US2224866A - Tufting machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 117, 1940. I MQGLADISH 2,224,866

' TUFTING MACHINE ori inal Filed May '25, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllllll m JOHN M 6 L HDISH N N N .Dec. 17, 1940. J, M, GLADISH TUFTING MACHINE Original Filed May 25, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 1366- 1940- J. M. GLADISH TUFTING MACHINE Original Filed May 25, 1934 8 Sheets-Shegt 5 JOHN MGLADISH grwcwvbo l' J. M. GLADISH Dec. 17, 1940.

TUFTING MACHINE Original Filed May 25, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOHN M. Gum/5H Dec. 17, 1940. J. M. GLADISH TUFTING MACHINE Original Filed May 25, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 M GqLA D15 H Dec. 17, 194.0.

J. M. GLADISH TUFTING MACHINE Original Filed May 25, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 J. M. GLADISH TUFTING MACHINE Dec. 17, 1940.

Original Filed May 25, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 MR E mum m mm 3m Sm @R mm 3m JOHN M. GLAD/5H .1. M. GLADISH TUFTING MACHINE Dec. 17, 1940.

Original Filed May 25, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 JOHN M GLHDI5H UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE one-half to Robert Blair Cannon and onevfourth to Willie Mae Gladish, both of Chattanooga, Tenn.

Application May 25, 1934, Serial No. 727,515

- Renewed June 9, 1939 39 Claims.

This invention relates to a tufting machine, and more especially to a sewing machine equipped with means for severing a strand, and intermittently delivering the severed portions of the strand to a fabric as it is passed beneath the presser foot of the machine, where the severed portions of the strand are sewed successively onto the fabric by, means of a conventional needle mechanism supplied with a convenl0 tional sewing thread.

I have shown the invention as being applied to a sewing machine of standard make, though it is evident that a special machine embodying all of the features shown attached to the conventional machine could be manufactured, placing the parts in different forms and in different positions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sewing machine having means associated therewith, and driven in timed relation thereto for delivering a strand or a plurality of strands to the apparatus and intermittently severing the ends of the strands and seizing the severed portions and intermittently delivering the severed portions to the fabric immediately in front of the advancing presser foot, whereby the severed portions of the strand are caught by the line of stitches and sewed to the fabric. When these severed por- 3U tions are properly flufied or otherwise treated they have a very ornamental effect.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sewing machine, and especially a tufting machine whereby a strand of yarn, or a plurality '5 of strands of yarn may be delivered to the machine equipped with means for severing the yarn into short lengths and seizing the lengths and delivering the same to the fabric as it advances underneath the presser foot, and whereby the line of stitches will cross the delivered and severed strand to sew it to ,the fabric, thus providing tufting apparatus independent of any looping mechanism. This apparatus provides a finished article which has no visible portion of 45 the tufts supplied thereto appearing on the lower side of the fabric, there being only a line of stitchw indicating the course of the applied tufts to the fabric.

The apparatus hereinafter shown and described is particularly adaptable to producing bed spreads, curtains, trimmings for dresses, draperies, pilllow cases, applying fringes to the edges of fabrics or garments, and many other varied uses. Means are also provided in the mechanism 55 for adjusting the length of the severed portions of the strand, that is, the strands can be out very short and delivered and sewed onto the fabric, or they can be cut longer in several varying lengths to produce several different effects. Also means are provided whereby a plurality of different length colored strands can be delivered to the yarn handling and yarn severing mechanism, whereby, when the severed portions of the strand are sewed onto the fabric the various colored portions of the yarn will appear in the finished tuft in various places, thus producing varied and heretofore unaccomplished ornamental efiects.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the left-hand portion of an ordinary sewing machine with my invention applied thereto;

Figure 1A is a side elevation of the right-hand portion of a sewing machine, showing a variable speed unit and also a stitch reversing mechanism applied thereto:

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the lin 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 66 in Figure 1; I

Figure 7 is a detailed view showing in elevation the strand guide for guiding the strands of yarn into my mechanism at desired points;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 in Figure 2 showing in detail the knife for severing the strands of yarn;

Figure 9 is a sectional view through the knife and taken along the line 9-9 in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a horizontal view taken along the line Ill-l0 in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along the line ll-ll in Figure 4 showing the pressing wheel in elevation;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the line l2-l2 in Figure 4; o

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along the 5 line l3-l3 in Figure 4 showing the means for splicing the upper ring;

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line "-14 in Figure 1;

Figure 15 isa sectional view taken along the line |5-|5 in Figure 3;

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line |6l6 in Figure 1;

Figure 17 is an isometric view showing an attachment adapted to be pivoted beneath the throat plate of a sewing machine for securing the end of the bobbin thread in position when the fabric is removed from the machine;

Figure 18 is a sectional view similar to the upper portion of Figure 16, but showing the means for engaging the tuft of yarn in a slightly different position;

Figure 19 is another view similar to the upper portion of 'Figure 16, but showingthe yarn or tuft engaging means in lowered position just prior to being lowered to its lowermost position to where the tuft is sewed onto the fabric;

Figure 20 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 20-20 in Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2 |-2| in Figure 19;

Figure 22 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 22-22 in Figure 16;

Figure 23 is an isometric view of the yarn engaging means;

Figure 24 is an enlarged sectional view similar to the central portion of Figure 16, but showing the yarn clamping means in its lowermost position as the yarn is being sewed onto the fabric;

Figure 25 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 2525 in Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a vertical sectional view looking at the left-hand portion of Figure 1, but showing a modified form of the invention;

Figure 27 is a vertical sectional view similar to the upper right hand portion of Figure 2, showing the cam arrangement adapted to operate the modified form;

Figure 28 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 14 but showing the cam arrangement adapted to operate the modified form;

Figure 29 isa sectional plan view taken along the line 29--29 in Figure 26;

Figure 30 is an isometric view of the yarn or tuft clamping means adapted to operate in the modified form;

Figure 31 is an isometric view of the means for grasping the tuft of yarn and conducting it beneath the presser foot;

Figure 32 is a sectional view taken along the line 32-32 in Figure 1A, and showing means for reversing the direction of oscillation of the feed plate;

Figure 33 is a sectional view similar to the central portion of Figure 11 showing in the present instance six strands of yarn compressed into the groove in the feed ring;

Figure 34 is a plan view of the tuft of yarn as shown in Figure 33, as this strand of yarn will appear on the fabric when sewn thereto by the conventional stitch in a sewing machine;

Figure 35 is a plan view of the tuft of yarn as shown in Figure 34 after it has been washed and Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral I 0 denotes the base member of an ordinary sewing machine which has integral therewith and projecting upwardly therefrom a hollow upright standard ll. Standard II has a horizontally projecting portion or goose-neck I2 which extends to the left and has on the end thereof, as shown in Figure 1, the conventional head l3. The mechanism associated with the head l3 has not been shown in detail because it is not deemed necessary; however, it might be stated that it is conventional in all respects and is present in the ordinary commercial sewing machine. It is with this head that my invention is adapted to operate. By any suitable means, such as set screw I4, I secure a plate i5 to head l3. A

adapted to fit the upper half- rings 26 and 21.

