US2323896A

US2323896A - Selective plaiting machine

Info

Publication number: US2323896A
Application number: US364558A
Authority: US
Inventors: John J Cahill
Original assignee: MUTUAL MACHINE Co
Current assignee: MUTUAL MACHINE Co
Priority date: 1940-11-06
Filing date: 1940-11-06
Publication date: 1943-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1960-07-13

Description

July 13, 1943. J. J. CAHILL 2,323,896

' SELECTIVE PLEATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 13, 1943. J. J. CAHILL SELECTIVE PLEA'IING MACHINE I Filed Nov. 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY July 13,.1943. J. J. CAHILL 3,

SELEC'I'IVE PLEATING MACHINE Filed Nov; 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIA A; mlmmlmlnrm 1 n mung; I 2

Patented July 13, 1943 2,323,896 SELECTIVE PLAITING MACHINE John J. Cahill, New York, N. Y., assignor to Mutual Machine Company, New York, N. Y., a

copartnership Application November 6, 1940, Serial No. 364,558

22 Claims.

The present invention relates to plaiting machines, and aims to provide certain improvements therein. More particularly it relates to the type of machines commonly used to make so-called Crystal plaits.

Such plaiting machines generally consist of two upright side frames between which extends a comparatively large cylinder or roller, which is usually held non-rotatable by set screws or other means. The cylinder is heated, and the material to be plaited is passed thereover. In order to press the material tightly against a portion of the surface of the cylinder, a plurality of flexible metal bands are usually secured to a cross frame near the front of the machine and extend transversely across a part of the surface of'the cylinder. Each band is usually attached to a spring which in turn is connected to a cross bar at the back of the machine. Variable tension can be applied to the springs and bands, and usually an intermediate cross bar is provided which can be adjusted to press the material into more or less intimate contact with the surface of the cylinder. plaited is usually fed between upper and lower layers of paper which pass over the cylinder and beneath the bands. The feeding operation is effected by means of a reciprocating plaiting knife or comb, having a plurality of teeth thereon which fit through correspondingly located slots in the bands. The knife bears against the surface of the cylinder and crimps the paper and material simultaneously with the forward feeding operation. In this type of machine the roller is a non-feeding roller. The knife serves the dual purpose of plaiting the material and feeding it forward on the downward or effective stroke of the knife. As the plaiting and feeding operations are interdependent in Crystal plaiting machines, it follows that the material is necessarily plaited over its entire length. With this type of machine it is difiicult to provide unplaited areas on the cloth.

An object of the present invention is to provide plaiting machines of the type described with a mechanism which may be brought into play at the will of the operator for providing unplaited spaces of a predetermined width and locat on on the material to be plaited as it passes through the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selector means for selectively varying the width of such unplaited spaces and their location.

A further obi-cot of the invention is to provide a machine of the type described with a mecha- The material to be nism for selectively varying the character of the plaiting operation and the plaited product.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

With these objects in View, the present invention provides a plaiting machine of the type described with a mechanism which normally restrains the plaiting roller or cylinder from rotation' about its axis, and which, hence, permits the formation of Crystal plaits in the customary manner by the relative movement of the plaiting knife across the surface of the roller on its effective stroke. The mechanism also is provided with means for periodically rotating the cylinder about its axis in timed relation with the plaiting knife on its effective stroke, which causes the fabric to be fed forwardly unplaited or in a modified plaited condition. A selector means is also provided which enables the operator to determine in advance the width of plaited and unplaited areas that he desires on the fabric, such mechanism operating automatically to restrain the roller from turning while the selected number of plaits are being made, and automatically to cause the roller to turn a predetermined distance to provide an unplaited or modified plaited space of the width desired.

