 290 to double over upon fold plate 262. The continued presence of the air jet s 288 maintains edge 290 in folded condition against fold plate 262 for a considerable portion of the travel of workpiece 26 via transport belts 256.

As shown in Fig . 7 the upper portions of the transport belts 256 after passing about driving roller 256, pass over short plate 292 which includes a lip 29>+ that act s to hold one edge of a stainle ss steel base 296. As the workpiece 26 travel along on transport belts 2 6 with edge 290 folded over as previously described, each workpiece 26 is fed beneath second hold down plate 298. A side guide 300 is provided which essentially runs along the length of the second hold down plate 298 but also extends slightly rearwardly of the plate 298. The side guide 300 terminates in an outwardly flared edge 30 which aids in guiding the folded edge 290 beneath the second hold down plate 298 which also possesses a flared entrance edge 30*+ to facilitate the entry of the workpiece 26 including folded edge 290 beneath second hold down plate 298.

In this connection a supplemental air tube 306 fed by compre ssed air hose 2θβ- is provided that extends into the flared entrance edge of hold down plate 298 so that the air jet emanating from the supplemental air tube 30 is directed against folded edge 290 of the workpiece 26 in the manner as shown in Fig . Ik, The side guide 300 is supported by means of an upstanding plate that is adjustably held in position through adjustment means 310 as shown in Fig. 1½.

The workpiece 26 with folded edge 290 is now conveyed under support rod 312 and then upon idler roller 268 into sewing area Ik and particularly upon sewing area bed 31½ that is adjustably mounted on post s 315 which extend from the sewing station 1 of the workpiece 26 -will still be located upon transport belts 256 that will continue to urge the entire workpiece 26 toward the sewing head 316.

Other details to be observed on Fig. 2 are the compressed air and vacuum supply means 318 which are of a construction well known to the art. As further shown in Fig. 2 , the entire feeder station 12 as well as the section of the apparatus between the rollers 266 and 268 are mounted upon a single carriage 320 that rolls on ground engaging wheels 322. This facilitates the transportation of the entire feeder station, as well as allowing the feeder station 12 to be temporarily rolled away whenever varying combinations of sewing machines, such as the pleating machine and a buttonhole making or button sewing machines are aligned in series. This will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, but as shown in Fig. 2, the sewing station l is mounted upon a carriage 32 that is supported on ground engaging wheels 326 that run in a direction perpendicular to the wheels 32 (see also Fig. 1A) .

As further shown in Fig. 2, a spring loaded lever 328 is provided upon the carriage 320 to control a resilient knob 330 which as shown in greater detail in Fig. IB abuts against the side of the carriage 32*+ in order to prevent movement of the carriage 32^ with respect to the carriage 320. Similar levers with resilient knobs are positioned upon other sewing sections to be discussed hereinafter that will be aligned in series after the carriage 32^.

As shown in Fig. 15 a spring biased idler roller 332 is positioned immediately above idler roller 268 , The ends of the roller 332 (Fig. 16) are journalled in side plates 333 that are pivoted at 33*+ to bar 33 and also adjustably supported on a rod 336 , with the plates 333 bearing upon coil spring 337 that is adustabl ositi ne a ut t driven roller 268 , it actually move s between the nip of the opposed rollers 268 and 332 and is advanced toward the sewing station 31 + and particularly sewing head 316, and in so doing passes beneath sewing guide 3+0 (Fig. 15) that is preferably of a transparent material. The workpiece 26 is then moved along sewing area bed 31½ toward a wheel 3*+2 supported on shaft 3½3 of hold down device 3 +. The hold down device 3^ is so constructed that the wheel 3½2 will be held above the sewing area bed 31*+ whenever a workpiece 26 is being fed toward the sewing head 316 until such time as the workpiece 26 has passed beneath the sewing head 316 and the sewing head has begun to operate upon the workpiece 26.

After the elapse of a predetermined time following the start of the sewing head 316 as initiated by the interruption of a light beam emanating from second light source photocell arrangement 3½6, the hold down device will be pivoted downwardly so that the wheel 3*+2 contacts the workpiece 26 which is now being advanced under the sewing head 316· The hold down device 3^ comprises two elongated parallel arms 3^8 (Fig. 16) which are supported upon the rod 3 2 by means of clips 350 that ne st beneath portions of rod 312s with the clips 3 0 being secured to the arms 3^8 by means of adjustable bolts 352. The elongated parallel arms 3 +8 are secured together by short links 351*·· As shown in Fig. 16, the shaft 3^3 of wheel 3>+2 of the hold down device 31+1+ is revolvably secured to the parallel arms 3^8 at 3 6 and 358.

The wheel 3*+2 of hold down device 3 + is held above sewing area bed 31*+ in order to allow a workpiece 26 to pass beneath the sewing head 316. The hold down device 3^+ is then pivoted downwardly by the rocking of support rod 312 so that the wheel 3*+2 will contact the workpiece 26· The aforesaid pivoting of the hold down device 3 + is 360 has the effect of rocking support rod 312 either upwardly or downwardly. Since the hold down device 3 + is secured to the rod 312 by means of clips 350, this will have the effect of lowering or raising the wheel 3V+-»- The operation of the air cylinder 360 (Fig. 15) has the effect of alternately raising and lowering a pin 362 which extends upwardly from the air cylinder 360. The air cylinder 360 is actuated through compressed air fed into it by way of hose 3.6½. i As shown in Fig. 15A, the upper end of the pin 362 is secured to a leg 366 of U-shaped bar 368. The other leg 370 of the bar 368 has an opening (not shown) which permits the passage of a threaded stem 372 of a long bolt having a head 37^· As further shown in Figs. 15A and 16, an actuating finger 378 is oper-atively secured to the threaded stem 372, This is accomplished by providing an opening in the actuating finger 378 so that the actuating finger 378 may be slipped upon the threaded stem 372 in a manner as indicated in Fig* 15 so as to be interposed between the coil springs 376.. A nut 380 (Fig# 15A) holds the entire assembly together.

It is thus seen that upward movement of pin 362 as caused by the operation of air cylinder 360 will have the effect of urging the bar 368 upwardly, and therefore carrying one end of -actuating finger 378 upwardly. However, the other end 382 of act-uating finger 378 is rigidly secured to support rod 312 by means of nut 38^ (Fig. 16). The support rod 312 is, however, revolv-ably secured at each end in the plates 333· Thus, upward movement of one end of actuating finger 378 will have the effect of causing the support rod 312 to rock in a given direction since the other end 382 of actuating finger 378 is secured to an extension of one end of support rod 312, and also since the support rod 312 is revolvably received in the plate 333. in Fig, 15 or Fig. 16» Since the hold down device 3^2 is secured to the support rod 312, counterclockwise rocking of the support rod 312 will cause the entire hold down device 3 to pivot in a counterclockwise sense as viewed in Fig. 1 J and so the wheel 3 + will be moved downwardly upon a workpiece 26 that is already beneath the sewing head 316.

The workpiece 26 must already be under the sewing head 3l6 j because the wheel 3*+2 will be moved upon a workpiece 26 only after the elapse of a predetermined short time following the breaking of the light beam associated with the light source -photocell arrangement 3*+6. As previously discussed, the light beam will be broken only when the leading edge of a workpiece 26 passes under the light source - photocell arrangement 3½6 that is positioned at the sewing head 316.

As further shown in Figs. 15 and 16S a spring finger 386 is secured upon the shaft 3*+3 of the wheel 3*+2. Thus, when the wheel 3 + is moved downwardly to contact a workpiece 263 the spring finger 386 is also moved downwardly to contact the work-piece 26 in order to facilitate passage beneath sewing head 316.