In Figure 13 the detail of the splice of these two rings is clearly shown.

The object of splicing these rings is to make them easily removable so that a different ring with a different spacing of notches on difierent sizes of grooves therein can be substituted for cutting different lengths of tuft or varying sizes of strands; therefore, the upper ring is cut in semi-circles forming two pieces 26 and 21. It is evident that suitable screws 28 and 29 can be threaded into the ring at the splicing point to hold the ring in position. These rings can be removed merely by removing screws 28 and 29, and a different set of semi-circular pieces can be placed therein to accomplish a different result.

A- plurality of radially disposed notches 30 are cut in the semi-circular members 26 and 21 comprising the upper ring; in which is adapted to move a suitable cutting apparatus, such as a knife 3|. By referring to Figures 2, 8, 9 and 10 the details of this knife and associated parts are clearly shown. Secured to the lower side of ring 20, by any suitable means such as screw 33 is a bracket 32, which in turn, is secured to a supporting member 34 by suitable means such as a screw 35.

Secured to supporting member 34 are suitable washers 36 and 31 against which is adapted to slide a slotted bar 38. Disposed on the near side of bar 38 (Figure 8) are washers 39 and 40, and these washers are penetrated by screws 4| and 42, which penetrate slots 43 and 44 in bar 38, and are threadably secured in support 34. By this arrangement it is seen that vertical movement of bar 38 and knife 3| is allowed.

Disposed on one side of blade 3| is a supporting member 45 which in turn is held against slotted bar 38, and disposed on the other side is a similar member 46. Another member 41 is placed against the surface of plate 46, and all of the plates 45, 46 and 41' are securely held to bar 38 by means of screw 48. In Figure 3 the knife 3| is shown in its lowermost position, as it is severing the strand or strands, while in Figure 8 the knife is shown in a raised position.

Pivotally connected to bar 38, as at 56, is a link 51, which projects upwardly and has its upper end pivotally connected as at 58 to an arm 59.

Arm 59 is threadedly secured in sleeve 99, which sleeve is rotatably mounted on shaft II, which in turn, is secured to plate I5. The left-hand end of shaft 9|, as shown in Figure 1. is supported by a suitable link 92 which projects upwardly and encircles a horizontally disposed shaft 99.

Shaft 99 is supported in the upper portion. of plate I5, and is also supported at its right-hand end in bearing 94, said bearing being supported by a post 95, which projects downwardly, and is secured in the upper portion of the sewing machine. Suitable arms 66 and 91 are integral with sleeve 99, and fastened to these arms 99 and 91 are perches 98 and 99, to which are secured flexible members such as cables 19 and H respectively. These members 19 and H project downwardly and are adapted to encircle a hub 12, and are secured to this hub as at 19. Hub 12 is rotatably mounted in plate I5 as at 14, and operates the tuft clamping mechanism which will presently be described.

Arm 99 has secured thereto, as at 19, a cam lever 15, which projects upwardly and is adapted to contact cam 11 at'all times. Likewise, to arm 81 is secured as at 19 a cam lever 19 which will contact cam 89 at all times. Both of these cams are secured to a hub 8|, which in turn is fixedly mounted on shaft 69. It is evident that as the shaft 99 rotates that the cam levers 15 and 19, which are contacting cams 11 and 89 will cause the arms 96 and 91 to oscillate, thereby oscillating the shaft GI and arm 59. This will cause the knife and its associated parts to have oscillatory motion and penetrate the slots 99 in the upper ring comprising portions 26 and 21, a predetermined intervals, and cut the yarn or the tufts in the desired lengths.

It will be noted by referring to Figure 8 that a suitable slot 89 is out also in the lower ring 29 at the point where the knife 9I penetrates the slot, this will allow the knife to move downwardly a suflicient amount to sever the yarn without causing the blade to contact ring 29 and dull the cutting edge. It will be noted in Figures 1, l8 and 19 that the ring 29 is not quite a complete circle as its ends are spaced apart at the front to allow the tuft removing means to have access to the tufts to transfer them to the fabric.

Rotatably mounted on bar I9 are rollers BI and 82 as at 89 and 84 respectively. Roller 8I has a plate 95 disposed on the upper side thereof which projects over the upper surface of the upper ring to hold it in its proper position whereas roller 82 has a flange on the upper side to accomplish this purpose. These rollers engage the inner surface of the upper ring and diminish the friction due to the rotation.

Secured to the lower side of ring 29 by any suitable means such as screws 89 and 89 is a bar 81. The left-hand portion of bar 81 as shown in Figure 3 has pivotally secured as at 99 a bell crank 9I, said bell crank having a horizontally disposed arm 92, which pivotally supports a'link 99. The upper end of link 99 is secured in sleeve 94 by means of set screw 9.5, and in the upper end of sleeve 94 another link 99 is in a like manner secured in the sleeve 94 by means of set screw 91. These links 99 and 99 have conically shaped ends into which the leading edge of a screw 98 is adapted to fit.

bearing 99, which bearingis secured to plate I5 by any suitable means such as screw I 99. The upper end of link 99 has a button I" integral therewith, and this button is adapted to contact a cam I92.

It will beseeirin Figures 1, 3 and 6 that cam .I92'is adjustably mounted on the hub I99 by any suitable means such as a washer I94, and a stud bolt I95, said stud bolt being adapted to be threadably secured in hub I99 and penetrating a suitable slot I99, in the cam I92.

It will be noted that hub I99 is fixedly secured to shaft 99 by any suitable means such as a rivet I99a, and by loosening the stud bolt I95. the throw of the cam can be varied.' When the stud bolt has been loosened the .cam can be moved so that its eccentricity with respect to shaft 99 will vary.

Bell crank 9I has an upwardly extending arm III, which has abutting its upper end a link II2, said link II2 extending horizontally as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and having its other end abutting a suitable projection II9. Projection I I9 is integral with rack member II4, which is held in position by means of an arm II5, which projects toward the observer as shown in Figure 4, and has a point on the end thereof which abuts a lug II9 secured in plate I5.