In the accompanying drawings'illustrating the preferred form of the invention:

Figure 1 is a transverse section through a Crystal plaiting machine of the type described, and to which the present invention is particularly applicable;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a Crystal plaiting machine constructed ac,- c'ording to the present invention, the parts of the spacing mechanism being shown in the position they occupy for rotating the plaiting roller;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of the spacing mechanism shown in Fig. 2, with the exception that theparts of the mechanism are shown in the position they occupy for arresting rotation of the roller; I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in end elevation and partly in section, taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the plaiting knife eccentric assembly and is taken along the line '5--5 in' Fig. lvwhen viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-1 in Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the index head assembly which selectively controls the operation of the spacing mechanism, and is taken along the line 3-8 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 illustrates a plaited swatch of material of the type obtainable with machines constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention, the plaitingmachine shown is a Crystal plaiting machine having a pair of side frames I!) which serve to support most of the operative mechanism of the machine. The frames in turn are supported by depending legs I2. The machine has a plaiting roller I3 suitably supported in the side frames; a plurality of flexible metal bands I30 which are disposed transversely of the roller; the upper end of each band is secured to a cross bar I4 and the lower end of each band is secured to a coil spring I 5; each coil spring in turn is secured to a horizontal transverse bar I6 which may be moved inwardly or outwardly to increase the tension on the bands. An intermediate tensioning bar I! bears against the bands and may be adjusted by means of screws I8 to press the bands into more or less intimate contact with the roller I3. A plaiting knife or comb I9 is supported in a knife bar which in turn is connected to a strap member 2I surrounding an eccentric. The eccentric mechanism indicated generally at 22 in Fig. 1 is mounted on the main drive shaft 23 and imparts a reciprocatory motion to the plaiting knife I9. The working edge of the knife is provided with a plurality of small teeth which protrude through correspondingly located slots in the flexible metal bands I3a.

A continuous sheet of paper 24 from an upper paper roll 24a is led downwardly around idler roller 25 and then over the plaiting roller I3 beneath the bands I 3a. A second continuous sheet of paper 26 is led from a lower paper roll 26a over an intermediate idler roller 21 and then over the plaiting roller I3 and beneath the bands I3a. Cloth, fabric or other material to be plaited is fed into the machine between the two continuous sheets of paper at their point of meeting at

idler rollers

25, 21. The downward or effective working stroke of the plaiting knife I9 as it moves across a portion of the surface of the stationary plaiting roller I3 plaits the papers and fabric and feeds them forwardly until they are deposited in a receiving pan 28.

The machine as thus far described is found in the prior art and is the conventional type of Crystal plaiting machine. The plaiting roller is held stationary at all times and the plaiting and feeding operations are performed by the plaiting knife on the downward or effective working stroke.

According to the present invention a plate 3| is secured to one of the side frames I0 by means of cap screws, not shown, said plate serving as a support for many of the parts of the spacing mechanism mounted thereon. The plate 3| is provided with a hole 33 of sufiiciently large diameter to receive the neck 34 of the plaiting roller I3, which fits loosely therethrough. The neck preferably is of reduced diameter, and is provided with an extension member 34a secured thereto.

A double ratchet wheel assembly 36 comprising an inner wheel 36a and an outer Wheel 3611 is suitably secured to the plaiting roller neck 34 and extension 3411 and is adapted for rotation therewith. The inner ratchet wheel 36a is provided with a hub 31 to which is attached the outer wheel 3% by means of cap screws 38. The hub serves to space the two ratchet wheels apart.

Disposed between the two ratchet wheels 36a, 36b is a large rocker plate 40 which is loosely fitted over the hub 31 and is mounted for movement relative thereto. Said rocker plate is in turn connected to a main connecting rod 4| preferably provided with a needle bearing 42 which accommodates a pivoting stud 43 held in place by a nut 44. The connecting rod has an eccentric strap 45 at its upper end surrounding an eccentrically-mounted stud 48 forming part of an adjustable eccentric mechanism shown generally at 48. Said eccentric mechanism is keyed to the main drive shaft 23 and serves to impart a reciprocatory motion to the rocker plate 40 through connecting rod 4|.

