US2335487A

US2335487A - Multiple needle tufting machine

Info

Publication number: US2335487A
Application number: US375716A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joe C Cobble; George B Muse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1941-01-24
Filing date: 1941-01-24
Publication date: 1943-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 1960-11-30

Description

Nov. 30, .1943- J. c.-coBBLE :s1-Al.a 2,335,487

, MULTIPLE NEEDLE TUFTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTUP( A rToRNEr Nov. 30, 1943. J. c. cQBBLE P :TAL

MULTIPLE NEEDLE TUFTING MACHINE v-Filed Jan. 24, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet '5 IN VEN TOR Joe. C. Cobble Geo. B. Musk- BY A TTOR N E Nov. 30, 1943. J. c. coBBLE ETAL MULTIPLE NEEDLE TUFTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 24, 1941.

INVENTUR le Geo B Muse Joe C. Cobb BY a ATToRNEY Patented Nov. 30, 1943 MULTIPLE NEEDLE TUFTING MACHINE Joe C. Cobble, Chattanooga, Tenn., and George B.

Muse, Sugar Valley, Ga.

Application January 24, 1941, Serial No. 375,716

Z Claims.

Our invention relates to tufting machines and more particularly to tufting machines for simultaneously forming a series of tufted rows of stitches in a fabric or backing.

Heretofore in making tufted bed spreads, rugs, and mats wherein a great many parallel lines are employed to set in the background, after which flowers or other designs may be superimposed upon them, it has been the practice to form these parallel lines by a series of operations of a single or double needle machine progressively traversing or scanning the backing until the desired surface is covered. These many operations greatly increase the time required to make the article and consequently the resulting cost of production. Furthermore, the distance between the rows of stitches varies over a widerange according to the judgment of the operator and uniformity is accordingly diilicult or impossible to attain.

It is true that some efforts have been made to provide a multiple needle tufting machine to accomplish these purposes. However, the number of needles possible in those cases was limited by the load the needle bar was able to take and was further limited by the fact that no effective feeding means had been developed to serve more than a few needles, and no means had been provided for keeping the cloth spread out taut while being severing ldevices acting in synchronism and actuated from a single shaft for catching the loops in the successive rows to clip them and form tufts.

Applicants have as a still further object of their invention the provision of a multiple needle machine which automatically and continuously feeds long sections of cloth therethrough and forms tufts therein.

Other objects and advantages of our invention will appear in the following specification and accompanying drawings andthe novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the. 'annexed claims.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a front elevation of our improved machine. Fig. 2 is an elevation of one end of the same machine. Fig. 3 is a detail of the worky feed mechanism for progressively moving the fabric through our machine. Fig. 4 is a fragmental elevation of the opposite end of said machine. Fig. 5 is a fragmental cross sectional view taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail te the drawings showing the preferred embodiment of our invention I 4 and 2, 3y designate the spaced standards comprising the ends ofthe frame of our improved machine bridged at their lower ends by bases Il), I0 formed from oppositely 'disposed angle irons providing sockets between them for reception of the lower fedvto the machine in order to insure vthat the lines of tufts would be uniformly spaced and to keep the cloth from becoming clogged up and torn in the machine. It will be apparent, of course, that such a problem is not serious in single or double needle machines for the operator can keep the cloth spread out taut with her hands over the small area being sewed.

Applicants with a knowledge of all these defects in and objections tc the prior art have-for an object of their invention the provision of a multiple needle tufting machine which is capable of forming the entire background of parallel lines in a single operation.

Applicants have as another object of their invention the provision of a multiple needle tufting machine having a feed mechanism for progressively passing a whole section of cloth through the machine and forming tufts in it.

Applicants havel as `another object of their invention the provision of a plural needle tufting machine having a mechanism for spreading a section of cloth as it is fed to the machine for tufting.

