US1918284A - Upholstery-making machine and process - Google Patents

Description

y 8, 1933. A. s. MITCHELL 1,918,284

UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Oct. 30. 1930 ll Sheets-Sheet l s I v E Q a July 18, 1933.

A. s. MITCHELL. UPHOL'STERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS File d Oct. 30. 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 R29 faw- July 18, 1933. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS ll Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 30. 1930 I "ll Ill ll Illll Ill! July 18, 1933. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 50, 1930 7/2 S g i Q K v ":E 2,0 hy

July 18, 1933. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Obt. so. 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet s July 18, 1933. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS F iled Oct. 30, 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet e Q fi Q me my bk km n.

July 18, 1933. A. s. MITCHELL I UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Oct. 50, 1950 ll Sheets-Sheet 7 July 18, 1933. A. s. MITCHELL 1,918,284

UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS v Filed Oct. 30, 1950 11 Sheets$heet 8 J 9 M mww.

y 8, 1933. A. 's. MITCHELL 1,918,284

UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Oct. 30, 1930 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 I flvem ibzzy 8, 1933. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Oct. 50,, 1930 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 y 1933. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLSTERY MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS l1 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Oct. 50. 1950 Patented "July 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE ALLISTER S. MITCHELL, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL AUTO- MOTIVE FIBRES, INC., 0]? DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE UPHOLSTERY-MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Application filed October 30, 1930. Serial No. 492,348.

This invention relates particularly to a machine and method for manufacturing stuffed, pleated upholstery. Such a machine is adapted, for example, to the manufacture of automobile seat-cushions, back-cushions, etc. a

The primary object is to provide an improved machine and improved method which will greatly facilitate the manufacture of stuffed, pleated upholstery.

More especially, the present invention is intended to provide a machine particularly suited to the use of pre-cut covers in forming cushions, for example, for automobiles.

The objects of the invention are, in alarge measure, accomplished by making use of the principle of fluid pressure (through the medium of a suction-carrier) for shaping the main (finish) fabric into pleat-fullnesses and intervening seam-ridges; and, preferably, important novel adjuncts are used in connection with the pneumatic carrier for shaping and feeding the materials through the machine andproperly forming the upholstery.

In the use of the improved machine, as preferably constructed, pre-cut covers, a lining-fabric, and strips of batting are fed through the machine, the pre-cut covers being lowermost as the work is fed through the machine; the lining-fabric has formed therein upstanding seam-ridges; the pre-cut covers-are fed, seriatim, over a suitable bed and provided with upstanding seam-ridges and intervening depressed pleats, or pipes, the seam-ridges iof the covers becoming nested within the seam-ridges of the lining-fabric; the strips of cottom-batting, or the like, are

*- drawn through with the fabrics and fill the pleats; and the upstanding, nested seamridges of the lining-fabric and of the pre-cut covers (suitably spaced) are sewed by means of sewing mechanisms mounted on a crossbeam above the path of the materials, each sewing-mechanism preferably comprising a head carrying a sewing-needle and looperneedle.

The work is fed continuously through the machine. The lining is a continuous fabric; the cotton batts are continuous strips; andthe cover-fabric preferably is pre-cut to provide covers, which, in the operation of the machine are sewed to the lining. Preferably, the batts fed to the pleats are periodically broken to correspond with spaces between cushions, so that the upholstery produced is a continuous piece composed of a series of cushions connected by short lengths of linin fabric. The lining-fabric may be cut at t e spaces between cushions to effect separationof the cushions. Y r

In the present invention, use is made of a suction-conveyor and associated spaced ridges in accordance with Mitchell U. S. ap-

plication, Serial No. 427,205, filed February 10, 1930; and, for the purpose of adapting the machine to handle with great facility precut covers, the present invention employs, in combination with the device mentioned, cover-placing mechanism adapted to position the covers, one at a time, over the conveyor and the ridges at the upper side of the conveyor, and co-acting; depressing devices, or pleat-formers, which operate to depress linear portions of the cover into the spaces be tween the ridges and thus bring the cover fabric within the effective action of the suction conveyor. The seam-ridges of the cover are laterally therefrom. The effect is to progressively pleat the cloth over the ridge-bars associated with the conveyor from the intermediate portion of the cloth laterally progressively in both directions.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig; lis a broken side elevational view of an upholstery-makingmachine embodying the invention; Fig. 2, a broken plan view; Fig. 3, a broken front elevational view; Fig. 4, a broken longitudinal vertical section taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, asection taken as indicated at line of Fig. 4, showing details of the mechanism which co operates with the suction-conveyor and associated ridges in forming pleats and intera broken sectional view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5, the section being taken in the plane of the paper and illu'strating the manner in which the crank-shaft shown in Fig. 5 is periodically operated through the medium of a rack-actuated pinion, the crank-shaft having been turned 180 from the position shown in Fig. 5, however; Fig. 8, a fragmentary sectional View taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9, a broken plan view showing the cover-placing mechanism; Fig. 10, a broken vertical transverse sectional view taken as indicated at line 10 of Fig. 1, this view showing the relation of the auxiliary conveyor, the cover-placing mechanism and the pleat-forming 'mechanism; Fig. 11, a broken sectional View showing the formers in depressed position, a pleat-.