An actuating pawl 50 is pivotally mounted at 5I on the rocker plate 40 and normally engages the outer ratchet wheel 36b. A flat leaf spring 53 secured to a post 54 normally presses against the pawl as shown and urges it into engagement with the outer ratchet wheel 36b. It will be observed that the teeth on the outer ratchet wheel are cut as shown for engagement by the pawl 50 on the downward thrust of the rocker plate 40, for causing the plaiting roller I3 to be rotated thereby, while permitting the pawl to slip past the teeth on the upward stroke of the rocker, in the manner customary with pawls and ratchets. The toothed edge of the pawl 50 is preferably made in two segments, one of which is preferably disposed approximately one-half ratchet tooth inwardly of the other, in the manner frequently done with this type of mechanism for the purpose of causing the outer ratchet wheel 36b and the plaiting roller I3 to turn selected distances within the limits of one-half tooth. An auxiliary pawl 51 of the same general type as actuating pawl 50 is pivotally mounted on block 57a secured to the plate 3|. This pawl too is provided with a fiat leaf spring 58 which urges it into engagement at all times with the teeth on the outer ratchet wheel 36b. It serves to prevent reverse rotation of the plaiting roller I3 when the actuating pawl 50 is held out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 33b, in the manner presently to be described.

When the actuating pawl 50 engages the ratchet wheel 33b, as thus described, the reciprocations of the rocker plate 49 impart intermittent rotative motion to the plaiting roller I 3, in timed relation with the reciprocatic-ns of the plaiting knife I9. This gives rise to an unplaiied space on the material or the formation of a modified plait, depending on the throw of the knife, the arc of rotation of the roller, and the timing of the two movements. The machine is preferably designed to turn the roller i3 at a surface speed equal to the speed of movement of the knife 53 on its effective stroke. In this way an unplaited space may be obtained merely by timing the roller to turn at the instant the knife engages it. and by giving the roller an arc of rotation which is at least equal to the effective stroke of the knife.

A modified plaiting effect may be obtained if the arc of rotation of the roller is less than the effective knife stroke. This would result in small plaits laterally spaced from each other. ther .modified plaiting effects may be obtained by vary- 'ing' the knife throw, the arc of rotation of the .roller, and the timing of their movements.

As previously mentioned, in Crystal plaiting machines of the type illustrated the plaiting operation is performed on the downward thrust of the plaiting knife I 9 as it slides across the surface of the roller I3. For standard plaiting the roller preferably should be held stationary. The size of the plait is usually about one-half the stroke of the knife after it engages the material. Also, with this type of plaiting machine, the feeding operation is performed by the plaiting knife as it gathers the material and pushes itforward on the downward thrust of the knife." To permit the formation of plaits in the customary manner the present invention provides means for lifting the actuatingpawl 50 out of engagement with the outer ratchet Wheel 36b to an idling position as shown in Fig. 3. This is accomplished by means of a cam arm '6I having a cam edge 62 which engages a small roller 63 turning on a stud 63a on the actuating pawl 50. A stud bolt 64 secured to the base plate 3| protrudes through a slot 65 in the cam arm BI and supports it between a shoulder 6441 on the bolt and the washer 66. The stud bolt 64 also serves as the fixed pivot for one end of an intermediate link 61. The link 6'! also is connected to the forked end of a short connecting rod 68 which forms part of an eccentric strap member 69 surrounding a fixed eccentric I mounted on the main drive shaft 23. The cam arm BI is also connected to a pivoted lever I mounted for movement about a pivoting stud I6 secured to the base plate 3|. The upper end of the lever I5 is connected to a coil spring I1 which normally holds the lever I5 and cam arm 6| in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. A small cam plate 86 is mounted on the lever '55, as shown, said cam plate being provided on its inner face with a pin and roller 8| adapted to ride on the rim 83 of a selector mechanism. The latter is best seen in Fig. 8. When the roller is in contact with the rim 83, the parts of the spacing mechanism assume the operative position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, wherein the actuating pawl 58 is in engagement with the outer ratchet wheel 36b and causes the plaiting roller I3 to rotate.

The selector mechanism has an index head which includes a plurality of pins 86 shiftable into one of two positions by'the setting and resetting mechanism shown in Fig. 8. As seen in this figure, the pin 81 is in operative position and pin 86 is in inoperative position. Likewise, the

pins shown in Fig. 2 are in inoperative position,

and the pins shown in Fig. 3 are in operative position. When the pins 85, 81 are in operative position they engage the small cam plate 88 in the manner shown in Fig. 3 and displace the lever I5 as shown, causing the cam arm 6i to urge the actuating pawl 50 out of'engagement with the outer ratchet wheel 36b. This action prevents rotation of the plaiting roller and permits the formation of Crystal plaits in the customary manner.