A suitable spring II1 has oneend thereof secured to rack H4 and the other end secured to pin I I8, said pin II8 being secured in supporting bar I 9. This spring normally pulls the rack member and its associatedparts against the link H2, and likewise holds the point on the end of member H5 in contact with lug II6.

It will be noted in the drawings that for every slot 99 there is a notch I29 corresponding thereto. These notches are adapted to be engaged by rack teeth I2I on the lower side of rack II4, each time the upper ring is advanced. It is seen that as the cam I92 rotates with shaft 99 that the links 99 and 99 are oscillated, thereby causing the bell crank 9|, the link H2 and the rack I I4 to oscillate. This rack I I4 drops downwardly and engages the notches I29 in the upper rings 26 and 21, and advances them a predetermined amount depending upon the throw of the cam I92, and the adjustment made in sleeve 94 by means of set screw 98.

It is evident that if the throw of the cam is small that the rack II4 will advance the ring forward a small amount, whereas, if the throw is great the upper ring will be advanced a greater amount. When the ring has been advanced the rack I I4 immediately rises and moves backwardly to its norm-a1 position, thus preventing the scraping effect of the rack teeth in the bottom of the rack upon notches I29 in the rings 29 and 21.

The means for raising the rack II4 upwardly after the ring has been advanced is accomplished by means which will be presently described. Rack II4 has a groove I22 therein, in which is adapted to slide a plate I29, said plate I23 being held by lug I24, which is fixedly secured to rod I25. The lower endof rod I25 is slidably mounted in a lug I29, which lug is secured to the lower side of bar 91. The upper end of rod I25 slidably penetrates-supporting member 99 and has disposed around the rod beneath the supporting member 99 a compression spring I21, the lower end of said compression spring being confined around rod I25 by means 'of a fixed collar I99.

The upper end of rod I25 as seen in Figure 5 has secured thereto a cam lever I92 which contacts cam I99, said cam I99 being fixedly mounted on shaft 63. It is seen that spring I21 tends to normally force the rod I25 and cam lever I32 downwardly against the cam at all times, whereas, the cam I33 restricts the downward movement of this rod. Cam I33 is so positioned on shaft- 63 that immediately after the rack II4 has advanced the ring comprising members 26 and 21 to its farthermost position that the high portion of cam I33 will contact cam lever I32, thus causing the rod I25 and the rack II4 secured thereto to immediately rise. At this time the cam plate I02 will be in a position so that it will allow the bell crank 8| to release the pressure through link II2 on rack H4, and allow it to return to normal position under the tension of spring II1.

When the upper ring is ready to be advanced again for the cutting of another tuft of yarn, the low side of the cam I33 is contacted by cam lever I32, which again allows the rack II4 to be lowered and engage the notches I20. In this manner there is no grating efiect of the teeth I2I upon the notches I20 in the upper ring, when the rack is allowed to return to normal position, thus causing the machine to operate with less noise. After the rack II4 advances the upper ring the predetermined amount, the knife 3| and its associated parts are caused to move downwardly as shown in Figure 3 to sever the yarn. This is accomplished by the cams and levers which have been previously described.

Secured to the left-hand portion of support 81 as shown in Figure 3 is a bar I4I, which projects upwardly and has secured intermediate its ends as at I42 another supporting bar 09. To the upper end of rod MI is secured a collar I43, which encircles the shaft 63 and supports the mechanism associated with rings 20, 26 and 21.

Secured to the right-hand portion of support 81 (Figures 2, 3 and '1) by any suitable means such as screw I45 is a strand guiding means I44. It will be noted that three rows of holes in the upper portion of guiding member I44 are provided which will enable the yarn to be guided into the ring in any desired position. The top row of holes is denoted by the reference character I41, the center row by the reference character I48 and the lower row by the reference character I49.

It is evident that if one wishes the yarn to assume the upper position in the slot I50 in the rings 26 and 21, that the yarn will be guided to one of the holes in the upper row I41, while if a central position is desired it will be fed through the center row and likewise for the yarn to occupy the lowermost position in the ring the yarn is fed through the lowermost row I40.

In Figures 2, 4 and 7 only four strands of yarn are shown being fed to the ring, but it is evident that fewer or a greater number of strands of yarn can be fed to the apparatus as may be desired. The upper half- rings 26 and 21 have slot I50 extending therearound in which the strands of yarn are held.

At this point it should be noted that it is sometimes desirable that the yarn be treated in a suitable moistening solution before it is fed into the slot I50, in order that it will assume a more compressed and compact position, which will make the yarn more favorable for cutting as well as for handling in the subsequent opera tions which will be later described. In order to accomplish this I provide a suitable extension table I52, upon which is mounted suitable supporting members I53 and I54.

In the upper ends of these supporting members is mounted a suitable rod I55 upon which is mounted a plurality of spools of yarn I56. It is obvious also that this can be constructed to accommodate a greater or a fewer number of spools of .yarn.

Secured to supports I53 and I54 by any suitable means such as screws I58 and I59 is a horizontally disposed guide bar I51. As the strands pass off the spools I56 they are guided through suitable holes in bar I51, and then downwardly beneath a bar I60, disposed in container I6I which container is adapted to contain a suitable treating solution I63 such as water, oil, gasoline, emulsions, dyestuffs, or mixtures thereof.

Container I6I is supported on table I 52 and has mounted on the upper end thereof a pair 01' rolls I64 and I65, between which the strands of yarn pass after leaving the bar I60. Bar I has a suitable handle I60a which is used for removing support I60 from the container I6 I. After the yarn leaves the rolls I64 and I65 it passes upwardly and through a suitable hold in a bracket I66, which is in turn secured to horizontally disposed bar I 51.

By passing the yarn between the rolls I64 and I65 the excess treating solution is extracted from the yarn but allows a certain amount of the solution to remain in the yarn which will cause the yarn to compress and work more easily. When the yarn leaves the bracket I66 it goes to the guiding member I44, and from this point to the slot or groove I50 in the upper dial ring comprising members 26 and 21.

Secured to support 81, as at I1I, is a plate I12 and another plate I13, said plate I12 being disposed beneath the wheel I14, and plate I13 being disposed above the wheel I14, which will cause a slot to be formed therebetween, in which the strand or strands of yarn are adapted to be guided into the main slot I50. Wheel I14 is rotatably mounted as at I15 on bar I16, said bar I16 being 'pivotally secured to bar 81, as at I11. The other end of bar I16 has a slot I18 therein in which is adapted to be received a suitable screw I19, said screw I19 penetrating this slot and being threadably secured in cross bar I0. Whenever it is desired to move the wheel I 14 inwardly or outwardly in th slot I50 to accommodate a greater or lesser number of strands of yarn, the arm I16 is moved inwardly or outwardly by manipulating set screw I10.