ed cover being shown within thegrip of the conveyor; Fig. 12, a broken side elevational View illustrating the manner in which the grippers of the cover-placing mechanism operate to take a cover from a feed table employed; Fig. 13, a fragmentary view of the same character on a larger scale; Fig. 14, a longitudinal sectional view of the feed-table employed; Fig. 15, a broken plan View showing in plan the cam-tracks which cooperate with the grippers; Fig. 16, an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the feed-table; Fig. 17, a broken longitudinal sectional View, taken as indicated at line 17 of Fig. 3, illustrating the means for actuating the cover-placing mechanism; Fig. 18, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 18 of Fig. 17; Fig. 19, a fragmentary view illustrating a camcontrol device forming a part of the reversing mechanism illustrated in Fig. 17; Fig. 20, a broken longitudinal section taken as indicated at line 20 of Fig. 2, this view illustrating the pleat-formers at substantially the lower end of their stroke and during the forward bodily movement of the formers; Fig. 21, a broken detail view-illustrating the manner in which the rear conveyor shown in Fig. 4 is geared to the front conveyor; Fig. 22, a broken side elevational view illustrating the manner in which a sprocket-shaft is actuated, this sprocket-shaft serving to reciprocate the pleat-formers forwardly and rearwardly; Fig. 23, a broken transverse verticalsection taken as indicated at line 23 of Fig. 22; Fig. 24, an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated at line 24 of Fig. 22; Fig. 25, a broken vertical section showing the relation of the suction-conveyor, a vertically adj usta- -ble cross-head employed, and the sewingmechanisms carried by said cross-head; Fig. 26, a broken transverse sectional view, showing a portion of one of the sewing-mechanisms, viewed from the front: Fig. 27, a brospaced circumferential grooves ken plan view illustrating the upholstery formed by the machine as comprising a series of cushions connected by the continuous lining-fabric; Fig. 27, a broken section on a reduced scale, taken as indicated at line 27 of Fig. 25; and Fig. 27 a reduced-scale section taken as indicated at line 27 of Fig. 25.

Describing the preferred embodiment illustrated:-

A designates a main frame which is equipped near its front end with a vertically adjustable cross-head A, the frame being provided with a bed-extension A over which the covers are fed and being equipped with standards A which serve as a support for a conveyor frame A over which the cotton batts are fed; B (Fig. 4), a suction-conveyor device mounted in the bed of the machine; B, an auxiliary conveyor disposed back of the conveyor B; B longitudinally extending ridge-bars extending over the conveyors; C, a series of sewing-mechanisms mounted on the cross-head A and laterally adjustable thereon to enable the width of the pleats to be varied, said sewing-mechanisms being actuated b a common shaft C, which, as shown in um of a coupling shaft C from a shaft C journaled in the main frame; D, a threadsupporting device carried by the cross-head A; E, E, a pair of front feed rolls throu h which the upholstery is delivered from the machine, these rolls being actuated through the medium of change-speed gear mechanism E F, a forming-roll disposed back of and carried by the lower portion of the adjustable cross-head A, said forming-roll having through which the ridge-bars B extend; G, a series of lining-creasers adjustably mounted on a transverse bar G carried by the bed; H, H a main pair of batt-feeding rolls journaled in supports A carried by the bed; I, I an auxiliary pair of batt-feeding rolls'journaled in the members A, these auxiliary. rolls being eriodically arrested to cause severance of the batts; J, a shearing device upon which the batts are severed when the rolls I and I are stopped; K, a deflector-roll whose function is to direct the batts between the rolls H and H when the feed of the auxiliary rolls is resumed; L, (Figs. 1 and 2) an electric motor which actuates, through the medium of a chain or belt L, a counter-shaft L; L a chain driven from shaft, L and ig. 3 is driven through the mediallel shaft L", which, as shown in Fig. 2,

serves to actuate the shaft-section C through the medium of which the shaft C is driven to actuate the sewing-mechanisms; L, (Fig. 2) a chain driven from the lower feed roll E and serving to actuate a shaft L which actuates a chain L which operates the auxwhich actuates the suction-conveyor; L,-

