US2176957A - Tufting machine - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet l E. C. COVELL TUFTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 20, 1957 oct. 24, 1939.

Oct. 24, 1939. E. c. covELL TUFTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 20, 1937 grwe/wbov rf/QL CH/:pM//N C0 VELA.

Oct. 24, 1939. E. c. covELL TUFTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 20, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,176,957 Y Tormo MAcmNE Application November 20, 1937, Serial No. 175,583

2 IClaims.

'I'his invention refers to sewing machines and more particularly to a machine that will do tufting, chenille and snowball work on cloth and fabrics. It has among its objects to provide a machine that will stitch with a thread and produce and reproduce a mechanical reproduction of hand tufting known as candlewick, chenille work, tufting, snowball work and work of a similar character on cloth; to have such a machine arranged that it will cut theloops individually as they are made and avoid bundling bunches' of loops of the thread in a. manner susceptible to entangling and'unintentional breaking; to have such looping as may be required in the chenille or other work, done without wasting thread not required or desirable between bunches of the tufting or having such included in the work connecting the bunches and destroying the individuality desirable above and below the cloth; to have the machine adapted for producing a variable number of arrangements and designs in the doing of this type of cloth work, including the control of the length of the threads or yarn used in the loops; varying the spacing between tufts. and varying the type of tufts; to have the machine arranged that hand removal of pieces of unnecessary and undesirable pieces of thread or yarn, afterwards is avoided; to provide for the economical and' protable doing of this work on the device; and other objects that will become apparent as the invention is more fully set. forth.

-In this invention, the device functioning similarly to that of a conventional sewing machine in general operation will take a yarn or thread and loop it through c1oth cut `each individual loop as soon as made, until the predetermined v number are made, and then jump the spaces required without carrying a yarn or thread across the cloth, and proceed to repeat the stated work. In other types of machines used heretofore, the' loops were cut several at a time, and the yarn was carried from one set of loops to the next across the cloth underneath. Thisk arrangement served to cause a snagging of the yarn and the use of an extra piece of yarn, which when added for the complete coverlet amounted to aconsiderable length. This new invention economizes by avoiding the losses entailed-in using this extra yarn and avoids the incidental objections to the loose pieces from one set of loops to the next. In this invention, the yarn is cut as soon as the last loop in each set is stitched, leaving the set complete and allowing the needle to withiraw any stray amount of yarn left, for use when ;he needlev is operated again. Since this machine permits the loops to be cut individually, it allows snowballs to be placed on the coverlet, by using a yarn of a large number of strands. The strands are spread out after theloop is cut and forms the snowball. Other features can be developed from the use of the machine by reason of its individuality in doing its work and the fact that it has no loops or loose portions to entangle same.

It uses a rotary knife that is preferably running continuously, for providing a positive and efficient manner of cutting the threads and for providing a knife that will more eiiectively cooperate with the other. mechanisms of the machine.

In the accompanying drawings are shown details of a device embodying' this invention, in 15 which: Y

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sewing machine embodying this invention, portions being broken away to indicate the general construction and operation of incidental mechanisms Within it,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine indicated in Figure 1, portions being brokenaway to clarify its operation, and construction,

Figure 3 is an end view in elevation at the 25 needle mechanism, in section, of the machine,

Figure 4 is a detail in section of the tensioning device used with the machine,

Figure 5 is a detail of a portion of the needle bar used in the machine, the end cover being removed,

Figure 6 is a detail in section of the cutter mechanism and looper used in the machine,

Figure 7 is an end elevation partly in section of the cutter mechanismand-looper, Figure 8 is a view looking up under the slotted looper,

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of cutter and looper taken along line 9-9 of Figure 6,

Figure 10 is a, sectional elevation of cam and o mechanism taken along line Ill- I0 of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters referto similar parts throughout the drawings..

In the construction shown in the drawings I represents the main body'of a sewing machine 45 with its rear end 2 provided with an operating pulley 3 of the tight and loose type. For power l purposes this pulley is provided with a belt 4 anda shifter 5. The needle end housing 6 is of the conventional T-shape formed internally for the functioning of the needle mechanism. The bodyis supported on a bed-,plate l which set's ove1 its box 8 hollowed out to permit the functioning 'of the underneath sewing machine construction.

The body supports a crank shaft 9 through 55 `it as indicated and well known. The pulley 3 is II), at the needle mechanism end portion. This mounted on this shaft lat the rear end. The shaft also operates an eccentric or crank member crank member has a crank block II attachedy to it for providing a reciprocating vertical travel to 4the, needle bar I2 of the machine. This block is guided suitably in the needle end housing and the needle bar I2 in holes I4 drilled in the same.