Other details to be observed in the sewing area (Fig. 15) and particularly in connection with the sewing head 31 include sewing needle 388 and presser foot 390. As shown in Fig. 16 a mirror 392 is provided in the sewing area in order to reflect the light beam emanating from photocell arrangement 3*+ , and to direct such a light beam to the photosensitive head of the arrangement 3^6. As further shown in Fig. 15S the sewing head also includes a bracket 3 *+ to which is secured by way of knob 396 a supplemental bracket 398 which supports an arcuate binding guide -00. As further shown in Fig. 15} binding k02 is threaded through the guide *+00 and then under the presser foot 390» As the presser foot 390 operates in a conventional manner in cooper* the same time as the workpiece 26 is drawn beneath the sewing head 316 in connection with the operation of the ¾wing needle 388 · Where desired, an auxiliary feed device (not shown) may be associated with the sewing head 316· Such an auxiliary device can include a driven belt which contacts the workpiece and may be made operative whenever the hold down device 3, - is actuated to move wheel 3*+2 downwardly into contact with a workpiece 26. The auxiliary feed device belt is operable through a separate device taken from the sewing machine motor and the belt is driven at such time as it is moved into contact with a workpiece 26 that has passed under the sewing head 316.

It should be noted, that when the light beam of the photocell arrangement 3½6 is broken, that this has the immediate effect of turning on the sewing machine. Furthermore, when the trailing edge of a workpiece 26 has passed beyond the sewing machine, thereby re-establishing the light beam, the sewing machine will be turned off, and the hold down device 3¥+ will be raised through downward movement of pin 362 as initiated by the operation of air cylinder 36Ο· This also causes the raising of spring finger 386, and any auxiliary feed device that may be associated with the hold down device 3 +.

In a preferred operation of the present invention, the auxiliary feed device may be operated by a connection to the sewing machine motor so that as soon as the sewing machine is turned on, the moving belt of the auxiliary feed device will also become operative. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the turning on of the sewing machine will also be accompanied with the start of a separate control mechanism which is operated on the basis of a count of the number of stitches made by the sewing machine.

While the belt of the auxiliary feed device will be moving, the auxiliary feed device itself will still remain elevated tive to move the hold down device ^+ downwardly into contact with a workpiece 26· The auxiliary feed device is preferably coupled to the hold down device 3 + so that the hold down device and the auxiliary feed device are actuated at the same time to move toward the workpiece 26, After the workpiece 26 moves beyond the sewing area l , it passe s between driving feed roller -ok (Fig. l8) and opposed roller 06» As shown in Fig. 1, endless transport belts o8 extend about the driving feed roller ^O^ and also about oidler roller lO much in the manner of the transport belt s 256. Where de sired, tensioners for the transport belt s (not shown) may be provided in order to obtain the de sired belt tension and spacing.

Therefore , as the workpiece 26 emerges from the sewing area 1½, it is pulle d by the action of the rollers hd and *+06 onto the transport belts *+θ8 and then carried toward cutter *+12. As shown in Fig. l8 the opposed roller +06 is revolvably secured upon a plate lk which is pivotally secured at *+16 to support *+l8. The other end of plate l - is resiliently biased through coil spring H-20 to frame 22 by having one end of coil spring k20 anchored to the frame h22.

The driving feed roller o - is revolvably secured to the frame *+22 and i s driven by moving belt h2h (Fig. 19) » The belt k2k is engaged by driving gear k26 , and the belt k2h also passe s about second gear 2&, and, of course , the driving feed roller ho as shown in Fig. 19* The driving gear *+26 receive s its power from motor ½30 which drive s shaft ½32 to which the gear h26 is attached. As also shown in Fig . 19, a second shaft k^k extends from second gear ^28, with third gear ^36 being secured to the other end of the shaft ^3^·. A second belt is engaged by the third gear ^36, and the second belt k$8 also passes about fourth gear +0. It is thu s seen that the b t k As furthqr shown in F g, 19, shaft h2 couple s fourth gear to gear W+. A belt *+>+§ is driven by the gear W+, and the belt +6 also passes about supplemental gear It is thus seen, that movement of second; belt !+38 causes movement of the belt ¥+6.

Further attention is cabled to Fig* 19 which shows that the supplemental gear +8 secured to one end of long shaft h5o which passes through support h$2, with wheel being secured to the other end of long shaft k%Q, A rod *+56 is eccentrically secured at 38 to the whqel k^+ i and the other end of the rod *+ is secured to a finger ½6Q which is spring biased via coil spring *+62. The finger *f60 is supported by the rod 6h and actuating link *+66 is secured to the finger ½60 for movement therewith* As the movement of the belt +6 causes long shaft *+ 0 to rotate, and also wheel k k- to revolve , the eccentric coupling of rod 1+ 6 to the wheel k h- causes the rod *+56 to undergo a crank action as the wheel rotates. As shown in Fig. 19» the rod k56 is spring biased by virtue of coil spring *+68.

Thus , the cranking of rod ½5 causes finger h60 to oscillate back and forth about its connection to rod - h. This has the effect of urging actuating link ½6ό back and forth, : As generally shown in Fig. l8, the oscillating link -66 is associated with gear ½70 which in turn meshes with the gears *+72, 7h and ½7 thrpugh certain intermediate gears*.

The gears ½ 0, *+72, and k?6 are a part of a conventional paper feeding raising and lowering mechanism, much in the manner of link l50 and gears 182, l8k and l86. As the workpieces 26 become stacked in alternating bundles + 8 and ½8o , the stacking platform *+82 is gradually lowered so that the height of the topmost wo kpiece 26 that has just been fed through the stacking area will remain essentially constant. A chain h8 and a counterweight ½86 are associated with the radual low rin mechani m n a As soon as a workpiece 26 no longer passes beneath the light source - photocell arrangement 3^-6 associated with sewing head 316, the light beam thereof is re-established. This has the effect of causing cutter hl2 to reciprocate back and forth across the width of the apparatus above transport belts k 8 in a manner as best shown in Figs. 25» 26, 27 and 28.

As previously stated, the transport belts OQ carry the workpieces one by one from the sewing area I through and beyond cutter l2. In a preferred form of construction, the re-establishment of the light beam in the photocell arrangement 3*+6 after the trailing edge of a workpiece 26 has passed beyond sewing head 316, sends a signal to the cutter *+12 which causes it to move across the width of the apparatus and thereby perform a cutting operation on a workpiece 26 which lies in the path of the cutting blade.

The cutter *+12 basically comprises a motor *+88 (Fig. 25) which continuously rotates circular cutting blade *+90· The cutting blade h9Q is reciprocated back and forth across the width of the apparatus by the action of a chain drive *+9 (Fig. 25) that drives a belt hk to which is secured a carriage -96 that supports the cutting blade +90* The carriage ½ is moved back and forth along track *+98 in a manner as shown in Figs. 27 and 28.

As- shown in Fig. 25s the blade ½90 is fitted with a guard 500 with the guard 500 also serving to hold shaft 02 (Fig. 27) that supports blade ½90. As shown in Fig. 27 the carriage k-96 possesses a V-notch o in order to accommodate the blade *+90.

The details of the carriage - 6 as located in the track k-98 are shown in Fig. 26 wherein the carriage *+96 is shown as being secured to the upper surface of belt It is thus seen that operation of air cylinder 5o8 causes reciprocation of shaft 512, This in turn causes first gear 5l8 to rock back and forth in response to the motion of rack 51 ·. The rocking of first gear 5l8 is conveyed through second gear 520 to third gear 524· which in turn cause s rocking or oscillation of driving shaft 526 which drives chain 4-92 through sprocket 8, The chain 4-92 has a connecting clip 531*· secured thereto which includes a nose 536 that is held captive in a slot in belt 4-9 -. Thus, reciprocation of chain -92 is directly conveyed to belt 4-94- through connecting clip 3*+· Since the carriage H-96 is secured to the belt 4-94· as shown in Fig. 263 the reciprocating action of air cyl- apparatus in response to a predetermined signal.