By referring to Figures 4 and 12, it is seen that a suitable plate I80 is mounted on the lower ring 20. The lower portion of member I 80 has a slot I82 therein, which is penetrated by a set screw I8I. The upper portion of member I80 has a lip I83, which enters the groove I50 and confines the yarn therein. By means of slot I82 it is evident that minute adjustment of the position of lip I83 in slot I50 can be obtained. A similar member I84 is secured to the lower portion of ring 20, but any suitable means such as set screw I85. This member is identical in cross-section in' all respects to the member I80 and serves the same purpose, and a. showing of this member in detail is not deemed necessary since set screw I65 penetrates a slot similar to slot I82 in member I80.

The yarn passes through the guide I44 and then between plates I12 and I13 into the slot I50 in the upper ring. Then the wheel I14 compresses the yarn more firmly into the slot and from this point the member I84 prevents the escaping of the yarn from the slot I50.

While the yarn is being severed a tension applying means is applied to the strand. This means is provided by securing a bracket I88 to the support member 84, and this member I88 has an outstanding leg to which is pivotally secured as' at I88 a plate I80. The left-hand edge of plate I80 as shown in Figure 4 has an arm I8I which is engaged by a spring I82, said spring I82 extending upwardly as shown in Figure 8, and being penetrated by a suitable set screw I83, which set screw is threadably secured in supporting member 34.

The upper end of the spring I82 normally rests against the supporting member 34, which causes tension to be applied at all times against arm I8I. It is evident then that the other edge of plate I80 will be forced into slot I50 of the upper ring. A suitable plate I84 has its lower edge resting upon arm I8I, which normally holds the arm in position, and this plate is pivoted as at I85 to supporting member 34.

After the yarn has been severed in the desired lengths, it is transferred by movement of the ring, step by step, to the position where it will be transferred from the slot to beneath the presser foot of the sewing machine.

By referring to Figure 16 it can be seen that another hub I85 is secured on shaft 14 and disposed on the opposite side of plate. I5 from the position of hub 12, in Figure 2. Slidably mounted in the face of this hub is a plate I81 which has secured on one end thereof a rod I88, said rod I88 having integral therewith projecting portions I88 and 200. These portions I88 and 200 have notches 20I and 202 respectively cut therein, which are adapted to receive a tuft of yarn. The leaf- springs 203 and 204 are secured to rod I88 and are disposed opposite the notches 2M and 202 and. serve to yieldingly hold the severed 40 tuft of yarn in the notches 20I and 202, as it is being transferred from the groove I50 in the ring to the presser foot where it will be sewed onto a suitable fabric.

Plate I 81 has a suitable slot 206 therein, into 45 which a projection 201 is adapted to fit. Projection 201 is integral with lever arm 208, which projects upwardly and is-secured to a stud 208,

said stud 208 penetrating plate I5 and has secured on the other end thereof (Figure 2) a suit- 50 able lever arm 2I0. Arm 208 projects upwardly beyond the pivot point 208 and has a button 2 II on the far side thereof, which is adapted toslidably contact the plate I5. This merely helps to make the plate more rigid and to resist lateral 55 thrusts which are impartedto the shaft 208.

Pivotally secured in the upper, end of arm 2I0 (Figure 2), as at 2| 2 is the lower end of lever arm.- 2I3', said lever arm 2I3 being pivotally mounted as at 2I4 to plate I5.

By referring to Figure 14 the upper endof lever 2I3 and its relation to the cam is shown more clearly. The upper end of lever 2I3 contacts cam 2I5 at all times, said cam 2I5 being fixedly secured to shaft 83. A tension spring 2I8 has one end secured to the upper end of lever 2I3, and its other end secured to a suitable spring perch .2", said spring perch 2 I1 being secured to the plate I5. This spring causes the upper portion of lever 2I3 to contact cam 2 I5 at 70 all times.

It is seenthat when shaft 83 and cam 2I5 rotate clock-wise in Figure 14, that the upper portion of lever 2I3 will move to the right thus causing the lower portion of lever 2I8 as shown in 75 Figure 2, to move to the left. This movement just prior to the final upward movement of the plate I81 where it will engage the strand of yarn. In Figure 18 the hub I88 has made a slight rotation to the left, and the plate I81 has moved upwardly due to the action of the cam just described.

It should be noted that the springs 208 and 204 are broader than the radial slots 80 in the upper ring and do not enter them but engage the lower lip portion of the ring, whereas, the members I88 and 200 are narrow enough to penetrate their respective slots 80 in the ring member. This causes the tuft clamping means to spread and the spring members 208 and 204 are removed from the arms I88 and 200 and members I88 and 200 are then moved upwardly behind the tuft and will allow the tuft to enter the notches I and 202.

=When the tuft clamping means has moved upwardly and has rotated to the position shown in Figure 1B, and has moved the tuft out of the groove, the springs 203 an'd'204 move to their normal position and yieldingly clamp a tuft of yarn in its proper position. After the tuft of yarn has been grasped, as shown in Figure 18, the plate I81, together with the hub I86 is rotated to the position shown in Figure- 19 by means of the cams -11 and 80 and their respective levers 15 and 18. At this point the upper portion of the lever 2I3 again contacts a high portion on cam 2I5 and causes the lever 208 to oscillate slightly in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby forcing the plate I81 and its associated'parts to a position shown in Figure 24, where the tuft of yarn is placed beneath the presser foot 220, and maintained in proper formation by the tuft clamping means straddling the needle and presser footand moving in timed relation with the feed until the tuft is stitched to the base fabric. At this position the tuft clamping means quickly rises and then oscillates again in the opposite direction, and assumes a position as shown in Figure 16 ready to clamp the next tuft.

It is seen in Figure 19 that when the plate I81 is in this position that a slight clearance exists between the lower side of projection 201 and the slot 208, which is cut in plate I81. This construction is used in order to allow a slight clearance so that when the tuft clamping means is moved, downwardly and is pressed against a previously stitched tuft or an excessively thick piece of goods that the plate I81 will be allowed to move slightly upward, thus preventing any damage to the tuft clamping means or materials.