iliary batt-feeding rolls and the batt conveyor; L a chain driven by the shaft L which serves to actuate a cam-shaft L equipped with a cam L (Fig. 1) which controls a clutch-lever L which periodically operates ,a clutch L which controls the driving of the chain L from the shaft L L (Figs. 2 and 3) a chain driven from the front feed-roll E and serving to actuate a shaft L, which, in turn, drives a chain L a chain driven from the roll E and serving to drive a shaft L from which motion is communicated through a gear-device L to the forming-roll F; L a chain driven by the shaft L and serving to actuate the main ,batt-feeding rolls H and H; L a chain serving to drive the deflector-shaft K from the auxiliary batt-feeding roll I; M, (Figs. 1, 9 and 12) a feed-table upon which the pre-cut covers are placed, seriatim, the covers being taken from a pile M supported on a table M N, (Figs. 1, 2,9, 10, 12 and 17) cover-placing mechanism which operates to advance the covers, one at a time, from the feed-table M to a position above the conveyors; 0 ( Sheets 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 10) fabricforming mechanism cooperating with the suction-conveyor and associated ridge-bars in forming the covers into pleats and inter vening seam-ridges; P, a lining-fabrlc which passes over a roll P and thence to the forming-roll F; and Q, strips of cotton batting supported by a conveyor Q, mounted on the frame-part A, said conveyorbeing driven by a sprocket-chain Q which is actuated by a shaft Q driven by the sprocket-chain L9 The shaft Q also drives the lower auxiliary feed-roll I through the medium of-an idler Q (Fig. 1).

The main frame of the machine may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, the bed-extension A of the frame is shown equipped with twofconveyors, the front one of which is a suction-conveyor and the otherone of which is without suction.

However, the invention is not limited to such arrangement.

The suction-conveyor B may be adjustable to enable it to be raised or lowered slightly, if desired. for the purpose of enabling the depth of the pleats to be varied. This feature is illustrated in the above-mentioned application. j

The suction-conveyor B is in the form of a belt mounted on front and rear rolls 1 and having its upper reach supported by rolls 2. The conveyor belt is driven by a drum 3 mounted on a shaft 3*. The belt also passes about a drum 4 mounted on a shaft4 as appears from Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 2, the sprocket-chain L engages a sprocket on the shaft 3 and passes also about sprocket wheels on the shaft 4* and on a shaft 1 which'forms an exten sion'of the roll 1.

The suction-conveyor B has its upper length serving as a cover for a shallow pan 5, with the lower wall of which is connected. a suction-pipe 5 which leads (Fig. I) to an exhaust fan 5 driven by a motor 6. A mod- 9. It will be noted that the front conveyor extends in front of the sewing-mechanisms,

and the same is true of the ridge-bars. The ridge-bars register with the circumferential grooves of the forming-roll F and also with grooves or spaces between adjustable shoes 10 with which the cross-head is equipped at its lower edge.

The seam-ridges of the cover-piece pass 1 through the grooves just mentioned and are. nested within seam-ridges which are formed in the lining-fabric P, as the lining-fabric passes beneath the forming-roll F.

It will be understood that the ridge-bars I B are laterally adjustable on the cross-bars 8 and 9 to enable different widths of pleats to be formed.

The manner in which the ridge-bars extend through the grooves of the forming-roll and through the spaces between the shoes 10 carrle'd by the cross-head, will be understood from Fig. 2 5. The ridges of the members B are cut away, as indicated at 11 to enable the sewing-needles to be thrust transversely through the nested seam-ridges, it being understoodthat the ridges support the nested seam-rldges up to the point where the sewlng-mechanisms operate upon the seamridges.

The sewing-mechanism C-may be of any su table COIlStI'llCtlOII and operated in any suitable manner. shown (Figs. 3, 25 and 26) are the same as those shown in Mitchell U. S. application Ser1al No. 347,935, filed March 18, 1929 and need not be described in detail. Referring to Figs. 25 and 26, it may be stated, however, that the sewing-mechanisms are pivotally suspended from brackets 12 which are adustably mounted onthe cross-head A, and

that the actuating shaft C is also journaled- The sewing-mechanisms I The The looper-needle is designated 14. lt is actuated by a lever 14* which swings 1n a plane parallel with the seam, and also rises and falls, so that the point-portion of the .the forming-roll F. The head of each sewing-mechanism is equipped with a depending seam-embracing shoe 17 which is provided with a perforation through which the sewing-needle may pass. In the sewing op.- eration, the sewing-needle passes through the nested seam-ridges; and the sewingneedle and looper-needle cooperate to produce a double thread chain-stitch. This feature forms no part of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 27, the upholstery as it emerges from the machine consists of a series of connected cushions which are joined together simply by the lining-fabric at the spacesdesignated w.

The spool support D carried by the vertically adjustable cross-head A supports the looper-needle spools 18 and the sewingthread spools 19.