When air cylinder 5θ8 operates to reciprocate shaft 512, motor ½30 which drives transport belts *+08 may either be turned off or disengaged by a clutch mechanism (not shown) from causing the transport belts to move. Thus, when carriage *+ 6 reciprocates back and forth to cut a workpiece 26, the workpiece 26 will be stationary. As soon as the carriage k^6 completes its stroke the motor ½30 again drives the transport belts. The aforesaid action is achieved by tying in the operation of motor ½30 and air cylinder 508 through appropriate relays so that when air cylinder 5θ8 operates, motor *+30 will not be effective to drive belts ho8.

The workpiece 26 is now in condition to be stacked in one of the bundles *+78 and ½8o . Attention is called to Fig. 21 v. wherein a workpiece 26 is conveyed via transport belts to roller ^10.

In travelling through the stacking section,'' the work-piece 26 is carried by transport belts *+08 to upper roller 38 and lower roller 5*+0 which cause the workpiece 26 to pass downwardly to long reciprocable tray 5^2 as best seen in Fig* 21. The conveying of the entire workpiece 26 to the tray + is materially assisted by the action of moving belt that causes the work-piece 26 to be brought closely adjacent to the rearmost end of the apparatus, and in such a way that the entire workpiece 26 is positioned upon the tray 51+2.

As the workpiece 26 nears the rearmost end of the apparatus, it passes beneath stacker photocell 5^ . This has the effect of interrupting the light beam emanating from the stacker photocell ^ and thereby causing the tray *+2 to retract or reciprocate forwardly in tracks 5*+5 (Fig. 2 ) so that the workpiece 26 is dropped or deposited upon other workpieces 26 that are deposited in bundles ½78 and *+8θ upon stacking platform ½82. mounted through legs 5 2 upon frame 5 +3 and is supplied through air hoses 556. The operation of the air cylinder 550 has the effect of causing spring loaded plunger 558 with associated short rack 560 to reciprocate "back and forth. The short rack 560 meshes with a gear 562 which is attached to a shaft 6½ that passes through shafts 556, and has large ratchet wheel 568 secured to the opposite end thereof as shown in Fig. 20 and 21. A chain 570 passes about ratchet wheel 568, and also extends about upper small ratchet wheel 572 which is associated with and which causes a drum 57*+ to turn. A gear 576 also turns with the drum 57+J and the gear 576 meshes with small gear 578. As further shown in Fig. 20 a connecting rod 579 extends from the first gear 8 to a second small gear 578, with both of the gears 578 being secured on supports 580.

Both of the small gears 578 mesh with long rack 58l which is secured to the undersurface of the reciprocable tray 5^2 along each side thereof.

It is thus seen that when the light beam associated with stacker photocell ^6 is broken the air cylinder 550 becomes operative to cause short rack 560 to move outwardly. This has the effect of urging gear 562 and therefore endless chain 570 in a · counterclockwise sense as viewed in Fig. 21. Since the drum 57*+ turns with the endless chain 570, and since the gear 576 turns with the drum 57*+» the gear 576 will be rotated in a counterclockwise sense. This has the effect of causing small gears 578 to rotate in a clockwise sense as viewed in Fig. 21. Since the long racks 58l mesh with one of the gears 578, this has the effect of causing the long racks 58l and therefore the tray ^2 to retract forwardly, and thus the workpiece 26 which was on the tray 5^2, and which cannot move forwardly with the retracting action of the tray 5^2 and the opposing motion of belt will then drop by After the air cylinder 550 has moved the plunger 558 for-wardly to its maximum position, the air cylinder 550 then acts to move the plunger 558 rearwardly. The rearward or return stroke of the plunger 558 has the effect of now urging endless chain 578 in a clockwise sense, and in this way the long racks 58l are urged rearwardly , and the tray ^2 is therefore urged rearwardly to the full line position of Fig. 21 to await the deposit of another work-piece 26 and the interruption of the light beam associated with the stacker photocell $ 6 so that the aforesaid operation can repeat itself .

When the tray 5^2 returns to its rearwardly extended position a tamper 582 is thrust upon the bundles -78 and hQo in order to force them downwardly upon stacking platform *+82 to produce more compact bundles. In this way, the capacity of the stacking mechanism will be effectively increased, although this is an optional feature of the present invention.

The tamper 582 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 23 as being supported by rods 8½ which are secured to the underside of the tray 5^2* As shown in Fig. 20 , the rods 58*+ are secured to the underside of the tray 5^2 through pins 585 extending therefrom. The details of the tamper 582 are shown in Fig. 23 wherein the tamper 582 consists of two end rollers 586 which are adjustably mounted in slots 8 of parallel plates 588 which support the end rollers 586. The end rollers 58 each have pins 590 which extend through the rods 8½ and are mounted in the slots 587 of the plates 588.

As further shown in Fig. 23, there is also a middle roller 592 which has pins 59^· which permit the roller 592 to be mounted in the plates 588 · Coil springs 596 extend between middle roller 592 and one of the end rollers 586 in order to provide greater resiliency of the rollers 86 and 592 as enhanced by the floating t As shown in Fig. 21 , the tamper 582 is somewhat suspended from the tray 5^ by the relatively long rods 8½e When tray ^2 retracts , it moves forwardly a considerable distance as indicated in the phantom lines of Fig. 21. As an optional feature of the invention, a wiping bar 598 (Figs. 21 and 2 ) is provided to extend across a portion of the width of the apparatus immediately below tracks 5^8 as shown in Fig. 2* . When tray 5^2 retracts and carries tamper 582 with it, the rods ½ come in contact with the wiping bar 598, and the rods 8*+ are wiped upwardly so as1 to be positioned between tray 5^2 and the wiping bar 598 as shown in Fig. 2 as the tray 5^2 nears its forwardmost position.

When the tray 5½2 again moves rearwardly toward the full line position of Fig. 21, the rods 58½ move clear of the wiping bar 598, and the tamper 582 is dropped with force upon the bundles ½78 and h8o of workpieces that are stacked on the stacking platform ½82. In this way, a tamping force is exerted upon the bundles ½78 and ½8o.

As previously described, the workpieces 26 pass one by one beneath stacker photocell 5^6 under the urging of moving belt 5^+. A mirror 600 is provided (Fig. 20) in order that the light beam emanating from the light source of the stacker photocell arrangement *+ will be. reflected to the detector element of the stacker photocell arrangement 5*+6. When this light beam is broken by the passage of a workpiece 26, the tray ½ retracts as previously described.

As shown in Figs. 20 , 21 and 22, the stacker photocell arrangement 5^ is mounted upon a cross member 602. The cross member 602 is rendered movable by being mounted at one end thereof upon a wheel 60½ that may travel upon a bar 606. The other end of the cross member 602 is simply slidably mounted in a track 607* By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the stacker pho in Fig. 21 and the retracted position is shown in full line in Fig. 21* As will be described hereinafter, the stacker photocell 51+6 will be moved from time to time from its extended position to its retracted position, and in so doing, the alternating bundles *+78 and ½8o on the stacker platform *+82 will be formed* When the stacker photocell 5*+ is in its full line retracted position of Fig. 21 , the light beam associated with the stacker photocell arrangement will be broken at a point somewhat remote from the tray ½2, and thus a bundle ?Q will be produced so long as the stacker photocell ½6 is in its retracted position. When the stacker photocell arrangement is extended to the phantom position of Fig. 21 a bundle ½8o is created. It is thus seen, that the alternating bundles +78 and * 80 are compiled in accordance with the retraction and extension of the stacker photocell arrangement ^6.