A clutch casing I3 is mounted on the side of the block and arranged with a plunger I5 suitably tensioned with a spring I6 for insertion and withdrawal from a slot I1 in the needle bar. This plunger serves to tie-up the crank member with the needle bar so they will operate together, when the plunger is in the slot I1. The needle bar is released from such operation when the plunger is pulled away from the slot, and against the tension of the spring I6. The plunger has an adjustable head I8 exteriorly provided for attaching same to a control arm I9, which arm pulls the plunger out from the slot at predetermined moments, during the operation of the machine. This arm has a slot 20 in which the `head portion of the plunger can reciprocate vertically as the needle bar moves up and down. This arm, however, is subject to a sidewise movement that will press on the plunger head and cause it to pull the plunger from the slot. 'I'his is done as its supporting spindle 2| rotatingly rocks counter clockwise under the action of the periodic gear mechanisms which are connected with it. The gear mechanism is supported on the sewing machine body I and connects with the main shaft tions of this device. The cam 24 raises the shaft piece 1 I once every revolution. This raising movement is small and makes the arc of movement of the shaft piece 1I give the spindle 2| a torsional movement that is'like a rocking movement. After `the cam has raised and continued its rotation, the shaft piece 1I rotates through the arc backwards under the action of spring 66. An indicator handle 26 is provided for showing visually the status of the gearing.l The spindle in the position indicated is operated by the cam 24. The spindle 2| is supported to the side of the body I by journal members 43 in a horizontal position. The spindle rotates or oscillates through a small arc and the arm 1I is raised and lowered under the action of the cam 24. As the spindle moves, it carries the rod I2I attached tothe control arm I9 with it. When the direction of the movement of this rod I2I is to the right of Figure 3 and Figure 4 it allows the split pulley pieces 28 to come together under the pressure of the spring |29, and thereby tighten up on the thread 29 passing through same. This keeps the thread from feeding to the needle of the, machine and prevents wasting the thread between tufts. 'I'he lower portion of the control arm I9 also carries the plunger I5 with it at the same time, against the tension of the spring I6. This pulls the plunger out of the slot I1, in the needle bar I2 and y allows the bar to be stationary, and incidentally the spindle, control arm I9, and plunger I5 to return to the normal position, with the plunger in the slot I1, then the needle bar is reciprocated by the mechanism of the machine and the needle proceeds again in its work. During this time, the rod I2I is operated to loosen the pulley pieces 28 and permit same to release the thread 29. The needle being connected to and operating with the needle bar reciprocates and stitches through the cloth 3| on the throat plate 36. A suitable support 32 secures the pieces 28 to the cover 34. The cloth is held in position onthe throat plate by the conventional clamping mechanism 33. The throat plate has the usual toothed rack 35 provided for moving the cloth along after each stitch, and functioning in a conventional manner.

The transmission section of the device with the gears 23, cams 24 and 25, and shaft |22, have the connecting partsto operate, which consists of the eccentric arms 10 and 1I which'operate the intermittent shifter 124and tensioning coupler 13, which in turn connect thev oscillating bar 14 and rod 2| respectively. 'I'he oscillating bar 14 is connected by hand to the shifter 12 through the use of a manual plunger 15, and when connected turns its crank arm 16 and throws the clutch member 11 which has control of the power for operating the sewing machine.l When this clutch is thrown out, it shuts off the machine and stops the same. The gears 23 are arranged to give a variable range of gear motions to the transmission and are manipulated to suit through the shifter arm 18 in a conventional manner. When the manual plunger 15 is set, the gears 23 operate until they move the shifter arm 10 and shut oi'the machine after the proper cycle of stitches are made by the gears 23 making the selected number of turns. The exible shaft 63 is operated by the use of the beveled gears 19 and 80. The eccentric arm 10 is operated by thecam 25 by providing a bent piece 8| for it to contact; while the eccentric arm 1I has a similar bent piece 82 for the cam 24 to contact and operate as described. A cam 21 is provided for the purpose of giving acontinuous stitching action and is connected with the arm 1I by moving same over to the slot 83 and tying it to the shaft 2| through the insertion of the plunger 84. 'This operation detaches the arm 1I from the cam 24.