-The front feed-rolls E and E areconnected by gears 20 (Fig. 3). The upper feed-' to a position shown in Fig. 1 to enable the cushion materials to be introduced. The rolls preferably are covered with rubber, as

- indicated at 24. While the rolls E and E collars is desirable to enable the pleat-width to be varied. The shoes 10 are also adjust.- ably connected with the lower portion of the cross head A, as appears from Fig. 25. As appears from Fig. 2, the .roll P over which the lining-fabric P passes is pro.-

vided with laterally adjustable collars '26. These collars preferably are spaced to correspond with the grooves of the formingroll F and operate to produce initial seamridges in the lining-fabric, which persist more or less until the forming-roll is reached. The lining-fabric then passes over the creasers G (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and These creasers have flaring or V-shaped bases which are, spa)ced slightly above the ridge-bars B (Fig. 27

When the forming-roll is in the operative position shown in Fig. 25, the creasers extend into the grooves of the forming-roll, so that the lining is properly provided with seam-ridges; and the seam-ridges of the cover M become nested within the seamridges of the lining, as the two fabrics pass beneath the forming-roll. L

As will be understood from Figs. 25 and 27 the shoes or lining-creasers G are provided with upwardly and rearwardly inclined arms, or portions, 26, over which the seam-ridges of the lining-fabric are preformed during the passage of the lining from the roll P. The intermediate formers G extend highest, and the flanking formers are progressively reduced in height, passing from the longitudinal central portion of the machine laterally towards the sides. The result is that the lining-fabric is first gath" ered on the upper ends of the longest arms 26*, and then, progressively, upon the members of the flanking pairs.

From the description given, it will be understood that the upper extremities of the arms 26 are arranged en echelon for the purpose of facilitating the gathering of the lin-. ing. It may be remarked that the preliminary gathering of the lining occurs 'when the lining passes over the collars 26 of the roll P but the final shaping of the seamridges of the lining is accomplished in passing over the arms 26 and finally between the lower apex-portions 26" of the shoes G, which project into the grooves 25 As will be understood from Figs. 27" and 27", the forming-device .F preferablyis equipped with pinions or star-wheels 25 which, in a sense, dig into the lining and cotton and effectively aid in feeding the material beneath the forming roll and past the sewing mechanism. These pinions are shown mounted between the collars 25, but any suitable arrangement may be employed.

I As appears from Fig. 25, the sewing head is adapted to'swing about the axis C, it being observed that the brackets 12 are equipped with .arms 12. and the sewing heads are equipped with arms 17 between which are confined springs .17 mounted on rods 17 which are pivotallyconnected at 12'? and which engage slots at the extremities of the arms 17 1 The construction permits very slight oscillation of the sewing head during the sewing action. p o

The main pair of batt-feeding rolls H and -H and the auxiliary pair of batt-feeding nally as appears from Figs. 2 and 4.

The main batt-feeding rolls H and H run continuously. The auxiliary batt-feeding rolls I and I are periodically arrested to rolls I and Iare preferably fluted longitudicause the batts to be severed between cushions.

The drive chain L is intermittently stopped, so as to stop the operation of the auxiliary batt-feed rolls I and I and also the operation of the batt-conveyor Q.

In Fig. 2, the batt-conveyor Q, is omitted. However, this figure shows the frame A equipped with cross-members 27 with which are connected laterally adjustable dividerstrips' 28 which are disposed just above the 7 upper length of the conveyor Q, the batts being fed between the divider strips from any suitable source of supply (not shown).

The batt-severing bar J (Figs. 2 and 4) is suitably notched to engage the strips of cotton. These notches act as shearing notches when the feed of the auxiliary rolls I and I is stopped, while the feed of the main rolls H and H is continued. When the rotation of the rolls I and I is resumed, the deflectorroll K operates to guide the batts to'the main batt-feeding rolls H and'H.

The motor L whichdrives the various mechanisms and the numerous drive-chains connected thereby have already been described.

The feed-table M (Figs. 1, 9 and 12-16) is shown as consisting of a table or platform 29 equipped at its lateral edges with upstanding flanges 29 a dark-colored cloth or fabric'30 supported on the table; a white pattern like guide 31 supported on the dark background; and a glass plate 32 placed over the guidepattern 31 and confined between the flanges 29 of the table. The guide-pattern is provided with a center mark 31*, and preferably is of substantially the form .of the cover. It is provided near its front corners with recesses 31 adapted to permit the grippers of the cover-placing mechanism to close upon the cover without catching the guide-pattern.

The front margin of the guide-pattern pro-.

j ects in front of the front edge of the glassplate and is'supported on laterally adjustable inetal strips 33 carried by a slotted member 34 which is secured to the front edge of the table, as by screws 35. The plates or strips 33 are equipped at their rear margins with fixedly secured bolts 36 which depend through the slots in the members 34 and are equipped with wing nuts 36. The supporting strips 33, are provided, as shown in Fig. 16, with notches or recesses 33, which are adapted to accommodate the grippers when they grip the cover. As indicated, the supporting strips 33 may be adjusted to vary the positions of the recesses 33 when it is desired to vary the positions of the grippers laterall to handle covers of different widths.