The number of workpieces 26 in a particular bundle - 8 or ½8o can be controlled by using a counter which will send a signal to the means for retracting or extending the photocell arrangement ^6 after a predetermined number of workpieces 26 have been deposited upon the stacking platform ½82. This will cause a change of position in the stacker photocell arrangement 5*+6, and the counter will be reset so that after a predetermined number of workpieces 26 have been deposited into a new bundle in accordance with the position of the stacker photocell arrangement ^ , the position of the stacker photocell arrangement will again be changed in order to achieve the alternating bundles as shown in Fig. 21.

The position of the stacker photocell arrangement ^ is changed by the action of air cylinder 608 as best shown in Fig. 22. The air cylinder 608 has air hoses 609 associated with it with cylindrical housing 610 extending therefrom. The intermittent reciprocating action of the air cylinder 608 alternately causes a reci rocal rod 612 either to be extended as shown in F . the reciprocal rods 612. When the rod 612 moves outwardly, one end of the cross member 602 slides in the track 607 while the other end of the cross member 602 rides on bar 6θ8 with the help of wheel 60*+» It is thus seen, that alternating bundles ½78 and *+8o may be deposited, and this will be of great help in forwarding the work through other stations for additional processing.

As previously discussed, the belt moves the work-pieces 26 one by one rearwardly upon the tray ^2 until the light beam emanating from the stacker photocell arrangement 5*+6 is broken. As shown in Fig. 21, the belt is an endless belt which passes about roller 38 and then to rollers 61*+ and 616 which are re olvably mounted upon parallel plates 618 as shown in Figs. 20 and 21.

The belt then passes about rear small roller 620 and doubles back about front small roller 622, finally returning to the roller 38.

It is preferred that the belt kh be separately driven, although the movement of transport belts ^08 can be relied upon to drive the belt ^ through an appropriate gear arrangement as shown in Figs. 20 and 21. The movement of transport belts *+08 about roller *+10 causes the roller lO to revolve about its axis. A first gear 62k (Fig. 21) is associated with the roller ½10, and the gear 62*+ meshes with idler gear 626 as best shown in Fig. 21. The idler gear 626 meshes with a second gear 628 that is associated with roller 5*+0. By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the movement of transport belts o8 is used to rotate roller 5*+0. The rotation of roller 5^0 is in turn conveyed to roller 538 by appropriate gearing. In this way, the roller 3? is caused to rotate, and since the belt ^h passes about the roller 538, the entire belt +h will be moved through rotation of roller 538.

As shown in Fig. 20 the ends 630 of roller 5+0 are jour- suitable angle pieces 63*+ and 635 which extend from the basic framework of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 20.

The stacking platform (Fig. 20 ) rests upon a stacker carriage 636 which is secured to chain -Qh through link 637* Thus as the chain k8k- slowly descends with the accumulation of work-pieces 26 on stacking platform hQ2 as permitted through the action of actuating link ½66, the stacker carriage 636 will descend as guided by channel 638· As shown in Fig. l8, the entire stacking area is supported upon stacker base 639 from which depends ground engaging wheels 6* 0 that are mounted at Θ+2 on the base 639. As also shown in Fig. l8 a section of the apparatus which includes the cutter *+12 is mounted upon wheels 63^. It is thus seen by virtue of the foregoing arrangement and with reference to Fig. 1A that the present apparatus is actually composed of a series of sections including feeder carriage 320 , sewing station carriage 32½ and cutter section &+6, As shown in Fig. 18C the apparatus of the present invention can actually be built from a series of sections. For instances two different kinds of sewing machines can be interposed between the feeding section on one hand and the cutting and stacking sections. The first sewing machine can be a pleating machine with the second sewing machine being a buttonhole maker or a button sewer with the two sewing machines cooperating in order to perform operations upon a shirt or blouse front. Clearly, there are many combinations of finishing machinery on the market which can be assembled in an arrangement similar to Fig. l8c in order to perform a plurality of operations upon a workpiece 26. Appropriate timing apparatus may be utilized in order to coordinate the various operations of feeding, the plurality of sewing actions, and the cutting and stacking operations.

As previously discussed s ring loaded levers 328 (Fi . tain of the sections which are to "be built up to form the apparatus of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1A, the sewing station carriage 32½ includes sewihg ai a bed 3lh as supported upon posts 315· Also as shown in Fig. 1A there are supports such as bar 335 and support members 6½8 and 650 which are a part of the support arrangement for feeding area bed 652 and cutting area bed 65½- When the stacking platform *82 has received a desired number of workpieces 26, it is preferred to wheel away the stacking station and to replace it with a new stacking station rather than physically removing the bundles from the stacking station. In order to be certain that the apparatus will not operate when the loaded stacking station 18 is being wheeled away and before a new stacking station 18 is installed in its place, an arrangement such as that shown in Fig. l8A is utilized. As shown in Fig. l8A undersurface 656 of cutter section 6½6 is fitted with magnets 658 which will contact iron bars 660 which extend from stacker base 639· The undersurface 656 also has a microswitch 662 extending therefrom with the microswitch 662 having a contactor element 66½ which will be closed by abutment against bar 666 of stacker base 639 whenever the stacker base 639 is positioned adjacent undersurface 656 in the manner as shown in Fig. l8A. When a loaded stacker station 18 is wheeled away, the contactor element 66* will move outwardly of the microswitch 662 under spring pressure, thereby opening a circuit that will halt further operation of the apparatus until another stacker station 18 is moved adjacent the cutter section 6 6 so that the microswitch 662 is again closed.

As previously noted,"! the stacker platform h82 will gradually descend as workpieces 26 are deposited thereon. The stacker platform S2 as shown in Fig. l8B is essentially a board having a plurality of openings 668 which permit the passage of vertical upper ends 672 and are secured at their lower ends to stacker base 639.

Where desired* a scaffold arrangement 67^ such as shown in Fig. 29 may be utilized in order to support additional rollers or miscellaneous devices that will act upon a workpiece 26 as it is passing through the apparatus of the present invention. For instance, the scaffold arrangement 67*+ may be placed on the apparatus between the sewing station and the cutting station.

The scaffold arrangement 67½ includes supports 676 from which risers 678 extend. The risers 678 support cross rods 680 which in turn support cross bars 682 through clips 68 -, As shown in Figs. 30 and 31 the clips 68h Include forked arms 686 that terminate in arcuate fingers 688 which nest about a portion of the cylindrical surface of the cross rods 68θ · The forked arms 686 terminate upwardly in base 690 (Fig. 30 ) which receives a set screw 692 with a threaded stem 69^ that passes through base 690 in bearing contact with a cross bar 682 which is received between forked arms 686.

As shown in Fig. 29s certain of the clips 68*+ also support L-shaped brackets 696 , with the foot 698 thereof being positioned upon the base 690. The brackets 696 also include upwardly extending arras 700 through which pass upper cross rods 702. The upper cross rods 702 support upper cross bars 0 + through the use of upper clips 706 in a relationship substantially identical to cross rods 68Ο , cross bars 682 and clips 68h, The cross rods 682 may be used to support various auxiliary devices such as roller 708 which includes parallel arms 710 that are supported on a cross rod 680. A wheel 712 is revolvably mounted on the arms 710 and the collars 1½ are provided in order to maintain the roller 708 on the cross rod 680. A short rod 716 extends between the arms 710 at a point remote from the wheel 712 , It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scaffold arrangement of Fig. 29 offers various levels and points of support for auxiliary devices.

