US1719785A

US1719785A - schafjf

Info

Publication number: US1719785A
Authority: US
Priority date: 1925-05-05
Publication date: 1929-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1946-07-02
Also published as: GB251940A; FR617896A

Description

July'z, 1 929. M, M, SCHARF 1,719,785

SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheetl l Ummm .u1 "d "um IIIIIII Il SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheff(v` 2 31a/vento@ July 2,1925. x M MscHARF 1.719.785

' -SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 /05 Y /ooA July 2, 1929. M, M SCHARF 1,719,785*y SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 k*Jlllly 2, 1929; M, M' SCHARF 1719.785

SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 60 se Y f 6J I Hm, *A l t Imm j; l

gmf

July 2, 1929. M M, SCHARF 1.719.785

SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 'i III MN M'. M. SCHARF July 2, 1929.

SEWING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 5, 1925 constituting the frame.

Patented 'July 2, .1929.

i mais MICHAEL M. SCHARF, v0]? LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

e snwnvefivmonrnn. A

` Appnation'lea May 5, 1925. serial' No.7"2s,`14s. c

subject of the manufacture of umbrellas',

parasols and the like7 thecoveror fabric poreV tion of the umbrella is composed of a plurality oftriangularsegments stitched together i along their adj acent edges parallel to the ribs On completion of the cover, it is stitched over the central rod and the outer Aperiphery of the cover is then stitchedv or sewed by hand to the.' end ofthe rib. rFhe rib tip is providedwith a smalleye or'aperture, and the end of the coverturned inwardly adjacent the eye, where it is sewe'd tothe rib, the thread passing several'times thru the fabric and eye and around the upper side and then theunder sideof the cover. The present invention contemplates a sewing machine for performing this stitching` opera-v tion which heretofore has always been'done' by'hand, w i

Itis therefore one of thel objects of the pres-` ent invention to'provide a simple and practicalsewing machine of the labove vgeneral character which will beso faras possible` entirely automatic in its operation. f

A further object of this invention is toprovide a machine of the above character that will automatically gripy the cover inproper position" about the en d off the rib inlpredetermined relation to a reciprocating needle which will stitch the cover tothe rib.

A further object is to provide a machine of the last mentioned character with suitable mechanism for reciprocating the needle. at vperiodicalintervals and simultaneously shifting the worlr support or that part which .grips the fabric and rib whereby V,the stitching thread is caused to pass thru lthe eye of the rib and above and below the same in l`exactly the manner that the stitchingoperationihas been heretofore performed by hand;

- A further object is to provide a machine for automatically compensating the throw of the thread with respect to .the amount of thread used whereby the thread will be drawn taut at eachstitc'hing operation.

' A further object isrto provide a 'mechanismy ofthe above described character forsevering A further obj ect is to provide alsimpleand practical mechanism Ifor automatically rethreading needle prior to the starting of a subsequent tlpping operation.

A further object is to provide a mechanism 'of the above general characterv having relativelyl ,eW'T'pa-rts, ywhich is unlikely to get out of order and which vmay be inexpensively manufacture'chassembled and installed.'V

A furtherA object is to provide asewing'mai chine of the lastfabove mentioned character which maybe easily operated, will be safe to handlevand which will not requirethe coi` loperation of a skilled operator,

Other objects will-,be inl part obvious from the annexed .drawings and-in part indicated from the following analysis of this invention.

The inventionaccordingly consists in the lfeatures ofconstruction, the combination of parts, and in Ythe ,unique relation nof the various members and the relative proportioning and dispositioningthereof,l all as more clearly outlinedherein; y 'Y i 'ff' y To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying featuresthereof, in order'that theyvmay embody the same, by numerous modifications in structure and Vre-v lation contemplated by this invention, draw-V ings depicting a preferred form of the invention have been annexed as part of this dis i closure, and in such drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout all the'views, of which,- f Figureyl is a front elevationof the'device with the needle transfer .devices in operative transferring relationship; v v Figure 2 is a'plan view of the device; as shown in Figure 1'; I v.Figure Sis arear elevation showing one of the needleclamps in substantially retracted position;-l Y. f Figure 4L is a part rear elevation showing theother ofthe needlerk clamps in retracted position aftery Aprojecting' the lneedle' and thread. carried Vthereby thru the ribeye land fabric;. j d ,v y