The coverp1acing mechanism N ( Sheets 1, 2, 5, 6. 7 and 8) comprises, in the form shown, a pair of forwardly and rearwardly reciprocable gr ppers 37 adj ustably carried by slides 38 which are mounted ontubular guides 39 supported at the sides of the bed of the machine; sprocket-chains 40 attached to the slides 38, the rear ends of the-sprocket-chains being supported on sprocket wheels 41 as best shown in Fig. 12, and the front ends being supported on sprocket-wheels 42 mounted on a transversely extending shaft 43, as best shown in Figs. 17 and 18; a pair of framesupported guide-bars 44 disposed beneath the paths of the slides 38 and engaged by dependingextensions 38% of said slides; a vertical actuating shaft 45 (Fig. 17) having its upper end geared to the shaft 43 and havingits lower end provided with a swinging extension 45*- equipped with a friction wheel 45"; a shaft 46 equipped with friction-disks 47 and 48, either one of which may serve to actuate the disk 45* a sprocket-chain 49 driven from the shaft I1 and serving to actuate the shaft 46; a lever 50 supported on a pivot 50 carried by the main frame and having its lower end connected pivotally with a movable bearing 5O with which the shaftsection 45 is equipped; and a cam-lever 51 actuated by a cam 52 on the shaft L, the

. lever 51 being connected by. a rod 53 to the upper endQof the first shifting lever 50. A spring 54 serves to hold the cam-lever 51 against its cam. The cam is adapted to hold the friction disk45 either in neutral position, or in position against either one of the driving disks 47 and 48.. Obviously, the mechanism is adapmd to actuate the shaft 45 in either direction, and so to drive the sprocket-chains 40 first in one direction and then in the other direction.

Referring to Figs. 9, 10 and 12, each gri per 37 is carried by an adjustable arm 3 a which extends inwardly from the corresponding slide 38.

Beneath the path of each gripper 37 is a track 55 equipped with a cam-portion 55*, at the rear end of which is' a shoulder 55. These cam tracks are in the form of bars which extend across the space occupied by the rearconveyor B, as shown in Fig. 15.

- The ends of the bars are adjustably connected with T-slots in transversely extending framemembers 9 and 56.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 12, each shaft or stem 37 is equipped at its inner end with a fitting 37 provided with a bore through which extends a longitudinally disposed stem 37 which constitutes the shank of the main member of the gripper. This shank is adjustable in the fitting.

- The gripper proper comprises a main jaw 37 and a companion jaw 37 pivotally connected with the main jaw at 37. q A spring 37 connects the jaws, and a plunger 37 is adapted to lift the upper jaw in the manner shown in Fig. 13. A spring-held cam-memher or dog 37 is pivotally connected with the lower jaw at the point 37 This member rides on the cam until it reaches the shoulder.

slides being connected to the'guides at the.

point 57 (Fig; 12). In the illustration given, the cover-placingmechanism is adaptedto move the cover quickly from the feedtable to aposition in which the front margin of the cover overlaps the rear portion of the pneumatic conveyor, the remaining portion of the cover being disposed above the auxiliary conveyor. This leaves the fabric disposed with relation to the conveyor in a way which will be understood from Fig. 10. It will be noted, however, that only the front corners of thecover are supported by the grippers, so that the cover naturally will fall upon the bed, except atits front margin, as the cover is moved forwardly.

In Fig. 1, the grippers 37 are shown at the rear end of their traverse, while in Fig. 17, they are shown at the front end of their traverse. The fabric-forming mechanism 0 will be understood by reference to Sheets 1, 2, 4, 6, 9

and 10. .As .stated above, the forming mechamsm is adapted to'form pleats and intervenmg seam-rldges in the cover-piece. It is preferred to employ a series of pairs of longitudinally disposed formers which travel for- 'wardly with .the fabric, descend and rise again during the forward movement, and finally travel back to the rear end of their traverse by a straight-line movement while in elevated position.

Describing the pleat-forming mechanism 0, it comprises a pair of slides 58 mounted on longitudinal guides 59 forming a part of a frame supported by hangers 60 depending from the frame parts A, the suspended frame being equipped at its front portion with brackets 61 adjustably connected with a cross-bar 62 (Figs. 4 and 20) carried by the standards A of the main-framef a pair of cross-heads 63 secured to the lower ends of plungers 64 which are vertically'movable in guides 58" with which the slides 58 are equipped; cross-rods 65 securely connecting together the cross-heads 63; a series of longitudinally disposed members 66 connecting 'the cross-shafts 65, each of the members 66 having fittings secured on the shafts 65, which fittings are providedwith tubular vertical portions .66 which afi'ord guides; an

- intermediate pair of formers 67. carried by pluiigers 67 which extend through the guides 66; additional pairs of formers 68, 69 and 70 the members of which are arranged chains-72"which have their ends connected with the slides 58 and which pass about supporting rollers 73 with which the frame is equipped, it being noted that one length of each chain passes through the corresponding tubularguide 59.