In operation workpieces 26 are placed in a stacked arrangement upon platform 28 as shown in Fig. 5 and retention fingers adjusted to maintain the configuration of the pile of workpieces 26. As the workpieces 26 are fed one by one by means of feeder foot 70, the platform 28 will gradually rise in order to maintain the topmost workpiece 26 at an essentially constant level.

The feeder foot 70 is located closely adjacent to a workpiece 26 at the start of the feeder foot cycle. The feeder foot 70 moves downwardly to contact the upper surface of a work-piece 26 through the adhesive means 76 associated with the feeder foot 70. The feeder foot 70 then starts to lift and suction means 82 become operative in order to assist in the lifting action. The feeder foot 70 lifts to a maximum height and then kicks forwardly to deliver the workpiece 26 to rollers 78 and 80. As the feeder foot 70 moves through its cycle, a fresh bit of tacky adhesive surface is provided by the nesting of pin 106 within opening 108 of drive housing 8*t as best illustrated in Fig. 8. This has the effect of urging pawl 118 into engagement with ratchet tooth 120 in order to intermittently advance adhesive tape means 76 between supply reel 86 and take-up reel 88.

The feeder foot 70 is caused to travel through its cycle of movement as shown in Fig. 10A by the operation of pivotal roller *+ and support roller 10k, The pivotal roller lOh can undergo rotational movement only while support roller 7*+ can undergo linear movement as well as rotational movement.

The movement of rollers 7½ and 10h is initiated through air actuated cranking means 1 0 as shown in Fig. 2. The cranking about pivotal secureraent 200. The cam 198 has a convex upper edge which is contacted by cam follower 206 that has a contactor 208 to which is secured pivotal roller lO , The contactor 208 makes actual contact with the convex upper edge of rocking caiS 198, and cam follower 206 is spring biased into engagement with the upper edge of cam 198· Thus, as cam 198 is rocked back and forth the contactor 208 is caused to move in the opposite sense, Since pivotal roller 10h is secured to contactor 208, the rocking i;f cam 198 by cranking means l50 has the effect of rocking pivotal roller 10½. The rocking of pivotal roller lO is converted through coupling 1*+8 and guide cam 210 into rocking and linear movement of the transport roller ?k to which the feeder foot 70 is secured.

The support roller 7+ can move linearly because it is not restrained in the manner that pivotal roller 10k is restrained. Since the feeder foot 70 moves with the support roller 7*+ 3 the rocking and linear movement of the support roller ?k cause the feeder foot 70 to move through its cycle of positions feeding the workpiece 26 to serrated transport roller 78.

The actual movement of the support roller 7)+ is controlled by roller 2lh in connection with guide cam 210» By virtue of the movement of the roller 2lh the entire support roller 7*+ is raised and lowered as well as thrust back and forth. Furthermore, when the roller 2l is moving horizontally along short run 222 of cam 210, it will float somewhat in the horizontal sense.

When the feeder foot 70 descends upon the topmost work-pieces 26 so that the adhesive tape means contact the topmost workpiece 26, the suction means 82 will become operative as soon as the feeder foot 70 has lifted for a predetermined short time from its lowermost position. In this way, the picking up of more ive tape means 76 contacted the workpiece 26.

The vacuum and suction means 82 is turned off just before the workpiece 26 is fed between rollers 78 and 80 in order to minimize the resistance to forward feeding of the workpiece 26 as it is grabbed by the rollers 78 and 8o , The vacuum is turned off when a cam is mechanically tripped by the forward kicking action of the feeder foot.

In the event the feeder foot 70 accidentally picks up more than one workpiece 26 at a time, a reject mechanism including thickness gauge 230 and reject gate 232 will open to prevent the travel of such a double layer through the apparatus of the present invention.

If the feeder foot 70 has fed a workpiece 26 to the rollers 8 and 80, the workpiece 26 will be fed beneath pick-up photocell arrangement 2h8 that actuates a timer cycle which will prevent the operation of the feeder foot 70 for short controllable intervals. This will achieve proper spacing of the workpieces 26 as they move down the apparatus of the present invention.

If the feeder foot 70 fails to pick up a workpiece 26 s a control mechanism will become active so that the feeder foot 70 will immediately repeat its cycle. If the feeder foot 70 fails to pick up a workpiece 26 for a predetermined number of times another control means will turn off the mechanism.

The workpiece 26 is now moved toward the sewing station i by transport belts 2 . The workpiece 26 passes upon fold plate 262 and air jets 288 emanating from tube 280 tend to blow the elongated edge 290 of the workpiece in such a way as to cause edge 290 to double over upon fold plate 262. The folded work-pieces are then fed beneath a hold down plate 298 and a supplemental air tube 306 associated therewith provides an additional air jet in order to facilitate the passage of the folded work- and passes beneath sewing guide $hO (Fig. IJp . As this occurs, the viorkpieqes 26 also pass beneath hold d$wn device 3M+, After the elapse of a. predetermined short time following the start of the sewing head 3l6 as initidtesd by the interruptio of a light beam emanating from sev nS mac ine light source photo-cell arrangement 3^6, the hold dow de ice 3 will be pivoted downwardly so that the wheel ^ of device 3*+½ contacts the work-piece 26 which is now being advanced under the sewing head 316· The aforesaid pivoting of the hold down device 3^ is accomplished by operation of air cylinder 360 as best shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The operation of air cylinder 3^0 has the effect of alternately raising and lowering a pin 362 which urges actuating finger 378 upwardly, and this has the effect of causing support rod 312 to rock in a given direction* In this manner the hold down device 3 + which is secured to support rod 312 will be pivoted so that wheel 3½2 contacts workpieCe 3 +.

The operation of air cylinder 36^ will take place only after the workpiece 26 has moved under sewing head 31 * This is achieved by the operation of a time delay mechanism that is" actuated with the breaking of the light beam associated with the sewing machine photocell arrangement 31+$· TftS Si?, cylinder 36Ο becomes effective af er* a pre-determined s rt. time delay in order" to permit the workpiece 26 to have passed, under the wheel 3½2 before the hold down device 3**4 including the wheel 3*+2 is moved downwardly by the operation of air cylinder 360 When the hold down device 3]^ moves downwardly to contact, the workpiece 26, it carries with it spring finger 386 in order to simulate the fingers of a human operator in feeding the workpiece 26 through the sewing area. Where desired, an auxiliary feed device (not sho n) may be assoqiated with the sewing head , 316.. Such an auxiliary device will include a driven belt that be auxiliary feed device is not actually lowered upon the workpiece 26 until the hold down device 3^ is actuated* As soon as the sewing machine photocell arrangement 3^ is actuated, the sewing machine clutch engages and the sewing action starts.

In many adaptations of the present invention the work-piece 26 passes from the sewing area and is then acted upon by a secondary sewing machine, such as a buttonhole sewer or a button sewer. The sewing action of the primary and secondary sewing machines or of other devices which may be inserted following the primary sewing machine is controlled by reference back to the number of stitches sewn by the primary sewing machine. A counting and control mechanism is actuated and then deactivated by reference to a predetermined number of stitches that have been sewn, as will be described hereinafter.

After the workpiece 26 moves beyond the sewing area, it passes between driving feed roller o (Fig. 18) and opposed roller *+06 so that the workpiece 26 is carried onto transport belts +08 toward cutter ½12.

The driving feed roller kck receives its power through gear ≥6 that is driven by motor ^30. The motor +30 also drives a second belt ^38 which as shown in Fig. 19 is eventually connected to an actuating link k66. This has the effect through gears *+70, ½7 , h7k and ½76 of gradually lowering stacking platform hS2 as workpieces 26 become stacked thereon in alternating bundles ½78 and h8o.