Figure his arear vview of parts of the device,` showing both needle mechanisms in theiroriginal starting positions. 'y VFigure 6 is a view partly in section' show# ing the irib clamp and raising and lowering mechanism therefor and the needle clamping mechanism; y t .f t .4 Q Figure 7 lis a face ,viewv of the rib clamp cam; L Figure Sis aview showing the arrangement Referring now tothe drawings, the numeral .10 designates a needle, as more clearly shown in Figure 11, having a centrally disposed eye 13 and preferably pointed at both ends as at 11 and 12, whereby the needle is reversible. 'A single pointed needle having its eye intermediate the ends would have equal utility,` however, and is included in the scope of this invention. The needle 10 is ini- A tiallyheld in a needle clamping mechanism,

hereafter designated as the #1 needle mechnisln, and is adapted to be longitudinally rcciprocated and transferred into a second needle clamping mechanism, hereafter designated as #2 needle mechanism, from whence it is transferred again to the #1 needle mechanism to form a complete stitch, the number of such transfers depending upon the number of `stitches desired. p ,p The #1 needle clamping mechanism comprises an L-shaped block 15, see Figure 6, having one of its face portions cut away for the reception of a plate 16 apertured to receive the needle 10. A stop pin 17 mounted in the block 15 is provided to limit the degree of entrance of the needle through the apertured plate 16.4 Pivoted at 18 inthe block 16 is aclamp .arm y2() which is urged upwardly into needlepclamping position yby means of Springs 21 embracinga stud 22 upon the rear lower surface thereof and likewise lsurrounding a stud 23`fixed to arm 24 upon which the block 15 is rigidly positioned.` The clamping arm20 is also provided at its rear portion with a camming surface 25, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Thus the needle 10 is resiliently held in proper position with relation to the block 15 by the arm 20urged downwardly thereagainst. Y

Theblock 15 extends rearwardly and upwardly to form a bearing block, as shown at 26, andhas joined to itsrear face a second bearing block 27. The block 26 and associated bearing block. 27 are suitably apertured forjth'e reception ,of rods 28, upon which the blocks"26 and 27 are adapted to slide and which are mounted in arms 30 extending froma standard 31 ofthe device suitable supported from a base 32. I do not wish to be limited to this formof bearing surface, however,as'inany forms of bearings to provide a sliding surface for the

blocks

27 and 28 might be provided, and such are intended within the scope of this invention.

The #2 needle clampingmechanism is substantially similar to the :#:1 needle clamping mechanism, as described, and inasmuch as only those parts which. are necessary to a complete understanding of the device are i a series of gear teeth arranged about the outer periphery thereof. A pinion 43 mounted on stud 44 projecting from the upright 31 is positioned adjacent the gear plate 42 and adapted to mesh therewith, suitable means to rotate the pinion 43 either by a hand crank or belt drive or the like, being provided.

n Positionedv on the inner face of the gear plate 42 and rigid therewith is a cam plate 45, see Figure 8, having cut therein a cam track 46.V A roller 47 on the arm 37 is adapted to follow the cam track and to be guided thereby to determine movement of arm 37 about its pivot point 40.V On the opposite face of the gear plate 42, there is provided a second cam plate 48, see Figures 3, 4, and 5, having therein a camtrack 50 in which a roller 51 rotatably mount-ed on the arm 38 is adapted to be positioned and to be guided thereby.

The cam paths or grooves 46 and 50'in

cam plates

45 and 48 respectively are of substantially similar configuration, although the cam track 46 is positioned relatively in advance of the cam track 50. It will be seen from the vabove that upon rotation of the pinion 43, the gear plate 42 is likewise rotated carrying'withit both-

cam plates

45 and 48. The roller 47 on the arm 37 must necessarily follow the path as defined by the cam groove 46 causing the arm 37 to pivot about its pivot point 40 in an arc definedk by the portionshaving greater radiias 461, 46h, 46C, 46d, and 46e. of the cam track 46. This pivotal travel of the arm 37 by its engagement with pin 33 ido Xed to block '27

causesblocks

26 and 27 car- Y relationship ofthe cam tracks 46 and 50, as

hereinbefore described,`is such that the #2 needle mechanism is'operated after the #l needle mechanism has been reciprocate'd.

. The-operation upon rotation of the cams and 48 and the resulting actuation of the needle mechanisms is as follows.l In the preferred initial-position, it 1s desired that the #l mechanism be at the extreme end of its reverse stroke and about to start uponits forward stroke. bythe roller 47 ofthe bar 37 being positioned at the high point 46a yof the cam track 46, see