The mechanism 0 comprises, further, a pair of cranks 74 (Figs. 4, 5 and 10) secured to shafts 74 ournaled in the slides 58 upon which are journaled pinions 7'4" and upon which are fixedly secured disks 74 which are adapted to be actuated by. the pinions 74"; fixedly secured racks 75 carried by the frame supported by the hangers 60 and the brackets 61, these racks being engaged by the pinions 74",'which pinions are adapted to turn idly when .the slides 58 move rearwardly, and are adapted to actuate the crank shafts 74" when the slides 58 move forwardly; links 76 connecting the cranks 74 to the cross-heads 63 which support the pleat-formers, spring projected catches 77 mounted on the upper ends of the tubular guides 58*, these catches being adapted to engage recesses 77 in the cranks 74 so as to releasably hold the cranks in the standing position shown in Fig. 4, this being desirable during the rearward movement of the formers while theyv are m the'elevated position and a fixed projection 78 carried by the pinion 74 which co-acts with a catch 79 carried by the disk 74, the catch or (10:; 79 being carried by .a sprlng arm 80 which is secured to the disk 74, as f shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The mechanism '0 further comprises (Figs. 20, 22 and 23) a shaft 81 equipped with sprocket-wheels 82 which serve to actuate the sprocket-chains-72; grooved wheels 83 secured on the shaft81, said wheels having connected therewith wires or chains 84 which support weights 85 which are adapted to turn the shaft 81 in, such direct/1011118 to move the slides 58 to the rear end of their 2 0 and 22) a ratchet-disk 86 secured on the outer end of the tubular shaft 86; a crankarm 81 secured on the pro ecting end of the shaft 81; a pawl 90 in the form of a bell crank pivotally supported at 91* on the end of the crank 81, said pawl having an actuating arm 90" and a ratchet-engaging arm 90 a spring-held detent 92 mounted in the free end of the arm and engaging a stud or projection 93 with which the crank-arm 81 is equipped, it being understood that the detent 92 is adapted to releasably hold the pawl 90 in the position shown in Fig. 22.

The mechanism 0 further comprises a spring-projected push rod 94, which, as shown in Fig. 22, is adapted to throw the pawl 90 to the ratchet-engaging position, the rod 94 being connected to a cam-lever 95 controlledby a cam 96 fixedly secured on the shaft L; and a stop 97 disposed adjacent the face of the ratchet disk 86 and adapted to engage the arm 90 and effect release of the pawl 90 from the ratchet wheel at the proper moment. The stop 97 is adjustably mounted on a bracket-member 98 carried by the frame.

From the description given, it will be understood that the ratchet-wheel 86 rotates continuously with the tubular shaft 86; that when the cam 96 permits, the spring 99 will actuate the push-rod 94 and throw the pawl19O to the ratchet-engaging position, whereupon the shaft 81 will turn with the ratchet wheel and will actuate the sprocketchains 72 in a direction to advance the pleatformers' towards the front end of the ma chine. This action continues until/the arm 90*"- of the pawl engages the stop 97, whereupon the pawl is released from the ratchet wheel, and the shaft 81 is then rotated in' the opposite direction by means of the weights 85, thus carrying the slides 58 to the rear end of their traverse.

In the forward movement of the slides 58, the rack-actuated pinions 74 serve to actuate the disks 74 and through the medium thereof to turn the crank-shafts 74, thus causing the cranks to lower the cross-heads 63 which are supported on the links 76. During this action, the plungers 64 move in the vertical guides 58 (Fig. 4)

The descent of the cross-heads 63 continues during a portion of the advance movement of the slides 58 and during the final portion of the movement of the slides forwardly the crank arms again lift the cross heads to the elevated position, where they are latched in a manner illustrated in Fig. 4. In the return movement of the slides 58, the cross-heads remain in an elevated position. The lower half of the path of formers, therefore, is of semi-elliptical form, while the upper half is a straight line.

As appears from Fig. 10, the plungers which carry the formers are equipped with springs 100, so that the plungers can yield when they reach the plane of the conveyor,

' while the cross-heads 63 continue to descend.

It will be noted from Fig. 10 that the intermediate formers 67 are normally the lower pair of formers, and that the members of the other pairs are normally located somewhat higher progressively, passing from the intermediate formers to the outer formers.