When a workpiece 26 no longer passes beneath the sewing machine photocell arrangement 3½6, the light beam thereof is reestablished. This has the effect of causing cutter *+12 to reciprocate back and forth one time across the width of the apparatus above: transport belts ½08 in a manner as shown in Figs. 25 to 28. ary when the cutter hl2 becomes operative.

The motor *+88 of the cutter -12 continuously rotates circular cutting blade ½90. The cutter ½12 is caused to reciprocate back and forth by operation of chain drive k<)2 (Fig, 25) that drives a belt *+9½ to which is secured reciprocal carriage h96 that supports the cutting blade ½90· The carriage $6 is moved back and forth through the action of air cylinder 5θ8 as shown in Figs. 25 and 27, The operation of air cylinder 508 causes gear 5l8 to rock back and forth one time in response to the motion of rack 1^· The rocking of the gear 5l8 is then conveyed through other gearing to driving shaft 526 which drives chain +92 through sprocket 523. The chain - has a connecting clip 52k secured thereto which is held captive in a slot in belt 9hs and in this way the reciprocation of chain h-92 is directly conveyed to The workpiece 26 is now in condition to be stacked in one of the bundles 78 and ^80» In travelling through the stacking station the workpiece 26 is carried by transport belts * )8 to upper roller 38 and lower roller ^0 which cause the workpiece 26 to pass downwardly to ldng reciprocable tray 5½2 through the action of moving belt 51+1+· As the workpiece 26 nears the rearmost end of the apparatus it passes beneath stacker photocell arrangement 5*+6. This has the effect of interrupting the light beam emanating from the stacker photocell arrangement ^6 and thereby causing the tray ^2 to retract or reciprocate forwardly in tracks 5+8 so that the workpiece 26 is dropped or deposited upon other workpieces 26 that are already deposited on stacker platform 32 in bundles ½78 and ½80t When the light beam associated with the stacker photocell ^6 is broken, a signal is sent to air cylinder 550 (Fig. 21). ' iated therewith. The aforesaid reciprocating action is carried through a chain 570 and finally to small gears 578 which mesh with long racks 588 secured to the undersurface of the reciproca-ble tray 5*+2 along each side thereof in order to reciprocate tray 5^2.

After the air cylinder 550 has moved the plunger 558 forwardly to its maximum position, the air cylinder 550 then acts to move the plunger rearwardly. The rearward or return stroke of the plunger 558 has the effect of now urging endless chain 578 in the opposite sense in order that the tray 5*+2 will be brought rearwardly to its fully extended position to await the deposit of another workpiece 26.

When the tray 5+2 returns to its rearwardly extended positions a tamper 582 is thrust upon the bundles ?8 and *+8o in order to force them downwardly upon stacking platform *+82 to produce more compact bundles.

The tamper 582 (Fig. 21) is somewhat suspended from the tray 5^2 by the relatively long rods 581+. When the tray 5+2 re-tractsj it moves forwardly a considerable distance and carries tamper 582 with it. As the tray 5+2 ret actss the rods 58 + come in contact with wiping bar 598 which extends across the width of the apparatus immediately below tracks +8. This has the effect of wiping the rods 8¼ upwardly so as to be positioned between tray 5*+2 and wiping bar 98 as shown in Fig. 2 , When the tray *+ again moves rearwardly toward the full line position of Fig. 215 the rods 58*+ move clear of wiping bar 598 and the tamper is dropped with force upon the bundles V78 and 80 of workpieces that are stacked on the stacking platform ½82 in order to exert a tamping force thereon.

The stacker photocell arrangement 5^6 will be located at all times in either an extended position as shown in phantom in time to time from its extended pes. t .. c ics retracted position and in so doing the alternating bundles ½78 and ½8θ on the stacker platform k82 -will be formed.

When the stacker photocell ½ is in its full line retracted position of Fig. 21, the light beam associated therewith will be broken at a point somewhat remote from the far end of the tray 5+2, and thus a bundle ½78 will be produced so long as the stacker photocell arrangement + is in its retracted position. When the stacker photocell arrangement is extended to the phantom position of Fig» 21, somewhat near the end of the tray 5+2, a bundle *+8o is created.

It is thus seen, that the alternating bundles *+78 and 80 are compiled in accordance with the retraction and extension of the stacker photocell arrangement ^6. The number of work-pieces 26 in a particular bundle *+78 or Qo and the number of bundles *+78 and k8o can be controlled by using various control counters. In particular, one form of counter sends a signal to the means for retracting or extending the photocell arrangement ^6 after a pre-determined number of workpieces 26 have been deposited upon the stacking platform k82 in order to change the position of the stacker photocell arrangement *+ , At this time the counter will be reset so that after a pre-determined number of workpieces 26 have been deposited into a new bundle in accordance with the new position of the stacker photocell *+ 3 its position will again be changed in order to achieve the alternating bundles as shown in Fig. 21.

The position of the stacker photocell 5+ is changed by the action of air cylinder 6θ8 as best shown in Fig, 22. The intermittent reciprocating action of the air cylinder 6θ8 alternately causes a reciprocal rod 612 to be either extended or retracted, and the stacker photocell *+6 is accordingly extended or retracted. When the rod 612 is moved outwardly by the action of air c l stacker photocell 5½ , slides in the track 607» while the other end of the cross member 602 rides on the bar 606 with the help of the wheel 60½.

It is thus seen that the present invention completely automates the sewing process* Attention is now referred to Figs. 32, 33 and 3*+ which show the wiring diagrams of control circuits which coordinate the various components of the present invention.

The circuitry for controlling the action of feeder foot 70 is shown in Figs. 32. Power is provided to the circuits of Fig. 32 through the power sources shown therein. The circuit leading to normally closed contact r^ is powered by a 110 volt alternating current source when the switch associated with the circuitry in the right hand section of Fig. 3 is closed.

As shown in Fig, 32 the two upper microswitches are open, and therefore power can essentially flow only through normally closed contact r^ to the normally closed contact of r^_^ and then to S2 "which is a solenoid that drives air actuated cranking means 150 in a clockwise sense. This has the effect of driving the two cams 159* which are mechanically coupled together in a clockwise sense. Although a circuit is also made to which is the feeder foot photocell arrangement relay, the current ordinarily flowing in such a circuit is extremely small until the light beam associated with feeder foot photocell arrangement 2 8 is broken, when a large current flows in the circuit and closes the normally opened contact r^.

When power flows through the two cams l59f are rotated in a clockwise sense, and this has the effect of causing the feeder foot 70 to descend slightly to the lowermost point of its cycle so that adhesive tape means 76 contacts the topmost wokpiece 26 which is about to be fed from platform 28· As the cams 159* continue to revolve in a clockwise sense, the feeder foot ea 0 ifts t the cams 1591 nave moved a full one half rotation from the position shown in Fig. 32 so that their pointers are now directly down instead of up as shown in Fig. 32· When the right hand cam 159' of Fig. 32 begins to pivot in a clockwise sense, a roller which it was contacting is now free to pivot in a counterclockwise sense under spring loading, and therefore the upper right hand microswitch of Fig. 32 will now close. When the cam 1591 rotates for a full l8o° so that its pointer is down, the lower roller is contacted, and this has the effect of closing the lower microswitch.

At this point, a circuit is made to which is the relay which controls the operation of air actuated cranking means 150. This causes normally open contact r^_2 to close, and this contact will latch in the closed position. The turning on of relay has the effect of closing the normally open contact, and opening the normally closed contact of the contact pair r^-^* When this occurs, power now flows to solenoid instead of solenoid S2j and this has the effect of reversing the operation of air actuated cranking means 150.