Figure 5. At this instant, the position of the #2 needle mechanism is determined by the position of roller 5l of bar 38 in that portion of cam track 5() designated by 50e, or almost at its furthest advanced position. Rotation of the gear 42 causes roller 47 to ride down the pathY 46a tothe portion 46`f, and results in reciprocation of the blocks 26, 2?,.and needle l() of the #l needle mechanism thru its forward stroke, the portion 46 of cam track'46 being an arc of uniform radius and defining the innermost position of the #l needle 1nechanism. The #2 needle mechanism is brought intoneedle reception position with relation to the #l needle mechanism by the roller 5l riding into the portion 5()t of the cam track 50, which is an arc of uniform radius and defines the innermost position of the #2 needle mechanism. Thus, as the #1 needle mechanism reaches the end of its forward stroke, it is closely adjacent the #2 needle mechanism which then begins its reverse stroke or travel asndefined by the roller 5l riding up the por-V tion a ofthe 'cam track 50.- At that portion of` the travel of both needle mechanisms in which they are closely adjacent, as above de scribed, they are spaced apart an amount permitting both mechanisms for an instant to be in operative gripping engagement with" the needle 10, and mechanism is provided, as'described in theV following, whereby the #l needle mechanism releases the needle 10 at the moment that the #2 needle mechanism grips it, or in other words, the needle is transferred t0 the #2 needle mechanism. Positioned on y lthe standard 31and arranged vbetween the #l and #2 needle mechanisms on their most forward positions, are work .holding clamps, also hereinafter described, and it will be seen from the following that during the transfer of the. needle 10 from the #l vto the #2 needle mechanism, the needle passes .thru the article to be stitched, which is held in the work clamps.V `The #2 needle mechanism, which now' carriesneedle 10, then travels thru jits reverse and forward stroke as delined by cam portion 50i1 of cam plate 48,` the #l needle mechanism during such travel being maintained at the end of .the 'forward stroke in needle reception position as defined bycam track 46E. At the end of the travel of the #2needle-mecha- Such a position is determined,

nism, both needle mechanisms arein transfer position, and the needle 10 is transferred to the #l needle mechanism which then travels thru the reverse and forward stroke as defined by cam portion 46h.

lith relation to the drawings, it is seen that cam tracks 46 and 50 are each provided with four such cam tracks as 46a, 46f, and 50?, 50f, respectively, whereby the needle l() may be transferred four-.times during one complete revolution of the lgear 42 from the #l needle mechanism to the #2 needle mechanism, then back to the #l needle ymechanism the same number'of times upon completion of the reverse and forwardtravel vof the r#2 needle mechanism, whereupon the #l needle mechanism, which now carries the needle l0, is 'returned' to its substantially initial position.' lt isV to be understood, however, that any number of such -transfers depending upon thennmber of stitches desired to be taken might be provided for, and l therefore do not wish to be limited to only vfour such transfer operations.

It will be noted that the track 46 ofcam plate 45 is provided with the portion 4'6e'continued thru a relatively larger arc than are the tracks 46b and 46C, such portion 46d being provided tohold the #l needle mechanism stationary during the'thread cutting operation, to be hereinafter described. The portion 46l is also continued along andai-c of uniform radius,vwhereby` the #l needle mechanism is held in its Voutermost position during the needle threading operation, also to be described inthe following. Portion 5()e of the cam track 50 is of greater radius Athan that of cam track portion 501, "whereby the needle mechanism is vmaintaineda slight distance from its innermost forward position during the threading operation."y

. The cam plate 45 has on its outer periphery a plurality of camsurfaces 55, and positioned about the periphery of the cam plate 48,v are likewise provided apluralityofcam surfaces 56 vwhich slightly `lag the surfaces .5.5. VA V- Y shaped member 57,s ee Figures 3 and`5, having'arms 58 and 60, isdpivoted as at 6l to the upright 31 andrcarries lat its lower portion thereof a rearwardly extending block 62. The block 62 has mounted on its inner lower extension or at the right thereof, as viewed in Figures 3 andv 5, 'a roller 63, and at its outer and left end a roller 64, the roller 63 being adapted to engage the cam surfaces 55 and the rollerY 64 adapted to engage the cam surfaces 56 upon rotation of gear plate 42. 'i

The

arms

58 and 60 carryat theinupper extremities and at Vright an

glestthereto studs

65 and 66. It will thus be seen that upon rotation of the pinion 43 and plate 42 and resulting reciprocation of both the #l and #2 needle carrying mechanisms, at certain pointsy of the travel thereof, the V-shaped member 5'? is pivoted aboutl itscenter by the surfaces 55 to tilt the V-shaped member 57 in a countcrclockwise direction (Figures 3 and 5), causing the stud 66 to engage cam 25 on the end of the pivoted clamping arm 20 of the #2 mechanism and depress the same for the reception ofy needle 10. The :#:2 needle carrying mechanism at this instant has completed its relatively forward stroke, and, due to the relationship of the c-am tracks 46 and 50 is about to be returned upon its out orv reverse stroke. lVhen the #l needle mechanism has completed theend of the forward stroke, the roller 63 rides olf cam surface 55, simultaneously with the engagement of the roller 64 with one of the ca-m surfaces 56 to throw the member 57 in clockwise direction to cause stud 65 to engage cam 25 of the #l needle mechanism. This movement permits of release of the needle in the #l mechanism and likewise releases the clamping arm 2() of the #2 needle mechanism 1 which operates to firmly grasp the needle an'd carry it on its out stroke. Dur- -ing the reverse and forward stroke of the :#:2 needle mechanism, the needle clamp 2O of the #l needlemechanism is held in open position, but as the former completes its forward stroke the reverse operation of the clamping mechanism occurs, and the needle is transferred and gra-sped in the :#:1 needle mechanism. So that, upon continued rotation of pinion 43 and resulting rotation of the gear plate 42, there is an alternate engagement by the stu'ds 65 and 66 with the clamping arms 20 of both the #l and #2 needle mechanisms, thereby to alternately release and engage the needles.