The effect is to cause the intermediate formers to engage the fabric first along linear portions of the fabric and depress portions of the fabric into the spaces between the intermediate ridge-bars. The other pairs of formers then progressively engage and (lepress the fabric into the spacesbetween the provided with a socket in-which is loosely mounted a ball 101, which is adapted to engage the fabric in opposition to the upper jaw. The ball serves the purpose of permitting the fabric to be withdrawn more readily laterally from the jaw as the gathering operation proceeds under the action of the pleatformers. The pleat-formers, as noted above, bring the cover-fabric within the range of action of the'suction-belt, by which the CO"61' is then conveyed beneathand past the forming roll and sewing-mechanisms.

From the description given, it will be understood that the shaft L is equipped with three cams. One of these cams (L controls the clutch L, which in turn, controls the stopping of the rear batt-feeding rolls I In view of the foregoing detailed description. the operation may be stated quite briefly: V

The lining-fabric P is fed continuously through the machine and is creased to provide seam-ridges, which are well-defined at the point where the creasers G engage the lining and force it into the grooves of the forming-roll F; the strips of cotton-batting Q are carried forwardlybythe endless con-- veyor Q, and are fed to the pleats by the main pair of batt-rolls H and H and the auxiliary pair of feed-rolls I and I at.,proper intervals, the clutch L isreleased and the operation of the auxiliary feed-rolls I and I and of the conveyor Q is stopped; the

main feed-rolls H and H continue to operate and cause the batts to be severed over the y severing device I; the covers M are placed,

one at a time, on the feed-table M by two operators located at opposite sides of the table, the cover being properly positioned over the guide-pattern 31, with the front 10 margin of the cover projecting onto the supporting strips 33 and thus extending across the recesses 33; the grippers, properly timed, are moved rearwardly, the jaws open and seize the front corner-portions of the cover,

[5 and the grippers are then quickly moved forwardly, carrying the cover to the lefthand position shown in Fig. 9; the slides 58 of the forming mechanism O'are moved for-. ward at the proper time,the pinions 7 4" serving during the forward movement to actuate the crank-shafts 74, lower the cross-heads 63 to cause the formers to perform their function, and then raise the cross-heads. In the return movement of the slides 58, the catches 35 78 slip past the spring-held catches 7 9. In other words, the rack actuated pinions 74 turn idly during the rearward movement of the slides 58. p

The covers are carried forward, seriatim, from the feed-table, provided with pleats and intervening seam-ridges, and are then carried forward by the suction-conveyor, passing beneath the creasers G, beneath the forming-roll F, and beneath and past the, sewing-mechanisms. The upholstery then passes between the feed-rolls E and E, which may be usefully employed to insure the proper passage of the materials through the machine. On the other hand, these rolls may be omitted, if desired.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be-construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to cure by Letters Patent, is :1

1. In upholstery manufacture, the method of forming seam-ridges and intervening pleat-fullnesses in pre-cut covers which comprises: gripping the covers, seriatim, at their lateral edges, and carrying them forward, in turn, over spaced ridges; depressing pro gressively parallel linear portions of the fabric into the spaces between the ridges; and pneumatically gripping the depressed portions andfcarrying the fabric forward c while the fabric is thus pneumatically held. 2. The 'method specified in claim 1, in which the depressing of the parallel linear portions of the fabric is accomplished by downwardly and forwardly movable mem- C5 bers which tend to aid advancing the into position to. bring successive linear por-.

tions of the fabric within the grip of said conveyor. v

4. A'machine' as specified in claim 3, in which the fabric depressing members travel longitudinally with the fabric during the fabric-depressing action.

5. A machine as specified in claim 3, in which the fabric-depressing 'members are carried by a traveling frame which. is lowered and raised while moving longitudinally of the conveyor, and in which the fabricdepressing members are independently movable with respect to the frame by which they are carried.

6. In combination in a machine of the character set forth: a bed comprising a conveyor and associated spaced ridges; a series of fabric-depressingmembers over the spaces between said ridges; and actuating means for said members adapted to bring them sequentially into position to depress linear portions of the fabric into the spaces between the ridges.

7. A machine as specified in claim 6, characterized by the cyclically moving frame upon which the fabric-depressing members are yieldingly mounted, the intermediate mem ers being normally at one level and the flanking members being successively at higher levels. J

8. A machine as specified in claim 6, in which the fabric-depressing members are carried by a cyclically moving frame which depends from longitudinally reciprocating i slides equipped with means for lowering and raising said frame during the forward movement of the slides.

9. In' a machine of the character set forth: a bed equipped with spaced longitudinal ridges and adapted to serve in forming a fabric into pleat-fullnesses and intervenmg seam-portions; longitudinally reciprocable slides mounted above said bed and a cyclically moving frame mounted on said slides and equipped with fabric-depressing members disposed overv the spaces between said ridges.