The mechanism is synchronized throughout so that when the upper ring' is moved to the proper position, the knife operates in timed relation to the yarn clamping means. After the knife has severed the yarn, the knife immediately withdraws from the slot, and the ring is advanced a predetermined amount. In the meantime the tuft clamping means rises and clamps a tuft of yarn while another tuft of yarn is being cut by the knife. While the tuft clamping means is transferring the yarn beneath the presser foot the ring is given a partial rotation and a similar operation is repeated.

By using the present tuft clamping device with two prongs thereon, it is obvious that the tuft of yarn will have to be an odd number of notches in length in order to make the yarn symmetrical about the sewing line. For example, in the present instance, a tuft must be not less than three notches wide. This means that the upper ring will have to be advanced at least three notches for each operation of the cutting knife.

Secured to the presser foot 220, as at 226, is a member 225. which extends outwardly beside the presser foot 220, and has secured on the end thereof u-shaped member 221. Needle thread 226 passes through a conventional needle 229 and then downwardly through the fork of the presser foot 220, and then upwardly through the U-shaped member 221 where it is severed by a cutting edge 230. The end of the thread is held in this position shown in Figure 21, when the fabric is removed from beneath the presser foot, and it is desired that the needle thread be clamped and held in position while the machine is in inoperative position.

Means have also been shown in the lower portion of Figure 16 and in Figure 17 for cutting and holding the bobbin thread after the fabric has been removed from the machine. This is comprised of a member 23I, which is pivotally secured to the lower side of throat plate 232 by any suitable means such as a screw 233, which penetrates hole 234 in member 23I. Member 23I has an arm 235 which is adapted to fit into groove 236 in throat plate 232. In normal position this arm 235 is held beneath the top surface of the throat plate. This arm 235 has a hook portion 236 beneath which the thread is clamped when in inoperative position, said plate having a cutting edge 231 for cutting the thread. Member 23I also has another downwardly projecting member 238, and the end of this member has a spring 239 engaging the end thereof, and the other end of spring 239 rests against the lower portion of throat plate 232, which normally holds the arm 235 beneath the top surface of the throat plate.

A fork member 240 has a prong 24I on its upper end which contacts the lower portion of arm 238, and the other prong 242 fits into a cavity 243 in the base member ID. This member 242 guides the member 240 and holds it in proper position. Pivotally secured to member 240, as at 245, is a horizontally disposed lever 246 which in turn is secured as at 241 to the lower portion of base I0.

By referring to Figure 2 it can be easily seen that the right-hand end of lever 246 has a suitable button or handle 246a thereon which is adapted to be pressed by the operator when it is desired to move the arm 235 upwardly above the top surface of the throat plate to engage the bobbin thread 248. By referring to Figure 22 it is seen that the bobbin thread 248 is clamped and also by referring to Figure 21 it is seen how the needle thread is clamped when the machine is in inoperative position.

A suitable guard 251 is secured as at 258 to plate I in order to prevent the mechanism from the inside of a suitable bore in the end of shaft 63. A projection 26I projects from wheel 269 and is adapted to engage a suitable notch in the end of shaft 63. it being evident that due to the shape of the notch clockwise motion can only be effected. By turning the wheel with thetop moving away from the observer, the projection 26I will not engage the notch. This wheel is provided in order that the shaft 63 may be turned in a clockwise direction only.

It will also be noted that shaft 63 has a sleeve 263, fixedly secured thereon, which has suitable rack teeth in the end thereof, which are adapted to be engaged by a rack tooth in member 264. By turning the wheel 269 in a clockwise direction sleeve 263 will also be advanced as well as the cams I02 and I33. This will cause the time for delivering a tuft of yarn beneath the presser foot to be advanced corresponding to the amount the sleeve 263 and shaft 63 have been turned. For example, if it is found that a tuft of yarn is desired to be placed in a closer relation to the preceding tuft than has heretofore been placed, the manipulation of the hand wheel 259 will advance the delivery of these tufts, since the cams I 62 and I33 will be turned.

Sleeve 264 has suitable slots 261 therein, in which a suitable pin 266 is adapted to fit, said pin 266 penetrating shaft 63. Since spring 268 encircles shaft 63 and is held against sleeve 264 by means of a fixed collar 269, the tooth in sleeve 264 will normally engage the rack teeth in sleeve 263 at all times, unless the sleeve 264 is pushed to the right as shown in Figure 1, and given a partial revolution, so that pin 266 will engage the portion 26111 of slot 261. When this is done the sleeve 264 will be held out of contact with rack 263, and in this position the cams I02 and I33 will be inoperative except for the manual turning of wheel 259.

The extreme right-hand end of shaft 63 is r0- tatably mounted in the upper portion of support 210, and a suitable cone 21I is fixed thereon. Cone 21I is driven by a round belt 212 which projects downwardly and is in turn mounted on another cone 213, said cone 213 having one end thereof rotatably mounted in the bearing 214,

and the other end rotatably mounted in the lower portion of member 210.

The left-hand portion of cone 213 has a suitable wheel 215 iixedly secured thereon by any suitable means such as screws 216. This wheel 215 has mounted thereon a belt 211 which projects upwardly and is mounted on a smaller pulley 218, which pulley is fixedly secured to the main drive shaft 280 of the sewing machine. Another pulley 28I is also fixedly secured on main drive shaft 280 and is adapted to have mounted thereon a suitable V-type belt 282, which in turn is connected to some suitable source of power such as an electric motor.

By referring to the right-hand portion of Figure 1A, it is seen that a suitable rack is provided for adjusting the position of belt 212 on the pulleys 21I and 213 thereby varying the speed of the shaft 63. For this purpose a suitable U-type bar 29I is provided which has horizontally disposed members 292 and 293 having slots 294 and 295 therein, which are penetrated by bolts 296 and 291 respectively. These bolts are threadably secured in the side of member 210.

The extreme left-hand end of members 292 and 293 have pins 298 and 299 secured therein, said pins being disposed on both sides of the belt 212 for holding the belt in the proper position on the cone pulleys 2H and 213.

Pivotally secured as at 300 is a vertically disposed lever 30! which is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 302 to a notched rack 303. Disposed below point 302 is a suitable lever 304 for the manipulation of the belt guide.

Figures 26 to 31 inclusive, show a modified form of the invention in which means for feeding a tuft of yarn of very short length can be eilected. In the previous mechanism described, a tuft of yarn 'must be three, five or seven notches in length or any odd number of notches in length in order to be symmetrical about the stitched line nism in this modified form it is possible to deliver a tuft of yarn of an even number of notches in length to sew it symmetrically about its center line. In this modified form I provide a pin 3l0 (Figure which is fixedly secured in plate I91. Pin 3l0 has integral therewith a rigid member 3 which has in the lower end thereof a notch 3|2, in which the severed portion of yarn is adapted to fit. A spring 3l3 is also integral with pin 3| 0 and acts in the same manner as either spring 203 or 204 acts in conjunction with rigid members I99 and 200 (Figure 23).