vPositioned on the front face of the upright 31 is arib clamping mechanism. This mechanism comprises, (see Figures 1, 2 and 9) an upright 7'0, adaptedto be reciprocated within confined limits wit-hin guides 71 and 72. The bar 7 O carries at its upperportion a base plate 73 on which is rigidly mounted a clamp supporting member 74. Rib clamps 75n and 75" are pivotally mounted within the member 74 by means of pin76 and have their ends interlocking (see Figure 6) about an adjusting screw 76a which projects from the rear through the rib carrying member 74 and between the ends of the clamps 7 5a, 75", whereby they may be opened and closed` for the reception and release of the umbrella rib. At the rear of the member 74 is an upwardly projecting extension 7 4"v which acts as a stop to limit the degree of entrance of the rib into the clamps 75a and 75".

Carried by the gear plate 42 and rearwardly of the cam plate 45 is a rib clamp cam 77, (see Fig. 7,) adapted to rotate upon rotation of gear 42. The upright 7 O has rigidly joined to its rear facev an arm 78 (see Figure 9)` adapted to project through a slot'in the up-K the rotation of the rib clamp cam 77 result-` ing upon the rotation of gear 42.

The periphery of the cam 77 has on its outer face'the following cam surfaces; the

lcharacter 77a denotes portions thereof, which by the engagement ofthe roller 79 therewith causes the upright to maintain the clamps 7 52L and 7 5"` in such position that the needle' 10 may pass through the article to be stitched. Rotation of the cam 77 causes roller 79 to engage the cam surface 77" of the ca'm 77* which raises the upright 70 and clamps 75a and so that the needle passes relatively under the article held in the rib clamp; while the portions 77C, when engaged by the roller 79, cause the clamping device to drop and permit the needle to pass relatively `over the article held in the clamps 75a and 75" withoutv engagement therewith. y j

inasmuch as the sewing mechanism proper has now been described, the operation of this mechanism so far described willl be briefly explained in order that a clearer perception may be had of the threading and thread cut-` ting mechanisms to be described in the following.

As hereinbefore described, the cover or fabric portion of the umbrella is sewed to the umbrella rib through an eye provided at the end thereof. Such an operationv comprehends the successive steps of passing a thread through the fabric and eye, thence yabout the upper side of the cover, thru the fabric and eye and about the upper sideof the cover again, through the eye and about the underside of the cover, and again through the eye and about the under side of the cover. The mechanism as above described vautomatically performs these necessary operations. in the following manner:

Referring to Figures 12 to 16, an umbrella rib 80 with the fabric lorcover 81 kwrapped around the end of the same is position in the clamps 75a and 75" and held therein by operation of the adjusting screw 7 6, with the thread retainingnieans such as the eye 82 of the rib tip pointing upwardly. At the beginning of the operation of the machine, the jc/:1 needle mechanism carrying therewith Ythe needle 10 with thread running throughits eye 13 is in retractedposition, the needle clamping arm20 firmly holding the needle in working position, and the :trl-2 needle mechanism, being approximately at the end of its forward stroke and in needle reception posi! tion, as hereinbefore explained. Rotation of the gear 42 causes the #l needle,` mechanism to .complete its forward stroke, the

needle 10 being projected through the fabric 8l and eye 82 of the rib 30 held in clamps 75a and 7 5b, during this travel, and.` then gripped by the ,ft2 needle mechanism. During the transfer of the needle 10 the roller 79 of the rib clamp mechanismengages surface 77 a of the cam 77, and the doubled thread is passed through the fabric andeye of the rib r80.y The #2 needle mechanism then on its Vthread to wrap itself about the outer side of the rib and associated fabric, the #l needle mechanism then completing its reverse stroke. This cycle of loperation is neXt repeated a second time causing a second stitch to be taken through the eye of the rib and then below or about the relatively outer side 81 ofthe fabric. i Thethird forward stroke of the #l needle mechanism projects the needle 10 and thread carried thereby through lthe eye for the third time, when it is transferred to the #2 mechanism as above described. Upon the third return of the needle to the #1 needle mechanism, however, the roller 79 en- OfaOes the cam aortion 7.7CV which causes the rib clamping mechanism to drop, and the needle travels labove the clamps av and 75" and the threadris wrapped over the relatively under side of eye 32 and rib 80. This last above operation isrepeated on` the fourth and last forward and return stroke of the #1 needle mechanism. lThe thread is then cut by cutting mechanism(hereinafter described, and the ribr with fabric sewed thereto is then removed from the clamps 7.5d and 7 5b to be followed by subsequent severing operations.