10. A machine as specified in claim 9, inv

which the fabric-depressing members comprise an intermediately positioned member or members disposed normally at one level, and flanking members dis osed normally progressively at higher leve s, said members being yieldin 1y held.

11. A mac ine as specified in' claim 9, in

which the cyclically traveling frame-isequlpped also with yieldingly mountedfabric-engaging members adapted to engage lateral marginal portions of the fabric.

12. In a machine of the character set forth: a bed comprising spaced longitudinal ridges over which a fabric may be shaped; a series of fabric-depressingmembers over the spaces between said ridges, the central member or membersbeing normally at a given level and the flanking members being normally successively at higher levels; a pair of marginal fabric-engaging members adapted to press the marginal port-ions of the fabric against the bed; and means for cyclically carrying all of said members.

13. In combination in' a machine of the character set forth: a bed comprising spaced longitudinally extending ridges over which a fabric may be shaped; a traveling fabric placer adapted to advance fabrics seriatim over said bed; and a series of fabric-formers disposed over said bed and co-acting with said ridges.

14. A machine as specified in claim 13, in which a suction conveyeor is disposed vbeneath and associated with said ridges.

'15. A machine as specified in claim 13, in which the fabric-placer comprises a pair of reciprocating slides mounted at the sides of the bed, and fabric-engaging devices adjustably connected with said slides.

16. A machine as specified in claim 13, in which the fabric-placer comprises a pair of reciprocating slides disposed atthe sides of the bed, arms projecting inwardly from said slides, and grippers carried by said arms.

17 A machine as specified in claim 13, in which the fabric-placer comprises a pair of reciprocating slides mounted at the sides of the bed, grippers carried by said slides, and cam-devices adapted to open said grippers to permit them to grip the fabric.

18. A machine as specified in claim 13, in which the fabric-formers are yieldingly mounted on and depend from a cyclically moving frame, an intermediate former or formers being disposed normally at one level and the flanking formers being disposed normally at higher levels.

19. In a machine of the character set forth: a bed provided with spaced longitudinally disposed ridges over which a fabric may be shaped; and fabric-depressing mechanism comprising slides having cranks. journaled therein, a cyclically moving frame carried by said cranks and equipped withyieldingly supported fabric-depressing members, guides on which said slides are mounted, racks associated with said guides, pinions journaled on the shafts of said cranks and engaging said racks, means for clutching the shafts of said cranks to said pinions when the pinions. travel in one direction, a shaft and flexible transmission ,means connecting the same to said slides, and means for peri0d- 'ric-blank' supporting table;

ically turning said shaft in a direction to ad- Vance said slides and then in the opposite direction to retract said slides.

20. A machine as specified in claim 19, in which thelast-mentioned shaft is actuated in one direction by a weight and actuated in the other direction by a continuously rotating ratchet devicewhich is periodically connected to and then disconnected from said shaft. f i

21. A machine as specified in claim 19, in which the last-mentioned shaft is actuated in one direction by a weight and actuated in the other direction by al'continuously rotating ratchet device which is periodically connected to and then disconnected from said shaft, said ratchet device comprising a continuously rotating ratchet wheel, an arm fixedly secured tothe shaft, a pawl mounted on said arm and adapted to engage the ratchet wheel, and means for automatically throwing said pawl to the ratchet-engaging position and afterwards effecting release of the pawl to permit return of the shaft under the action of the weight.

22. In combination in a machine of the character set forth: a bed comprising a traveling conveyor and longitudinal stationary ridge-bars disposed above said conveyor; a cross-head disposed over the frontportion of said'conveyor; means for feeding aliningfabric beneath said crosshead and forming seam-ridges in said fabric; meansfor placing a cover fabric over said bed; and a series of progressively acting fabric-formers disposed over the spaces between the ridge-bars.

23. In a machine of the character set forth: a bed provided with longitudinal ridges over which a fabric may be shaped; a'nd'fabricblank placing mechanism comprising a fabreciprocating slides at the sides of said bed; and fabricblank engaging devices adapted to transfer fabric from said table to a position over said ridges.

24. Mechanism as specified in claim 23; in which the table is equipped at its front edge with recessed means for supporting the front margin of the fabric, and in which the fabricblank engaging devices comprise grippers adapted to grip the fabric at said recesses.

'25. Mechanism as specified in claim 23, in which the table is equipped at its front edge with recessed means for supporting the front margin of the fabric, and in'which the fabric-blank engaging devices comprise grippers adapted to grip the fabric at said recesses and in which cam-devices are disposed at the sides of the bed and co-act with said grippers to open them to enable them to embrace the fabric. 1

26. Mechanism as specified in claim 23, in which the table is equipped at its front edge with recessed means for supporting the front margin of the fabric, and in which the fab-

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