Applicants have as a further object of their invention the provisionof a plural needle tufting machine having a plurality of loop holding and ends of

standards

2, 3 and 6,'4. 'Joining the upper 1 ends of standards I, 4 and 2, 3 are angle irons H8, IIB. Bridging the end s of the frame adjalcent their upper extremities are front and rear frame members 6, 'I of angular configuration which rest upon the .angle irons H8, [I8 at their ends. l

ries of spaced

bearings

26, 26 carried by angles H8, IIB, I2I, IZI, bridging the front and

rear frame

6, 1, and extending longitudinally of the frame and on beyond its ends is a drive shaft 24 having a pulley 22 mounted thereon for coaction with a plurality of V belts 2l (in the present case three) for transmitting power from a source of power I9 through pulley 20 and shaft 25 to the drive shaft 24.

The source of power I9 may either be an A. C.' or D. C. motor of preferably other than the'A. C. synchronous type. The motor is supported 'on a plate IIB through bolts |20 carried by one or more supports I8 of angular conflguri'ttiony joined 4 to standards 2, 3 preferably adjacent their upper ends.

Mounted on the drive shaft 24 at intervals are a. series of spaced eccentrics 3|, 3l. Carried by Mounted on the frame and supported in a seeach of 'these eccentrics 3I is a needle bar` actuating rod 32 being joined to the eccentric through a split bearing which encircles the outer surface thereof and includes a strap portion 30 joined to the rod through conventional studs.

Mounted on the end of drive shaft 24 near pulley T22 is a wheel 23 to turn it by hand. Mounted on the drive shaft 24 on the other side of pulley 22 is an eccentric 29 carrying a rod 21 mounted similarly to rods 32 heretofore described. This rod is joined through a rocker arm54 to supplemental shaft 55. Mounted on the outer face of arm 5d through screws 84, I 64, carried by it and coasting with recesses formed in the ends thereof is a strap I62.

Mounted adjacent the opposite end of shaft 2.1i`

is a pulley H55 for transmitting power through a belt lill to pulley 488 which rotates shaft 48. Mounted on the end of shaft 24 adjacent pulley 66 is an eccentric 29 which carries rod 28 through a bearing and strap 38 identical to those heretofore described. The opposite end of rod 28 forms'a bearing for'rotatably mounting pivot pin 51 which may be rigidly secured .in adjusted position in' slot 59 by a.v screw thread and nut connection or otherwise to rocker arm 58 mounted on supplemental shaft 55 by means of set screws 66.

Bridging standards

3, 4 and I, 2 intermediate their ends and secured thereto are

work support members

8, 9 of an angular configuration overlapped by a throat plate 44 extending-along the entire length of the support members, and having needle slots therein.

Positioned beneath the work support is the supplemental shaft 55 mounted in end bracket bearings 6I having ears vforresting upon the upper surface of transverse supports I1, I1 forming part of the frame and bridging standards 2, 3 and I, 4 and joined to them. The brackets 6I, 6I being secured to the supports I1, I1 by studs 62 passing through the brackets and screw threaded into the supports. I Mounted in spaced relation along the supplemental shaft 55 are' a series of llocpers, the lowerl ends of whose arms are divided into yopposite clamping

portions

82, 83 joined throughstuds.V

84 'which freely pass through `strap portion' Vl` and Iscrew thread into portion 82 for rigidly clamping the looper about supplemental shaft55.

The looper arm is comprised of adjustable inem--l bers 82,1'1;`the portion 82 having a longitudinalv groove 8| extending upwardly therealongv fforl reception of a longitudinal rib formed on the inner `face of portion 11.` The upper portion 11 having aflongitudinal slot formed therein to' permitlthe free passage of screw 19, which threads into the lower portion 82, to lock the upper portion 11in adjusted position, thereby permitting the looper. to bemoved with respect to the work support to vary the length of the nap of the tufts, and for other purposes. To the upper end of upper member 11 is secured a vhook 15 of hardened steel through screws 16 (one of the screws being omitted for clarity) which pass4 through openings in the hook portion andcoact with screwy threaded openings intheuppermember 11. The hook 15 isof hardened metal, has a shoulder adjacent its free fend to prevent removal pf the loops and l cutting edgefxtending rearwardly therefrom to coact with abutting edge von' the cutter. 'Ihe hook 15Ais yaccordingly removable ,andreplaceabla Exedrfls rearwardly from.' the' yupper part .0f the upper'member 11 is a' portion having an opening therethrough for the reception of a pivot bolt assurer 1I for pivotally supporting a cutter having a forwardly exten ding arm terminating in a socket for the reception of a blade 12 having an enlarged slanting upper cutting edge for coaction with the cutting edge of the hook 15. The blade 12 is adjustably mounted in the socket by means of the slot 13 in the cutter arm and the screw 14 passing freely therethrough and seating in a screw threaded opening in blade 12. Upon loosening the screw 14 the blade may be moved up and down into adjusted position, since the slot I3 permits free movement of the screw 'I therein. The cutter also has a depending portion 18 joined to a link 61, through a pivot screw 69 carried by the lower depending portion.