It is seen from the above that the needle 10 is transferred through the eye of the rib four times upon onercompletey ycycle of rotation, by the :#:1 needle mechanism, is received the same number of times by thea-,t2 mechanism and returned to the #1 needle mechanismv twice below and twice above the rib and fabric inthe clamps 75a and 7 51%, Stitches are thus formed in the sameportion of the work in that no appreciable lateral movement is pern'i'itted thev work held in the rib clamping mechanisml I also provide thread carrying and cutting mechanisms whereby when the fabric has been sewed to one rib and the `thread cut therefrom by means of a rcutting device hereinafter described, the needleis automatically rethreaded `for the necessary operation. Referring to Figure 3, itwill be seen thata spool Acarrying arm 100 is provided upon which a spool of thread is adapted to be loosehaving a depending rod 107 joinedthereto.

The rod 107 is slidably mounted within a second bushing 108 mounted in the arm 102 and carries at its lower end a substantially .U-

shaped threading element 110. Positioned in one leg of the element 110 is an aperture 111 adapted for reception of a thread from the spool and the other leg has a cutaway portion, as shown at 112, for the purpose hereinafter described.

,Mounted at the lower end of the-rod k105 is .a pin 113 adapted to engage in a slot 114 in an arm 115'pivoted as at 116 to a plate 117.

The plate 117 forms a cover for a Uy-shapevd bearing block 118 rigidly fastened to the standard 31. Within this bearing is mountfed for vertical reciprocation a threader arm tioned on varm 124`and in cooperative relationship with the pivot'ed member 115 are

pins

126 and 127 which'deiine the 'limits fof thearc through whichl the arm 115 is adapted to swing about its pivotA pin z116.

The bushing 108 has cut therein` a helical groove 128, into which a pin 130 on rod 107,

`which is adapted to be Vreciprocated within the bushing.108,projects( Thus, as the threader arm 120 is projectedupwa'rdly, pin

127 will engagearmv 115 to lower the rod 10,5,

rod 107, and the threader member 110caryriedithereby is caused to rotatelthrough an v arc of approximately 4The threaderl arm yactuation mechanism isv as follows: The arm carries a portion 131 which projects through a slot 132 inthe upright standard 31, and which carries a pin 1 20 ,132L engaging in a slot 133 of a rod 134 pivoted to the rear face of the standard 37 as at 135. The pivotedrod 134'carries a roller 136 adapted to engage acam surface 137 of a cam 138 rigidly associated with the cam plate 45 and. adapted to rotate upon rotation of gear vwheel 42. Thus, upon rotation of the Acam 138 roller 136 engages the cam surface 137 causing the varm 134 to swing about its pivot point vwhich carries upwardly through the amount of'thread through the fabric on 'aol the medium of slot 133 the threader arm 120.

'This' upward movement thereof raises the threading position.

With relation to Figure 8, the operation of the threader mechanism is timed with relation' to the needleV transfer mechanisms so 'that the threading operation takes place while the #1 needle mechanism is in retract- 'ed position, that is, while the roller 47 thereof is following the portion'46El incam plate 45. Thus, as seen in Figure 10, when the #l needle mechanism is in retracted position the threader mechanism is adapted to raise the threader arm 120v to project the threader needle 121 through the' eye 13 of the needle v1`0. In this position, the threader member 110 is in lowered position and is swung around to face the operator, as shown.

1t is to be noted at this point that the needle 10 carries through the fabric on the first actuation of the #1 needle mechanism a doubled thread, one portion of which is single and a continuation of the thread from the spool, the #2 threader mechanism pulling its irst reverse stroke necessary during the entire stitching operation. This single thread passesthrough aperture 111 and is guided by the cutaway portion 112 of the U-shaped threader member 110, during such 'feeding operation'.` Upon upward actuation of the threader arm 120`at the end of the last stitching stroke, the vmember 110,v as `hereinbefore explained, drops and brings 'the "thread across the eye l3nt needle 10 in adirection transverse to the needle. The threader needle 121 projecting at that time through the eye 13, hooks over the thread,

and draws'the same through the eye 13 subsequent to which the thread is cut, the needle then beingfthreaded'forthe next stitching icycle. Y

With relation to Figure 9, there is also provided a thread cutting mechanism which comprises an arm 140 4pivoted at 141 to support 71 ofthe rib clamping support, which arm carries'at its upper portion a knife blade ,142, A projecting lug 143 is provided at the base of the arm 140 and engages a pin 144 mounted in the support 71 to limit the outward rotation of the arm 140. kThe arm 140 with its knife 142 is resiliently urged to the utmost of its outward or inoperative position as by s 'ring 1441.