In order to lock the plaiting roller I3 against continued rotation under the action of the plaiting knife sliding across its surface, the present invention also provides a locking pawl 95 which is pivoted at 9! to the base plate SI. The pivoting stud BI is surrounded by an eccentric bush-- ing 9Ia for magnifying the throw of the pawl 98. The locking pawl is also provided with a roller chain'bushing 92 which is suitably mounted on the free end of the locking pawl and which engages the lower edge of the lever I5. A leaf spring -94 attached to a post 93 mounted in the plate 3| normally urges the locking pawl into engagement with the inner ratchet wheel 36a. This ratchet wheel is provided with teeth of the type shown in Figs. 2 and 3 for locking the plaiting roller against rotation in the direction of thrust of the plaiting knife on its operative stroke. An auxiliary pawl 5'! serves to lock the plaiting roller from reverse rotation. When the cam plate 88 is not in contact with the pins 86, 8'! of I is provided with a stub shaft 96 which is pinned 'of

pins

86, 81.

to a boss in the base plate 3|. It has a hub 9'! mounted for rotation on the shaft 96, and a small ratchet wheel 98 which is fastened to the hub by means of screws 99. The small ratchet wheel 98 is spaced from the plate 3| by a small rocker plate I08. The hub has a peripheral shoulder I UI which in turn is provided with a plurality of holes I02 into which is slidingly fitted a plurality Each pin has a pair of peripheral notches H13, I84 for receiving an expansion garter spring I05. The garter spring is mounted in a peripheral slot in the rim 83. A bushing I06 is fastened to the shaft 96 by a set screw I01 and holds the small rocker I00, ratchet wheel 98 and hub 91 in assembled relation.

A hand crank I08 is mounted on the outer end of the stub shaft 96 and is adapted for'free rotation. The handle I89 of said crank is provided with a spring pressed plunger I I0 slidable therein, which normally assumes the position shown in Fig. 8. The plunger may be displaced inwardly within the limits of the pin and slot III for the purpose of shifting the position of the pin 81 to the position of the pin 86 in Fig, 8. All of the

pins

86, 81 may be restored to the position of pin 81 by means of the resetting mechanism shown. This mechanism comprises an annular plate IIZ which is slidable axially along the hub within the limits of the cut-out H3. The plate H2 is connected to a small hand knob II4 by means of a pair of screws II5. Each screw is provided with an encircling compression coil spring H6 which seats on shoulders III provided on the hub and also presses against the annular plate I I2. The hand knob H4 is manually slidable along the shaft 96 for the purpose of shifting all of the

pins

86, 81 to the position occupied by the pin 81 in Fig. 8,the coil springs II6 then restoring the knob H4 and plate II2 to the position illustrated in this figure.

The small rocker I00 is mounted for movement about the shaft 96 and is caused to reciprocate by a link I28 connected, through intermediate link 61 and connecting rod I58, to the eccentric mechanism 69, Ill. The small rocker I00 carries an actuating pawl I2I which engages the teeth of the small ratchet wheel 98 and imparts an intermittent rotative motion. The pawl I2I is urged into engagement with the ratchet by a leaf spring I22. The pawl I2I also is preferably provided with two segments offset one-half tooth from each other. It should be noted that the fixed eccentric I0 imparts a uniformly intermittent rotation to the index head (comprising the hub 91, pins 86, 81 and associated rotative parts) of the selector mechanism, without regard to the throw of the plaiting knife or the arc of rotation of the roller,both of which are adjustable.

The size of the plaits formed on the plaiting machine herein shown may be varied within certain limits by varying the effective stroke of the plaiting knife I 9. This is accomplished by means of a double eccentric mechanism best seen in Figs. 4 and 5. An inner eccentric I25 is secured to the main drive shaft 23 and rotates therewith. A second eccentric I26 of like throw surrounds the first eccentric and is connectable therewith by an axially movable pin or plunger I21. The second eccentric I26 has an annular flange i28 provided with a plurality of holes I29, I29a of a size to receive the pin I21. A boss I30 n the inner eccentric I25 has a bore I3I which accommodates the spring pressed plunger or pin I21 as shown. The plunger is manually movable outwardly against the action of the spring to disengage the two eccentrics.