It has been found that it is impossible to place the tuft of yarn any nearer the presser foot than i is shown in Figure 26, with the tuft clamping means, and there are several changes in this form of the invention that must be made to stop the rotative movement of hub 12 and plate I91 when it falls to the position as shown in Figure 26, so that spring 3l3 will not engage the toe of the presser foot 220. A cam 3l5 (Figure 28) is fixedly secured on shaft 63, and is-very similar to the cam 2 I 5 shown in Figure 14, but is so shaped that the movement of plate I91 and its associated parts 3 and 3l3 will move downwardly to deliver the tuft of yarn to the fabric immediately after it assumes the position which is shown in Figure 26.

Suitable cams 3l6 and 3" (Figure 27) are also fixedly secured to shaft 63. These cams are similar to cams 80 and 11 respectively, as shown in Figure 2; however, they are modified to control the oscillation of the hub 12, in order that it will stop when it has rotated the hub 12, plate I91 and its associated parts 3 and 3l3 to the position shown in Figure 26.

After the tuft of yarn has been delivered to the fabric, other means are provided for grasping the tuft of yarn and conducting it beneath the presser foot 220. A forked member 3l8 having hooked members 3l9 and 320 are disposed to move downwardly with members 3 and 3i3 when the tuft of yarn is in the position shown in Figure 26, and pull the tuft of yarn to the left no and conduct it beneath the presser foot 220.

This downward and rearward motion of the" hooks 3 I 9 and 320 is effected by the cams MI and 322 mounted on shaft 63.

Cam 322 is secured to a hub 325 by any suitable as means such as a stud bolt 324, said stud bolt piercing a slot 326 in the cam plate 322. Cam 322 and its associated parts are similar in all respects to the cam I02 as shown in Figure 6 and may be adjusted with relation to the upper portion of lever 321. Lever 321 is integral with member M9 and is pivoted as at 328 to plate IS. A slot 329 is provided to allow a slight vertical movement in the lever 321.

It is seen by referring to Figure 26 that the 15 cam 322 oscillates the lever 321 and causes the when sewn tothe fabric. By using the mechahook-members 3l3 and 320 to move back and forth for each revolution of shaft 83. It is further seen that a suitable cam arm 330 is adjustably secured to the upper end of lever 321 and this arm 330 is adapted tocontact the upper portion of cam "I.

The lever 321 is normally pressed against the cam 322 by any suitable means such as a tension spring "I, which has one end secured to the lower portion of lever 321 and its other end secured as at 322 to plate ii. In the position of the cams shown in Figure 26, it is evident that as the cam 32l rotates in a clockwise direction the lever 321 and its associated parts will be lowered thus allowing the hook members 3I9 and 320 to engage the tuft of yarn. when this is lowered, it is seen that the high side of cam 322 will engage the lever 321 and cause the lowerportion of lever .321 and its associated parts to conduct the tuft of yarn beneath the presser foot 220 where it will be sewed to the fabric. As has been stated, this attachment provides means whereby a tuft of yarn of an even number of notches in length can be sewed to the fabric.

The other portions of the mechanism are similar in all respects and it is not deemed necessary that a description of these parts be repeated. It is evident from the drawings, however, that the hook members 3i 9 and 320 move forwardly toward the front of the machine in an elevated position as shown in Figure 26, and then upon further rotation of the shaft, the hook members are allowed to drop down upon the fabric and then move rearwardly under the cam 32l until the tuft of yarn is conducted beneath the presser foot 220. It again rises in elevated position over the tuft of yarn and repeats this operation.

Figure 24 shows a sectional view in which the fabric 335 is fed beneath the presser foot 220, and tufts of yarn 336 are being sewed thereto, by means of the first mechanism described. In Figure 33, six strands of yarn, namely 331, 338, 339, 340, 3 and 342 are shown disposed within groove I50 of the upper ring. This is shown for purely illustrative purposes, while it is apparent that any number of strands may be used.

The strands as shown in Figure 33, when conducted to the fabric will be disposed in an upside down position from that shown in Figure 33, since the tuft of yarn after it has been severed will be turned approximately degrees, when it is delivered upon the fabric.

In order to show how a varied colored effect can be produced, let us assume that a strand of yarn 3 is made of some particular color whereas the other strands are all of the same color. Figure 34 shows the position of the strand 3 after it has been sewed to the fabric 335.

Figure 35 shows the position of this same strand 3 after it has been flufied. It is apparent that this will bring out a varied color scheme, for example, with a colored dot in the center and the remainder of the fluff portion being uncolored. Figure 36 shows still another effect that can be produced when the strand 338 is of a colored material, and the remaining strands of another color.

In Figure 3'1 the position of strands 331 and 340 and strands 339 and 342 are shown when the tuft of yarn has ben fluifed. It is evident that these strands could be of a colored material, whereas, the remaining strands could be uncolored and produce still another color effect.

Figure 38 shows the position of strands 331 and 339 when the tuft of yarn has ben fluifed. Likewise, should these strands be of colored material, four colored dots would appear in the periphery These examples are merely shown to illustrate the various color schemes that can be produced by the use of my apparatus. It is evident however that any number of color schemes could be shown and it is not deemed necessary to show any more than is necessary to disclose the purpose of the invention.

It is frequently desirable at the beginning or end of a course of stitches to reverse the osciliation of the feed plate and the direction of travel of the cloth, and to sew the tuft more securely at the beginning or end of the line of stitches and to prevent the stitches from unravelling. In Figure 32 I have provided means for reversing the direction of oscillation of the conventional feed plate.

By reversing the oscillation it is obvious that the direction of travel of the cloth will be reversed and consequently the end stitches will be reinforced because more stitches will be placed atthe point where it is reversed. The conventional feed plate 342 is operated by the feed plate shaft 343, upon which is fixedly mounted a lever 344.

Pivotally secured at the end of this lever, as at 345, is a vertically disposed link 346, which contacts at the upper end thereof an eccentric cam 34! mounted on shaft 280. Pivotally secured to the upper portion of link 346, as at 348, is another link 349 which projects downwardly and has pivotally secured at its lower end bell crank 35l. This bell crank is pivoted to the standard II, as at 352. and projects to the left, as shown in Figure 32, penetrating a slot 353 in the standard II.