Rigi ly mounted on the'upright 31 are Vtwo brace me1nbers145 in which a'rod 146 is rotatably supported. Fixed to this rod 146 is a bell crank lever 147, having an upwardly projecting arm 150 adapted to engage '152 ofthe bell crank lever projects thru a slot 153 in the support 31 and has at its end portion a cam iinger 154. This cam finger is adapted to enga-ge the knife cam 155 rigidly associated between the threader cam 138 and the cam plate and adapted to rotate upon rotation of gear 42. About theperiphery of the cam 155 are two projecting cam surfaces 155 and 1551 which, by their engagement with the cam finger 154 Servev to rock the bell crank lever 147 about its pivot point 146 which causes the knife arm 140 tobe twice swung into operative cutting relation during one complete rotation of thel gear 42.

The operation of the first cutting stroke of the arm 1.4.0 and knife 142, as determined by the relation of cam surface 155"l with the cam plate 45 and cam tracks cut therein, occurs as the #1 needle mechanism is temporarily retained in intermediate position between its innermost and retracted positions, upon its last reverse stroke, in whichv position the roller 47 rides in cam portion 46e. This cutting` stroke severs the doubled thread carried by the needle 10 over the clamps 75a and 75", a characteristic of the last transfer operation from the ,ft2 needle mechanism to the .#1 needle mechanism, as hereii'ibefore described. The needle 10, freed of the thread, is then retracted to its furthermost position for the threading operation. i

The second cutting operation, as vdetermined by cam 155b is operative to cut the single thread running from the spool through Vthe eye 82 and fabric 81, after the thread carried by needle 10 has been cut, and is operathe needle 10 is in fuliy retracted position as determined by the roller 47 riding in the cam track 46a. Thon thefthreader needle 121 has been projected through the eye 13 of needle 10 and is drawing the same, the

cam

1,55* causes the arm 140 and knife 142 to swing through its cutting arc. The roller 136has at this point reached the high point of the cam surface 137 of the threader actuating `cam 138, and is free to ride down `the inclined surface thereof to permit the threader arm 12() to drop. The threader arm 121, however, is hooked over the thread andthe weight o-f the arm 120 and associated parts is'substantially sustained from the thread, thus exerting tension thereon, and providing a degree of tautness, which permits the knife 142 upon completion of the travel of arm 140 to easily sever the same. After the thread is severed the threader arm drops back into its retracted position, the threader arm 121 having then completed the threading of the eye of the needle 10, and the knife 142,and arm 141 are urged out of operative position by the spring 144. Upon removal of the rib 8O and fabric stitched thereto from the clamps 7 5'L1 and 7 5b ra cam surface 148 on cutter arm 140 at its Y llO the-device is then ready for the next succeeding stitching operation.

' It is to' be particularly noted thatf cam trac is 46 and 50v of cam plates 45 and 48of the #1 and #2 needle mechanisms are so designed asl tor automatically compensate kthe 'throw of the needle to the amount of thread used by the successive operations of the complete stitching cycle; With .relation to `Figs. 5 and 8, it is seen that the cam surface 46u has the greatest radius, and the cam portions 46", 46C, 46d and 46edecreaseias to their respective radii causing adecrease of the travel of #l needle mechanism, an amount which vcompensates for the travel of the thread vfrom the #l and the :#2 needle mechanism,

a length of doubled thread sufficient to conilpensate for the-wrapping of the thread under and over the rib during the following stitching and transfer operations, as determined by cani portions ,50b,`50c and 50d of decreasing radii, and also to leave a certain amount of thread free vaboutthe rib after the cutting operation has taken place! rihe guides 71 and T2, VVhereinbefore described, are mounted on an adjuster plate 160, seeITigure 1, which is pivoted to the upright 31 by a pin 161.. The .plate 160 is suitably apertured to permit the part 7 8 of the rib'clamp mechanism, and the cam linger 154 of the cutting mechanism, to pass therethru. Positioned at the lowermost extremity ofthe plate 166 is anoutwardly extending portion 162 Vwhich is engaged by heads 163 of adjusting screws 164. The said adjusting screws are mounted in arms 165 by adjusting bolts-166 and are resiliently urged into engagen'ient with block 162 by means of springs 167 co-acting between parts162 and 165. A movable mounting of the Work clamping mechanism as well as the thread cutting mechanism is thus provided, for,be ingsupported on the plate 160, these mechaiiisnis are permitted the lslight pivotal move- `nient allowed to the plate, but will return to `their originalpositions due to the resilient laction of the springs 167. This feature is desirable for adjusting` purposes, and also for eqiializiiigwtlie strain on the thread orv the kneedle as it held or passed thru the Work clamped to the-work support.