The gear trains 23 and 23 transmit power at variable speeds from the main crank shaft 9 to the shaft |22 when the clutch, which is slidably connected to shaft |22 engages with the face of the selected gear train. This rotates the stitch timing cams 24, 25 and 21 and their respective mechanism. The main crank shaft 9 operates the parts |I| and II and incidentally the needle mechanism. 'I'he thread 29 feeds from the spool through the pulley pieces 28 to the ring 62 down to the eye of the needle.

Under the throat plate 36 and secured suitably to the bed plate 1 are the lshafts that support the cutter wheel31, the looper hook 38 and the incidental parts. 'Ihe looper hook 38 is operated from a conventional feed rocker shaft 39 connected with the feed forked connection 40 on the head end of the machine, and actuated by the'rocker 4I with its pin 4-2. This pin 42 secures the cross plate 44 and oscillates it back and forth on a wave-like stroke in conjunction with the rocker crank 45 with its pin 46 in the slot 41. This closs-plate is preferably of the form indicated in the drawings, having a downward pointing U-piece 48 with a slot 49 for the pin 6l; and with the horizontally placed U- piece v 'Ihe pin 50 is mounted in the bellcrank 52 which pivots on the pin 53, and is adjustable in the slot 54 in the underpost 55. The upper portion of the bell-crank 52 holds the looper 38. The looper is slotted at 58 in order that the circular cutter may pass into same and without hitting the looper. This permits the looper and cutter wheel to work in similar planes without interfering with each other. The cutter wheel is held in place by the arm 51 in the central pin 58.

The upper portion of the needle bar has an extended nat spring member 59 secured to it to raise the bar out of the way when the yarn is cut and thereby keep the end of the latter away from the cloth after being cut. This spring is suiiiciently strong to overcome the lighter coil spring 60 used to keep the needle bar down. The needle for the yarn is held to the needle bar by the collarvand set screw 6|. The spool of yarn is supported on the side of the body and its yarn passes through the ring 62 to the pulley tensioning device 28 to the needle. As the needle is operated by the needle bar, it raises and lowers the needle. The needle passes through the throat plate and cloth, and where the moving forward motion of the looper catches the yarn as the needle is coming up. This holds a loop of the yarny which is carried along the looper spread out by the widening sides of same until the'slot 56 is reached. At this point the cutter wheel is moved on a curve into the looped yarn and by reason of its high rotation caused through the use of a ilexible shaft 63, cut the loop through and leaves the ends and strands of the yarn hanging down from the face of the coverlet. The stitches continue, bent over on the inside face of the coverlet for holding the yarn to the cloth, and hanging down on the outsideface.

The adjustment of the looper and cutter wheel arm permits the cutter wheel and looper to place themselves where they can cut the yarn for various lengths.

This process continues until four or more stitches are made in the coverlet and the loops cut. At the cutting of the last loop. the needle bar is disconnected from the plunger by reason of the movement of the spindle 2|, and raised by the action of the at spring 59.- This movement raises the needle and its yarn, the yarn in the ring 62 also rising to -prevent its looping around the throat plate and cloth on the machine. At the same time, the connecting stitch is taken out of the cloth, ready for the next operation of stitching. In the meanwhile the cloth is carried by the rack the number of stitch distances selected before the next set of loops are put inthe coverlet.

While but one form of the invention is indicated in the drawings, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form otherwise than limited by theprior art, as it is apreciated that other constructions could be used that would employ the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. A sewing machine for tufting, comprising in combination, a base, a sewing machine body, a needle, a needle driving means, a disconnectible connection between the needle and driving means, a feed mechanism located in the base and body, a controlling mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the needle from said driving means for predetermined periods, a mechanism operated by the controlling mechanism for tensioning the yarn in the needle when its mechanism is disconnected from its driving means, cutter and looper mechanism and driving means therefor' for looping and cutting the yarn.

2. A sewing machine for tufting, comprising in combination, a base, a sewing machine body attached to the base, a needle operating in said body, a needle driving mechanism for operating the needle, a disconnectible connection between the needle and said mechanism, a resilient member for said connection for keeping same in cooperative attachment with each other, a fabric feed mechanism disposed in said base and body, a controlling mechanism operated through the driving mechanism for operating the said resilient member so as to connect and disconnect the needle from said driving mechanism for predetennined periods, a yarn holding mechanism mounted on the body interconnected with the controlling mechanism and in the line of travel of the yarn of the machine for tensioning the latter in the needle when the controlling mechanism is disconnected from its driving mechanism, cutter and looper mechanism and operating means therefor for looping and cutting the yarn.

EARL CHAPMAN COVELL.

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