When the eccentrics I25, I26 occupy the relative positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the plaiting knife receives its greatest throw. If the eccentrics are rotated relatively to each other and the pin inserted in hole I 29a, the eccentrics are slightly neutralized and the knife throw is correspondingly shortened. Any of the other holes on the flange I28 may be employed for further variation of the knife throw. The shortest throw would be obtained with the pin I2! in hole I291).

The are of rotation of the plaiting roller I3 on any one effective stroke of the rocker 40 may also be varied by means of an adjustable eccentric shown generally at 48 in Figs. 2 and 4. This eccentric comprises a T stud 46 which has a rectangular head I35 fitting into a slot formed in the body of the fixed eccentric I0 and movable therealong. The head I35 has a tapered hole therethrough which accommodates a screw I36. The body portion of the T stud protrudes through a slot I36a in an eccentric cap member I31 which fits thereover, said cap also having a pair of notched ears which surround the unthreaded ends of the screw and hold it in position. The cap in turn is fastened to the eccentric body 16 by means of screws not shown. The strap 45 on the upper end of the connecting rod 4| is provided with a bushing I38 which is keyed to it. The bushing provides a bearing surface for the body portion of the T stud as it rotates with the main drive shaft. A washer I39 and bolt I40 hold the parts in assembled relation. Each end of the screw I36 is provided with a screw-driver slot I4! for ease in making the adjustments.

It will be observed that the T stud 46 may be moved nearer or further away from the axis of the drive shaft merely by turning the screw I36. This will serve to lessen or increase the eccentricity of the drive and will, of course, impart a lesser or greater movement to the rocker plate 40. In this way the arc of rotation of the roller may be simply and easily varied by means of adjustments of the screw I36.

Operation When all of the

pins

86, 81 of the index head are in the position of pin 8'! in Fig, 8, they will successively engage the small cam plate 86 as the index head rotates and will urge the pivoted lever I to the position shown in Fig. 3. This in turn will cause the cam arm 6| to unseat actuating pawl 50. Simultaneously the locking pawl 90 will engage the inner ratchet wheel 36a. and hold the plaiting roller in non-rotative position. With this disposition of parts the Crystal plaiting machine herein described will function in the conventional manner and will form Crystal plaits as indicated at A in Fig. 9. When all of the

pins

86, 81 have been individually pressed inwardly by means of the hand crank I08 and spring plunger [I0 of the selector mechanism, so that the pins all occup the position of pin 86 in Fig, 8, the several parts of the spacing mechanism will occupy the relative positions shown in Fig. 2, and the cam plate 86 will ride idly along the shoulder IDI on the hub 91. In this position the locking pawl will be displaced out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 36a and the actuating pawl 50 will be brought into engagement with the ratchet wheel 36?). Hence, with each rotation of the main drive shaft the downward thrust of the large rocker 40 will be transmitted to the plaiting roller and the latter given an intermittent rotation.

If one-half of the pins on the index head, forming a semi-circle, should be pressed inwardly out of contact with the cam plate and the other half should remain in an operative position similar to that occupied by pin 61 in Fig. 8, on each rotation of the index head there will be a plaited section on the material and an unplaited space, providing the arc of rotation of the plaiting roller is at least equal to the throw of the plaiting knife. Of course, it remains within the province of the operator to select any variety of plaited and unplaited areas that he desires within the limits of the number of pins on the index head. In the preferred form of the invention the index head moves one pin or one tooth on ratchet wheel 98 with each rotation of the main drive shaft 23, while the plaiting knife is making one effective stroke; also the large rocker 40 will make one effective stroke with each rotation of the main drive shaft, and, each stroke will correspond to one pin on the index head.