On the left-hand end of the bell crank 35l is threadably secured a handle 354. An angle member 355 having a slot 356 in the vertical leg is secured between handle 354 and bell crank 35!. The outstanding leg 35! of angle member 355 projects into slot 353. It is evident that by loosening the handle 354 and adjusting the height of angle member 355 that the downward movement of bell crank 35! can be varied.

A suitable tension spring 358 is secured to handle 354 and has its lower end secured. to the housing of standard II, as at 359.

When bell crank 35I is so positioned that the center of shaft 280, point 350 and point 345 are in direct alinement, the rotation of cam 34'! will not produce any vertical movement or any oscillation in feed plate shaft 343. However, when the bell crank 35! is so positioned that point 350 will fall to the right of a line drawn through the center of shaft 280 and point 345, the shaft 343 and the feed plate will oscillate in a conventional manner. By raising the bell crank 35l so that the point 350 will fall to the left of the line drawn through the center of shaft 280 and 345, the oscillation of feed plate shaft 343 will be reversed, thus the travel of the cloth beneath the presser foot Will be reversed. The spring 358 is provided so that when the direction of oscillation of the feed plate 342 is desired to be reversed from the conventional manner that the handle 354 can be moved upwardly in slot 353 and held in this position manually until the direction of travel is desired to be returned to the conventional manner.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle carrying a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric through the machine, a yarn conveyor, a reciprocating knife, means for feeding a strand of yarn into said conveyor, means for advancing the yarn conveyor step by step in the path of said reciprocating knife to cause said strand of yarn to be intermittently severed, and means for seizing the severed portions and intermittently delivering the same in advance of the needle, to be sewed onto the fabric.

2. In a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle carrying a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric through the machine, a reciprocating kmfe, a yarn conveyor carrying a strand of yarn comprising a rotatable ring member, means for advancing said conveyor, step by step, in timed relation and in the path of said reciprocating knife to cause said strand of yarn to be intermittently severed, and means for seizing the severed portions and intermittently delivering the same in advance of the needle to be sewed onto the fabric.

3. Means for sewing severed strands of yarn to a fabric comprising a sewing machine having a presser foot and a reciprocating needle carrying a sewing thread, means for delivering a strand of yarn to the sewing machine, means for intermittently severing the strand of yarn into short lengths, means for transferring the severed lengths of yarn onto the fabric slightly in advance of the presser foot, and means for engaging said lengths to guide the same beneath the presser foot.

4. In a sewing machine, means for feeding a fabric through the machine, means for feeding strands of yarn thereto, means for severing the strands into a plurality of portions, and means for seizing the severed portions and delivering the same in advance of the needle to be sewed onto the fabric.

5. A sewing machine having a reciprocating needle for piercing a fabric and means for delivering a sewing thread to the needle, means for supplying a strand of yarn to the sewing machine, means for cutting the strand into short lengths of yarn, means for transferring the lengths to the fabric and the needle to be sewed onto the fabric, and means for adjusting the feed of the yarn to vary the lengths cut therefrom, and means for varying the operation of the transferring means with relation to the travel of the fabric to space the position of the lengths on the fabric.

6. A sewing machine having a reciprocating needle and means for supplying a sewing thread to the needle, means for feeding a fabric past the needle, rotatable means above the fabric and having a peripheral groove therein, means for feeding a plurality of different colored strands of yarn to said groove, means for compressing the strands to form one strand of different colors, a cutter for cutting the strands into given lengths, means for transferring the lengths of yarn from said groove to the fabric and feeding them to the means for feeding the fabric through the machine and holding the lengths until the line of stitches formed by the needle sew's the lengths to the fabric.

' needle provided with means 7. A tufting machine comprising a reciprocating needle and means for-feeding a thread to the needle, means for feeding a fabric past the needle, means for feeding a tufting strand to a. point removed from the needle, means for severing the strand, means for seizing the severed portions of the strand, and feeding the same to the needle to be sewed to the fabric and means for timing the rate of feed of the severed portionsto thereby regulate the position of thetufts on the fabric.

8. A sewing machine having a reciprocating for feeding a sewing thread to the needle to form a line of stitches on a fabric. means for feeding a fabric past the needle, a rotary member disposed above the needle and having'a peripheral groove therein and also having a plurality of radially disposed grooves crossing said peripheral groove, means for feeding a strand to said peripheral groove, means for intermittently moving the rotary member, a reciprocating cutter, means for intermittently moving said cutter into certain of said needle, means 'a fabric therethrough and means, means for cutting the yarn into tufts,

radial grooves to sever the strand, means for seizing the severed portions of the strand and transferring said portions to said fabric in front of the needle.

9. A sewing machine having means for feeding having yarn feeding and means for feeding the tufts to the surface of the fabric to be sewed thereto by the sewing machine.

10. A tuft forming machine comprising a reciprocating needle provided with a sewing thread, means for feeding a fabric past the needle, means for holding bunches of yarn of the desired length and in sufficient quantities to make a tuft and means for intermittently feeding the bunches of yarn from the holding means to the fabric in advance of the needle to be sewed onto the fabric.

11. A tuft forming machine comprising a reciprocating needle provided with a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric past the needle, means for cutting a strand of yarn into tufts and means for feeding the tufts, one at a time, to the fabric and the needle to be sewed onto the fabric, and means for reversing the direction of travel of the fabric.

12. A tuft forming machine comprising a reciprocatingneedle provided with a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric past the needle, means for cutting a strand of yarn into tufts, means for feeding the tufts, one at a time, to the fabric to be sewed thereto by the needle, and means for adjusting the operation of the cutting means to vary the length of the tufts. I 13. A tuft forming machine comprising a reciprocating needle provided with a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric past the for cutting a strand of yarn into tufts, means for to the fabric to be sewed thereto by the needle, and means for adjusting the feeding means with relation to the travel of the fabric to thereby regulate the spacing of the tufts on thefabric.

14. A sewing machine having a reciprocating needle, means for feeding a fabric to the needle.

, sewing machine, means feeding the tufts, one at a time,

' means for timing the rate of delivery of the tufts to regulate the spacing between the tufts on the fabric.'

16. In a machine for sewing tufts on fabric having a reciprocating needle and means for feeding a sewing thread to the needle, a rotary member disposed above the needle and having a peripheral groove therein, means for feeding a strand to said groove as the member rotates, means for severing the strand into relatively short lengths, means for seizing said severed portions and transferring them to the fabric in front of the needle whereby the line of stitches formed by the needle will traverse the severed portions and sew them to the fabric.