The two cams 159' now begin to pivot in a counterclockwise sense until the upwardly pointing position of Fig. 3 is reached. As soon as the cams 159' begin to pivot in a counterclockwise sense, the lower microswitch will open, but power will continue to be fed to relay R^ because of the latching action of contact r^ 2· However, when the cams 1591 have reached their upwardly pointing position of Fig. 32, the upper microswitch opens. This has the effect of opening the circuit to relay R and the condition of the contact pair ^i-l a§a;*-n changes to that shown in Fig. 32.

Therefore, the net effect is again to feed power to solenoid but not to feed power to solenoid S^. When the cam the next workpiece 26 that is positioned on platform 28.

If there were no other circuitry associated with the feeder foot 70, it -would conttouausty" feed worpieces 26 toward the sewing station. However, the feeder foot 70 can move so rapidly that it is desired to introduce a time delay after it has gone through its cycle* This is the reason for the presence of feeder ^ foot photocell arrangement 2*+8.

It will be recalled that the workpiece 26 passes over the reject gate 232 and then beneath the photocell arrangement 2*+8, At this point, the light beam associated with the photocell arrangement 2hS is interrupted, and a relatively large current flows in the circuit of photocell amplifier relay R^. This has the effect of closing normally open contact ^ and timer T will operate.

Incidentally, it should be noted that air actuated cranking means 150 which actually drives feeder foot 70 will operate so long as relay R^ is turned off since normally closed contact r^ passes power to either of the solenoids S-^ or S^.

Power is also fed to vacuum time delay relay R^ which closes normally open contact that introduces the vacuum action after the feeder foot 70 has operated for a short time period in order to be sure that the feeder foot 70 has now started its lifting action so that the vacuum will not cause more than one workpiece 26 to be drawn against adhesive tape means 7 , Attention is now referred to the left circuit of Fig, 32 which illustrates what happens when the timer T is rendered operative by the breaking of the light beam associated with the photocell arrangement 2^8, and also what happens when work is not fed and therefore the light beam of photocell arrangement 2½8 is not broken.

In the latter case, the circuitry of Fig. 32 causes the to pick up, since there is no reason to have a time delay Both cams 159^ are coupled to pivot together so that when the cams 159' return to their upwardly pointing position of Fig. 32, the left hand cam contacts a roller which closes a left microswitch of Fig. 32. The pulser of the left circuitry has been previously built up, and with the closing of the left micro-switch, the pulser dumps its charge through the master control relay R · It should be remembered that the air actuated cranking means 150 will operate so long as the relay R^ is turned off.

Conversely, when the relay ^ is turned on¾ the air actuated cranking means 150 no longer operate until the master relay R^ is again turned off.

When the pulser dumps its charge upon the closing of the left- microswitch, the relay ^ comes on momentarily and closes the normally open contact Γ3_ι· This makes a circuit which includes normally closed contact t,j., now closed contact r3.-_1. and normally closed contact Γ^^· ^ne aforesaid circuit also loads to master relay ^, and thus the master relay R^ is held on, at least so long as the normally closed contact r^ 2 remains in the normally closed position.

As soon as master relay R^ is energized, the feeder · foot 70 no longer operates for reasons previously discussed.

When the master relay R^ is energized, the normally opened contact is closed and a circuit is also made through rapid cycle time delay relay ^* At the expiration of a pre-determined time, less than three seconds, contact ^s opened and contact r^^ is closed.

At this point, further action depends upon whether a workpiece 26 has interrupted the light beam associated with photocell arrangement 2½8. If the light beam has been interrupted, the normally open contact r^ is closed and timer T becomes opera and power may still be fed to the master relay R^ through normally closed contact t , now closed contact r. Ί and now closed contact t.» This circuit will continue to be closed even after the time delay relay R_, has come on and opened the normally closed contact r5„ · Thus, the master relay R-, will be held on until -2 J the timer T has operated through its period of time delay.

At the conclusion of the time delay period, the normally closed contact t^ opens, and this has the effect of opening the circuit to the master relay R^. The master relay R^ is therefore deenergized, and the contact r^ now closes in order to start the action of the air actuated cranking means 150 by feeding power to either of the solenoids S-^ or in a manner as prer viously described.

In the event that the feeder foot 70 has failed to pick up a workpiece 26, the light beam associated with the photocell arrangement 2^-8 is not broken, and the action which leads to the immediate operation of the feeder foot 70 will be described* When the cams 159' have returned to their upwardly pointing position of Fig. 3 the left microswitch is closed which causes the pulser to dump its load through the master relay ^. As previously stated, a circuit is made through the relay R^ which includes normally closed contact t^, now closed contact 811(1 normally closed contact r^g* Wnen t e master relay ^ is energized, the action of the air actuated cranking means 150 ceases.

Also, when the master relay R-> is energized, the normal-ly open contact ^^-2 ^s cl°sed and power is fed to time delay relay ,-, When the contacts of relay R^ are switched after a predetermined short time interval, the normally closed contact T ~2 will be opened. contact tg and the now open contact r^_2 turns off ^o mas^er rela Ry This has the effect of closing contact and the feeder foot 70 will operate almost immediately.

It is thus seen that either the timer T will operate in ordei* to defeat the effect of time delay relay Rj and hold master relay R^ on, or the time delay relay R5 will have the effect of turning off master ieia 3 in order to initiate the cycle of feeder foot 70* The circuitry associated with the sewing area as shown in Fig. 33 wherein the closing of a switch feeds power to relay R. which is actually the sewing machine photocell arrangement 3*6. Thus, when a workpiece 26 interrupts the light beam associated with the photocell arrangement 3½6, the sewing machine relay Ri is energized, and this has the effect of closing normally open contact r^ This feeds power to sewing machine clutch solenoid and starts the operation of the first sewing machine. Power is also fed to a delay circuit which after a pre-determined time interval causes the hold down device 3^ to become operative through solenoid S^k Power is also fed to the rear conveyor motor so that the workpiece 26 now beneath the photocell arrangement 3^ will be carried toward the cutter ½12· Finally, power is also fed to a billing counter in order to produce a record of the operation of the ppesent invention for financial purposes.

As further shown in Fig. 33J t e interruption of the light beam associated with the photocell arrangement 3^6 closes normally open contact r^^, power is fed to a stitch counter. It is preferred that the stitch counter be operative after a predetermined number of stitches (referred to as a low count), and that the stitch counter becomes inoperative after another pre-de-termined number of stitches (referred to as the high count) have been sewn. For instance, the stitch counter can be set at values + the secondary action will he halted. Such secondary action can be incorporated within the primary sewing machine, such ass shirring or pleating, or can be the operation of a secondary sewing machine for purposes of sewing a buttonhole or a button, with the secondary sewing machine being located downstream of the primary sewing machine* Also as shown in Fig. 33 is a reset device C2 which cau--ses the stitch counter to repeat its action either not at all (setting No. 1) or to repeat the action once (setting No. 2) or to repeat the action twice (setting No. 3)· In other words, if the reset device C2 is on setting 3s and if the stitch counter is set at 30 and ho, the secondary sewing machine will become operative at the 30th stitch, will turn itself off at the ½0th stitch, will become operative at the 70th stitch, will turn itself off at the 80th stitch, will become operative at stitch 110, and will finally turn itself off at stitch 120» Obviously, the reset device C2 can be constructed to provide more than two repetitions.