As previously explained, to provide an unplaited space on the material it is necessary that the elfective throw of the plaiting knife I9 be no greater than the arc of rotation of the plaiting roller. As the adjustable double eccentric mechanism shown in Figs, 4 and 5 of the drawings and bearing reference numerals I25I3I affords means for varying the knife throw for varying the size of the plaits, it is necessary that the adjustable eccentric mechanism shown generally at 48 for the large rocker should also be varied by means of screw I36 to change the arc of rotation of the roller with each change in the size of plaits, if unplaited spaces are desired.

It is possible, of course, to obtain various other modified plaiting effects by changing the arc of rotation of the roller with relation to the throw of the plaiting knife, and one such effect would be small plaits between spaces if the knife throw exceeds slightly the arc of rotation of the roller. It will be understood that an extensive variety of plaiting effects can be obtained with various combinations of pin settings on the index head, eccentric adjustments of the knife, and rotation arc adjustments of the roller.

While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it; will be apparent that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

asaasac What I claim is:

1. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, and a mechanism for selectively, intermittently rotating said roller whereby to vary the relative movement between said knife and roller and thereby to vary the character of the plaiting operation.

'2. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting roller over Which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating with said roller for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for intermittently rotating H said roller in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife, and means for selectively controlling the rotation of the roller, whereby to vary the character of the plaiting operation.

3. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a 2

plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective move-. ment of the plaiting knife during the operation of the machine, and means for stopping the rotation of the roller at other times without stopping theplaiting operation.

4. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feedin said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, and a mechanism for at times rotating said roller in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife and through an arc of rotation approximating the effective knife throw, where by to prevent the formation of plaits while con tinuing the feeding operation.

5. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocating knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knife across a portion of the roller in one direction, and a mechanism cooperating with said plaiting roller for intermittently rotating it at times in one direction in timed relation to the reciprocations of the plaiting knife whereby to vary the relative movement between said knife and roller and thereby to vary the character of the plaiting operation.

6. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knife across said roller, means for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife, and a selector mechanism for automatically bringing said rotation means into and out of operative connection with said surface of said roller, whereby to vary the relative movement between said knife and roller and thereby to vary the character of the plaiting operation.

7. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by means of the relative movement of said knife across said roller, means for rotating said roller at times in the direction of elfective movement of the plaiting knife, means for arrest ing rotation of said roller at other times, and a selector mechanism for automatically bringing one of said rotation means and said arresting means into and out of operative connection with said roller.

8. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the movement of the plaiting knife across a portion of the surface of said roller in one direction, means for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife, means for arresting the rotation of said roller at other times, a selector mechanism for automatically bringing one or the other of said arresting means and rotation means into operative relation with the plaiting roller, and means for simultaneously rendering the other of said arresting means and rotation means inoperative.

9. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non feeding plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knife across said roller, means for rotating said roller attimes in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife, a selector mechanism for automatically bringing said rotation means into and out of operative connection with said roller, and a variable means on said selector for varying the period of operative connection of the rotation means and roller.

10. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocating plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller in one direction, means for rotating said roller at times in the direction of the effective stroke of the plaiting knife, means for arresting the rotation of said roller at other times, a variable selector mechanism for automatically bringing one or the other of said rotation means and said arresting means into operative connection with the plaiting roller, and means on said variable selector for varying the period of operative connection of both said arresting means and rotation means with the plaiting roller,

11. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocating plaitin knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller in one direction, means for rotating said roller at times in the direction of the effectivestroke of the plaiting knife, means for arresting the rotation of said roller at other times, a variable selector mechanism for automaticaliy bringing one or the other of said rotation means and said arresting means into operative connection with the plaiting roller, and manualiy operable means for varying said selector whereby to vary the period of operative connection of both said arresting means and rotation means with the plaiting roller.

12. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for rotating said roller at times in the direction of the effective movement of the plaiting knife, and means for selectively varying the arc of rotation of said roller.

13. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocating plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller in one direction, means for selectively varying the throw of said plaiting knife to vary the size of the plaits formed thereby, a mechanism cooperating with said plaiting roller for intermittently rotating it at times in one direction in timed relation to the reciprocations of the plaiting knife, and means for selectively varying the arc of rotation of said plaiting roller on each intermittent movement thereof.

14. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocating plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller in one direction, a drive shaft with a first eccentric mechanism thereon for reciprocating the plaiting knife, a second eccentric mechanism on said shaft, means operable by said second eccentric mechanism for intermittently rotating said roller at times in the direction of the effective stroke of the plaiting knife and in timed relation thereto to vary the relative movement between said knife and roller, and means for selectively varying the eccentricity of each said eccentric, whereby to vary the effective stroke of the knife and the arc of each intermittent rotation of the roller.

15. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife to vary the relative movement between said knife and roller while continuing the feeding operation, said mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and a pawl movable by said rocker, and means for selectively bringing said pawl into operative engagement with the ratchet wheel to rotate said roller, whereby to vary the character of the plaiting operation.

16. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller, over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife comprising a ratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and an actuating pawl movable by said rocker, means for arresting rotation of said roller at other times comprising a second ratchet Wheel connected to said roller and a pivoted locking pawl movable into engagement therewith, and a selector mechanism for automatically bringing one of said pawls into operative connection with its ratchet wheel while simultaneously moving the other of said pawls out of operative engagement.

17. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller, over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife comprising a ratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and an actuating pawl movable by said rocker, means for arresting rotation of said roller at other times comprising a second ratchet wheel on said roller and a pivoted locking pawl movable into engagement therewith, a pivoted lever member adapted automatically to move one of said pawls into operative connection with its ratchet wheel and simultaneously to move the other of said pawls out of operative engagement, and a selector mechanism having variable cam means thereon for moving said lever to vary the period of operative engagement of each said pawl.

18. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, means for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife, means for arresting rotation of said roller at other times, and a selector mechanism comprising a rotative index head having a plurality of axially and individually movable pins therein serving as cam means for automatically moving said rotation means and said arresting means into and out of operative connection with said roller.

19. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, means for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife, means for arresting rotation of said roller at other times, and a selector mechanism comprising a rotative index head having a plurality of axially and individually movable pins therein serving as cam means for automatically moving said rotation means and said arresting means into and out of operative connection with said roller, and a manually operable setting and resetting mechanism for selectively varying the relative positions of said pin to vary their cam action.

20. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a plaiting roller, over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging said material and plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of the knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a, mechanism for rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife comprising a ratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and an actuating pawl movable by said rocker, means for arresting rotation of said roller at other times comprising a second ratchet wheel on said roller and a pivoted locking pawl movable into engagement therewith, a pivoted lever member adapted on displacement to move one of said pawls into operative connection with its ratchet wheel and simultaneously to move the other of said pawls out of operative engagement, and a selector mechanism comprising a rotative index head having a plurality of axially and individually movable pins therein serving as cam means for selectively displacing said pivoted lever to vary the period of operative engagement of each said pawl.

21. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding plaiting roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a reciprocating plaiting knife cooperating therewith for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same, adjustable eccentric means for said knife for selectively varying its efiective throw, means for intermittently rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of said knife comprising a ratchet wheel on said roller, a reciprocating rocker and a pawl movable by said rocker, an adjustable eccentric mechanism for reciprocating said rocker and for varying the arc of each intermittent movement thereof, and a selector mechanism comprising a uniformly intermittently rotated index head having variable cam means thereon for selectively bringing said pawl into and out of operative connection with the ratchet wheel, whereby to vary the character of the plaiting operation.

22. In a plaiting machine, in combination, a non-feeding roller over which material to be plaited is adapted to pass, a plaiting knife cooperating with said roller for engaging and feeding said material and for plaiting the same by the action of the relative movement of said knife across a portion of the surface of said roller, a mechanism for intermittently rotating said roller at times in the direction of effective movement of the plaiting knife to vary the relative movement between said knife and roller While continuing the feeding operation, and a selector mechanism comprising a rotative index head having a plurality of axially and individually movable pins therein adapted to act as cam means for bringing said roller rotation mechanism into and out of operative connection with said roller, and means for intermittently rotating said index head comprising a ratchet thereon, a reciprocating rocker, and a pawl engaging said ratchet and movable by said rocker.

JOHN J. CAHILL.