PTliere are also provided rollers 168 mounted `o-ii upright 31 which are engaged by the arms 24 of the lneedle-mechanism both to support the saine during their various reciprocati'oiis and-to lessen the friction between the inoving parts and the stationary mountings therefor. f

. VThe above described'sew'ing machine thus automatically performs the various vsteps in the sewing of an umbrella cover to the eye at the end ofthe rib in an uninterrupted sequence of operations, all of which `were previously performed by hand, and in a practical andefficient manner. It is obvious that such a device including automatic sewing, thread severing, and needle threading mechanisms lessens to the lowest possible minimum the time factor in the manufacture of umbrellas as well as decreasing the cost of labor therefor, whereby the production cost of an umbrella is materially decreased. i

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are` achieved andother advantageous results attained.- As many changes could bemade in carrying out the above construction, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description lor shown in the accompanying drawings 'shall be interpreted as illustra.- tive and not in a limiting sense.

Iclaim: Q l V 1. In a machine for sewing a cover. to the rib tip of an umbrella, the tip being provided with thread retaining means, in combination, means for clamping the cover to the tip, a needle, means to position the tip with the thread retaining means opera-tively disposed in the path of the needle, and mechanically operated means to pass successively a. thread carried by the needle into the retaining means and thru the associated cover, and about the tip and cover. y 1

2. In a machine for sewinga cover to the rib tip of an umbrella, the tip being provided with thread retaining means, in combination, means for clamping the cover to the tip, a needle, means to position the tip with the thread retaining means operatively disposed in the path `of the needle, and mechanically operated means to pass successively athread ca-rredrby the needle into the retaining means and thru the associated cover, and about both sides of the tip.

3. In a device of the character described,

in combination, aneedle, a work holding clamp adapted to hold an umbrella rib or tip having an aperture therein and fabric to be stitched thereto, means to reciprocate said holding clamp, needle clamps disposedV on both sides of said holding clamp, and means to transfer saidneedle from one to the other of said needle clamps thru the fabric and umbrella rib or tip, said holding clamp being provided with means to position the rib or tip whereby the needle passes thru the aperture therein. -K l 4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a needle, needle Vclamps adapted .to frictionally hold said needle, means to transfer saidneedle from one to the other of said clamps, land a reciprocable worl; holding clamp being providedwith means .to grip an umbrella rib or tip having an eye therein and fabric to be stitched thereto and to position the rib or tip therein whereby the needle passes thru the eye thereof during the said needle transfer. Y

5. In astitching machine of the character described, in combination, a work holding clamp adapted to grip the work therein, a needle, reciprocating needle clamps disposed on both sides of said work clamp, means to transfer said needle from one to t-he other of said needle clamps, means to return said needle to said rst mentioned needle clamp, and means to reciprocate the work clamp and work held therein into and out of, and in a single plane normal to the path of the needle, whereby the needle passes thru and about 'the work.

6. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination, a needle, reciprocating needle clamping mechanisms, a work clamp disposed between said needle clamping mechanisms, means to transfer the needle from one of said mechanisms to the other of said mechanisms, and to return the needle to said iirst mentioned mechanism upon reciprocation of said needle clamping mechanisms, and means to reciprocate said work clamp in a single plane norm al to the path of the needle and prior to the return of said needle to said iirst mentioned mechanism whereby the thread is passed thru and wrapped about the work held in the work clamp.

7. In a machine for sewing an umbrella fabric to the rib tip of an umbrella frame, the rib having an eye or aperture therein, in combination, a needle, needle clamp ing mechanisms, a. supporting clamp for the fabric and tip positioned between said needle clamping mechanisms, means to alternately reciprocate said needle clamping mechanisms, means Vto transfer said needle from one of said clamping mechanisms to the other of said mechanisms during such reciprocation, means to returnv said needle to said first mentioned mechanism upon further reciprocation, and means to reciprocate said work support in a plane normal to the path of the needle, said transfer means being operative upon actuation of both .saidt reciprocating means to pass successively the needle thru the eye or aperture in the tip and to return the needle to the first named clamping'mechanism about the tip and the fabric associated therewith.