1'7. Means for sewing severed strands of yarn to a fabric, comprising a sewing machine havin a reciprocating needle carrying a sewing thread, means for delivering a strand of yarn to the sewing machine, means for intermittently severing the strand of yarn into short lengths, means for transferring the severed lengths of yarn onto the fabric and delivering the same to the needle to be sewed onto the fabric.

18. Means for sewing severed strands of yarn to a fabric, comprising a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle carrying a sewing thread, means for delivering a strand of yarn to the sewing machine, means for intermittently severing the strand of yarn into short lengths, means for transferring the severed lengths of yarn onto the fabric and delivering the same to the needle to be sewed onto the fabric, and means for varying the rate of travel of said severing and transferring means.

19. In a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle with a sewing thread therein, a reciprocating knife, a yarn conveyor, means for feeding yarn to said conveyor, saidconveyor comprising a toothed rotatable ring member, a rack member for engaging said teeth to advance said yarn conveyor step by step in the path of said reciprocating knife, means for raising said rack out of engagement with said teeth after the conveyor has been advanced to allow the rack to return to normal position, and means for severing the strands into a plurality of portions and intermittently delivering the same in advance of the needle to be sewed onto the fabric.

20. Means for sewing severed strands of yarn to a fabric, comprising a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle carrying a sewing thread, means for delivering a strand-of yarn to the for intermittently severing. the strand of yarn, and means for transferring the severed lengths of yarn onto the fabric and delivering the same to the needle to be sewed onto'the fabric.

21. A sewing machine having a reciprocating needle for piercing a workpiece, means for forming turfs on said workpiece comprising apparatusfor holding severed lengths of yarn, and means for engaging the severed lengths and feeding the same to the surface of the workpiece in front of the advancing needle to be sewed onto the workpiece by the advancing needle.

22. A sewing machine having a reciprocating needle for piercing a workpiece, means for forming turfs on said workpiece which comprises an apparatus for holding a supply of relatively short lengths of severed yarn, means for engaging a bunch of said severed lengths of yarn and feeding the bunch to the needle and holding the same until the turf is formed on the workpiece from 6 said bunch of yarn.

23. Apparatus for forming turfs on a workpiece comprising a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle for penetrating said workpiece, means for holding a supply of short lengths of yarn, means for engaging a quantity of said lengths of yarn and conveying the said quantity to the needle and holding the same until said quantity is sewed to the workpiece.

24. A sewing machine having a reciprocating needle for piercing a workpiece, means for holding a supply of yarn cut into short lengths, means for engaging a bunch of said short lengths and conveying the same to the needle and holding the same while the bunch is sewed to the fabric.

25. A sewing machine having a reciprocating needle for piercing a workpiece, means for sewing turfs to the workpiece comprising means for holding a supply of relatively short lengths of yarn cut to desired length, and means for intermittently engaging a portion of said out yarn and conveying the same to the needle and holding the same while the cut yarn is sewed to the workpiece.

26. Apparatus for making tufted rugs and the like from a suitable workpiece which comprises a sewing machine provided with a reciprocating needle for penetrating the workpiece, and means for holding a supply of cut yarn, means for in termittently engaging bunches of said yarn and conveying them to the workpiece in advance of the needle and holding the bunches while they are sewed to the workpiece by the reciprocating needle.

27. In a sewing machine having a reciprocat- 40 ing needle carrying a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric through the machine,

means for holding yarn cut into predetermined lengths, and means for seizing a bunch of cut yarn and feeding the same to the needle to be 45 sewed to the fabric.

28. In a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle carrying a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric through the machine, means for holding a supply of yarn cut 50 to predetermined lengths, and means for intermittently seizing a bunch of the cut yarn and feeding the same to the fabric in advance of the needle and holding the yarn until it is sewed to the fabric by the needle.

65 29. A sewing machine having a reciprocating needle provided with a sewing thread, means for holding a supply of yarn cut to desired lengths. and means for intermittently engaging a bunch of cut yarn from said supply and transferring it to the needle and holding the bunch while it is sewed to the fabric by the needle.

30. A sewing machine having means for feeding a fabric therethrough, means for holding a as supply of yam cut into tufts, and means for feeding the tufts to the surface of the fabric to be sewed thereto by the sewing machine.

31. A sewing machine having means for feeding a fabric therethrough, means for holding a 70 supply of yarn cut into tufts, and means for intermittently engaging a tuft of yarn and moving it to the surface of the fabric to be sewed thereto by the sewing machine.

32. In a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle provided with a thread, means for feeding a workpiece relative to the needle, means for intermittently feeding tufts of yarn to the workpiece in front of the needle, and means for varying the rate of feed of the tufts relative to the rate of feed of the workpiece to thereby space the tufts the desired distance on the workpiece.

33. In a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle carrying a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric through the machine, means for holding a supply of yarn cut to predetermined lengths, and means for intermittently seizing a bunch of the cut yarn and feeding the same to the fabric in advance of the needle and holding the yarn until it is sewed to the fabric by the needle, and means for changing the rate of feed of the tufts relative to the rate of feed of the fabric to thereby secure the desired spacing of the tufts on the fabric.

34. A sewing machine having means for feeding a fabric therethrough, means for holding a supply of yarn cut into tufts, means for feeding the tufts to the. surface of the fabric to be sewed thereto by the sewing machine, and means for changing the rate of feed of the tufts relative to the rate of feed of the fabric to thereby secure the desired spacing of the tufts on the fabric.

. 35. A sewing machine having means for feeding a fabric therethrough, means for holding a supply of yarn cut into tufts, means for intermittently engaging a tuft of yarn and moving it to the surface of the fabric to be sewed thereto by the sewing machine, and means for changing the rate of feed of the tufts relative to the rate of feed of the fabric to thereby secure the desired spacing of the tufts on the fabric.

36. A tuft forming machine comprising a reciprocating needle provided with a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric past the needle, means for cutting a strand of yarn into tufts, means for feeding the tufts to the fabric to be sewed thereto by the needle, and means for adjusting the operation of the cutting means to vary the length of the tufts.

37. A tuft forming machine comprising a reciprocating needle provided with a sewing thread and having means for feeding a fabric past the needle, means for cutting a strand of yarn into tufts, means for feeding the tufts to the fabric to be sewed thereto by the needle, and means for adjusting the tuft feeding means with relation to the travel of the fabric to thereby regulate the spacing of the tufts on the fabric.

38. A sewing machine provided with means for holding cut lengths of yarn and means for feeding the cut lengths of yarn onto the surface of a fabric in spaced relation to each other to be sewed to the fabric by the needle of the sewing machine.

by the needle.

JOHN M. GLADISH.

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