Reference is now made to the small circuit diagram in the lower left corner of Fig. 33 which is powered by a 12 volt alternating current source. When the light beam associated with the sewing machine photocell 3^6 is interrupted, relay R^ is energized as previously discussed. This has the effect of opening normally _ closed contact Γ-^_2· When the light beam associated with the photocell arrangement 3^6 is no longer interrupted, the relay R^ is deenergized and the contact '^^2 becomes closed. The net effect is that the pulser then dumps its charge through cutter solenoid so that the cutter l2 advances across a workpiece 26.

Meanwhile relay R2 is energized with the operation of reset device C2 so that the contact r2 is closed and power is fed the secondary device solenoid S2» such as a buttonhole sewing machine, a button sewing machine, a shirring or pleating machine. This current also owers the knife of the cutter l2. However the cutter at which time contact r-j.-^ becomes close d.

The circuitry associated with the stacking mechanism of the present invention is shown in Fig . wherein the stacker photocell arrangement ^ is represented by the relay R^. When the light beam associated with the stacker photocell arrangement *+ is interrupted, the relay is energized and the contact ^i-l is closed in order to actuate the solenoid which initiates the operation of air cylinder 550 which drives tray 5J+2.

When stacker relay is energized, contact r^_2 is also closed in order to retract or extend the photocell arrangement ½ from time to time in order to produce the alternating bundles * 78 and *+80, With reference to the right side of the circuitry of Fig» 3^» there is provided a pile counter and a bundle counter* Each time the tray 5*+2 reciprocates, a signal is sent to the pile counter. When a pre-det ermine d number of signals have been sent to the pile counter which corresponds to the number of workpieces 26 desired in a particular pile , the pile counter sends signals to the bundle counter and also the bundle shift control C .

The bundle counter is set to permit a pre -determined number of bundles to be established on stacking platform ½82, and then the apparatus will be automatically turned off .

Each time a signal is sent to bundle shift control C , the bundle shift solenoid S2 is actuated in order to operate air cylinder 6o8 so that the stacker photocell arrangement 5½ is either extended or retracted in order that the alternating bundles k78 and h8o will be produced. Finally , Fig. >3 shows a reset switch in the circuit of the bundle counter, the re set switch being the microswitch 662 which will prevent all operation of the pre sent apparatus when a stacker section loaded with alternating bundles +78 and *+8θ is wheeled away and prior to the substitution sleeve or shoulder goods may be sewn with the apparatus of the present invention. Also, various safety devices well known to those skilled in the art may be installed in the circuitry of the present invention. If desired, manual control of the operation of the various elements of the present invention may be introduced for troubleshooting purposes.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (20)

i/ WHAT IS CLAIMED IS»

1. An apparatus for automatically feeding work-pieces of cloth to the swing station of an automatic sewing assembly* said apparatus comprising reciprocating and forwardly thrusting feeder foot means* said feeder foot means having vacuum means associated therewith and also including a feeder belt assembly having an adhesive tape* means for advancing said adhesive tape after a stroke of said feeder foot means* said cloth being advanced in a stroke by said reciprocable and forward thrusting foot means.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 characterized by a cam arrangement for operating said feeder foot in accordance with a cycle that Involves a lowering step to contact a piece of cloth* a raising and forwardly thrusting step to feed said piece of cloth to transport rollers and rearward and downwardly dropping step toward the next piece of cloth to comitate the cycle.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 2 characterized by means for activating said vacuum means after the elapse of a predetermined short time interval following the initial lifting of said feeder foot means.

4. ¾. The apparatus according to Claim 1 characterized by a plurality of pieces of cloth being provided in a pile on a platform* means to gradually raise said platform as said pieces of cloth are fed by said feeder means in order to maintain the topmost workplece at an essentially constant level, and retention fingers to maintain said pile and to minimize the feeding of P.A. No.26027 File 15539 31^ .XII.69.

5. · The apparatus according to Claim 1 characterized by said feeder foot being actuated by a pivotable roller and a support roller, said feeder foot being mounted on said support roller, said pivotable roller being rocked by air actuated cranking means, said support roller being coupled to said pivotal roller for rotational and linear movement ·

6. · The apparatus according to Claim 5 characterized by a first cam that is rocked by said air actuated cranking means, the rocking of said first cam causing rocking of said pivotal roller, the rotational and linear movement of said support roller being guided by a second cam.

7. · The apparatus according to Claim 1 characterized by a reject mechanism to prevent the downstream travel of multiple pieces of cloth.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 1 characterized by time delay means to prevent said feeder foot from operating for a short, controllable interval in the event the feeder foot has fed a piece of cloth to a feeder photocell arrangement.

9. · The apparatus according to Claim 8 characterized by means to cause said feeder foot immediately to repeat its cycle in the event the feeder foot has failed to feed a piece of cloth to the feeder photocell arrangement and means to deenergize the feeder foot in the event of a predetermined number of failures. P.A. No. 26027 File 15539 16.XII.69.

10. An automatic sew ng assembly comprising a feeding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and further including, a sewing station, cutting means and stacking means, said sewing station including a sewing machine and means to actuate the sewing machine in response to the feeding of said goods, means adapted to actuate said cutting means in response to the movement of said goods through said sewing station and means adapted to actuate said stacking means in response to the movement of said goods beyond said cutting means.

11. The apparat s according to Claim 10 characterized by jet means to fold a portion of a previously fed piece of cloth over a fold plate as transport belts carry said piece of cloth toward said sewing station.

12. Hie apparatus according to Claim 10 characterized by a sewing machine photocell anangement adapted to initiate action of the sewing machine upon passage of a piece of cloth, a hold-down device also moving against said piece of cloth after elapse of a predetermined time period and means to actuate said hold-down device. 13· The apparatus according to Claim 10 characterized by a secondary sewing device adapted to be placed in series in downstream relationship with respect to a first sewing machine. - 6*3 -

13. P.A. No. 26027

14. File.10539 16.XII.6?· 1¾. Ihe apparatus according to Claim IO characterized by means to energize a conveyor belt upon actuation of said photocell arrangement and means to deenergize said conveyor after passage of a piece of cloth» said last-named means also energizing a cutter to reciprocate back and forth one time to cut said piece of cloth, said cutter having a blade which is continuously operated.

15. * The apparatus according to eiaim 10 characterized by said piece of cloth being caused to travel from a cutter to a long reciprocable tray by moving belt means* a stacker photocel .arrangement adapted to cause said tray to reciprocate one time in order to deposit a piece of cloth on a stacker platform, means to gradually lower said platform as said pieces of cloth are deposited in order to maintain the topmost piece of cloth at an essentially constant level.

16. The apparatus according to Claim 15 characterized by means to move said stacker photocell arrangemei in a pr©-determined controllable cycle back and forth between an extended and a retracted position in order to form alternating bundles of pieces of cloth.

17. I?. The apparatus according to Claim 15 characterized, by a tamper adapted to be thrust upon pieces of cloth deposited upon said stacker platform.

18. An automatic sewing apparatus substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. P.A. No. 26027 File 15539 16. II.69.

19. 1-9. An apparatus for automatically feeding vorkpieces of porous cloth stacked into at least one pile to the sewing station of an automatic sewing machine* said apparatus including a reciprocable feeder foot operative to contact a workplace in said pile and to separate said workplece from the remainder of the pile, 'said feeder foot having an adhesive surface for engagement with said workpiece to achieve an Initial separating action* said feeder foot further including vacuum means activated immediately a ter said initial separating action* said vacuum means upon activation assisting said adhesive surface and maintaining contact with said feeder foot and said workpiece during continued separating action.

20. An apparatus according to Claim 19 including su face means for advancing said adhesive/after a stroke of said feeder foot. COHEN ZEDEK & SPISBACH. P.O. Box 1169* Tel-Aviv. Attorneys for Applicants.