Y 8. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination, a needle, needle clamping mechanisms, a work .supporting clamp disposed between said needle clamping` mechanisms, means to transfer the Vneedle from one of said mechanisms to the other of said mechanisms, and to return the needle to said first mentioned mechanism, and means to reciprocate said work supporting clamp in a single plane normal to the path of the needle priorto the return of said needle to said rst mentioned mechanism, whereby the thread is passed thru and wrapped relatively over and under the work held in the work clamp.

9. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination, a needle, needle clamping mechanisms, a work supporting clamp positioned between said needle clamping mechanisms, means to alternately reciprecate said needle clamping mechanisms, means to transfer said needle from one of said clamping mechanisms to the other of said clamping mechanisms during such reciprocation, means to return said needle to said lirst mentioned mechanism upon further reciprocation, and means to actuate the work clamp in a plane normal-to the path of travel of the needle and out of and back to an initial position in which the work is in the path of travel of the needle during its transfer movement, whereby successive stitches are taken thru and about the same portion of the work.

10. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination with a set of needle clamps for a needle, and mechanism to cause a plurality of transfers o-f the needle thru the the article to be stitched from one needle clamp to the other needle clamp, of means including a rotatable member having progres,-

sively decreasing cam surfaces thereon to decrease the travel of the needle clamps whereby to compensate the travel of said needle clamps with respect to the amount of thread used during the successive stitches.

11. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination with a set of needle clamps for a needle, and mechanism to cause a plurality of transfers of the needle thru and relatively about the work to be stitched from one needle clamp to the other needle clamp, a thread cutting mechanism operative after the last transfer of the needle and thread carried thereby relatively about the work to sever the doubled thread carried by said needle during such transfer, and to subsequently sever the thread extending from the source of thread supply thru the work resulting from the first transfer 0f the needle thru the article to be stitched.

l2'. In a stitching machineof the character described, in combination with a set of needle clamps for a needle, and mechanism to cause a plurality of transfers of the needle thru and relatively about the work to be stitched from one needle clamp to the other needle clamp, of means to sever the thread extending from the source of thread supply thru the work resulting from the first transfer of the needle, and means to rethread the needle, said last mentioned means being operative to tension the thread during said cutting operation.

13. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination with a set of needle clamps for a needle, and mechanism to cause a plurality of transfers of the needle from one needle clamp to the other and vice versa, of work clamping mechanism disposed between the needle clamps adapted to hold the work to be stitched, and means to reciprocate the work supporting mechanism in a single plane normal to the path of the needle to relatively raise the work prior toV atleast one of the needle transfer operations to permit the needleto pass relatively under the work held in said work clamping mechanism and means to reciprocate the work clamping mechanism at least once to permit the needle to be tra-nsferred relatively above the work held in said work clamping mechanism.

14. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination, a needle, a set of needle clamps, a work supporting mechanism positioned between said clamps, means to alternately reciprocate said clamps, means to cause a plurality of transfers of saidneedle from one needle clamp 4to theother needle clamp and vice versa duringsuch reciproca tion of said clamps, means to raise and lower said work supporting mechanism prior to at least two of the transfer operations to permit the needle to be transferred from one needle clamp to the other needle clamp both under and over t-he work carried in the work supporting mechanism, means to compensate the throw of said clamps with respect to the amount ofthread used, means operative to sever the thread carried by said needle during its last transfer actuation, and to sever the thread extending; from the source of thread supply and carried by the needle on its first 4 transfer actuation, and means to'rethread the needle.

15. Mechanism for sewing the fabric cover to an apertured umbrella rib or tip, compris sively pass a needle and thread carried thereby thru the fabric and aperture of the rib or tip, means to move said fabric and rib or tip out of the path of said needle whereby the thread is passed about the fabric and rib or tip, and means to position the rib or tip in said first named means whereby the needle passes thru the aperture in the rib or tip.

V16. In a machine for sewing a cover to the rib tip of an umbrella, the tip being provided with an eye, in combination, a needle, means for clan'ipinthe umbrella cover to the tip, means to position the tip with the eye operatively related to the needle, and mechanically operated means to successively pass a thread carried by the needle thru the eye of the tip and associated cover, and about the tip and cover.

17. In a machine for sewing a cover to the rib tip of an umbrella, the tip being provided with an eye, in combination, a needle, means for clamping the umbrella cover to the tip, means to position the tip with the eye operatively related to the needle, and mechanically operated means to successively pass a thread carried by the needle thru the eye of the tip and associated cover, and about either side of the tip.

18. In a machine for sewing a cover to the rib tip of an umbrella, the tip being provided with an eye, in combination, a needle, means for clamping the umbrella cover to the tip, means to position the tip with the eye operatively related to the needle, and mechanically operated means to successively pass a thread carried by the needle thru the eye of the tip and associated cover, and about both sides of the tip.

Signed at Lancaster, Pennsylvania this 13th day of April 1925.

MICHAEL M. SCHARF.