Depending from the lower surface of member 8 at intervals therealong are supports 63 and bridging the supports 63, B3 extending along the -length of the machine and secured thereto is a block 64 for mounting a series of spaced slidably adjustable fingers 65 by means of screws 6B pass ing through slots in these ngers, and. their ends are joined to links 61 by screws 68. ,The free ends of the fingers are turned downwardly for gripping to facilitate adjustment of the fingers when the screws 56 are loosened.

Tensioning the cutter against the looper is a spring loop having one end seated in a recess in the cutter and the other end seated' in a recess in the looper.

Positioned above the work support or bed plate and in spaced relation to each other are a series of needle bars 35, 35 carried by a channel member 5 bridging the

rear standards

3, 4 of the frame and carried by them. Spaced brackets 36, y36, one above the other, bolted on member 5, by bolts 31, serve as bearings for each needle bar 35 and permit its reciprocation therein. The upper end of each needle bar 35 is joined to a cor# responding rod 32 by a pivot pin having a shank II2 which acts vas a pivot and a shoulder II3 on its outer end-which serves as an abutment, the end of the shank II 2 terminates in a split socket 33 with portions adapted to be clamped about' the needle bar by means of a clamping bolt 34. The oppositefendl of the needle bar 35 is joined to av needle yblock 'which bridges the various 'needie bars andvhas longitudinal bores formed centrally therein providing a socket beneath each needle bar-to receive ya needle 40 and having a set screw"`-;39 seated transversely therein for clamping each needle 40 in its socket. To one side or in front of each needle socket is a second longitudinal bore 38 to permit the free passage of thread therethrough.

Suspended from channel member 5 by means of a plurality of spaced

straps

42, 42 is a presser foot 4I having a'plurality of spaced openings to permit the, free and ready passage of needles 40 therethrough. Each strap 42 has a slot therein `for reception of a mounting screw 43 for seating the channel member 5 in order to permit relative movement of the strap upon loosening of the screw 43, the walls of the slot being movable on the bolt 43.

lMounted on and projecting rearwardly from the lower flange of channel member 5 are a series of supporting' brackets 90 v'joined thereto through ,studs-|80 and terminating 'at their free ends 1n bearings or other appropriate means for xedly supporting bar 91.

Mounted on bar 91 in spaced relation are a series'ofrings 98 disposed about the bar and locked thereto by set screws 99. Each' of the rings 98 carries a spring nger 89, preferably one to each needle, which terminates in a curved end for frictional rubbing engagement with the periphery of a disk 8S having angularly projecting teeth.

Mounted on the rear projections of the transverse supports Il are upstanding bearings 81, Bi joined to the supports Il through

studs

38, 88. Rotatably mounted in these bearings is feed shaft 8e. .ilreely rotatable on shaft 85 is arm SI carlying a pawl 94 pivoted thereon at 92 and pressed by spring d3, extending about the pivot, 92 and seated in the arm 9i with the free end 'thereof pressing upon the upper edge of the nger 94, into engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel Q also mounted on shaft 85. The arm di, intermediate its ends, is pivotally joined through link itl to arm 54, H12 by pivots S6, H13. As heretofore indicated disks 86 are mounted in spaced relation on feed shaft 85 through set screws Iii and turn with that shaft. Mounted beneath the ratchet wheel 95 on standard 3 by means of bracket IBS is a retarding finger or pawl 105 pivoted on pin It? on bracket 106 and spring pressed or otherwise urged into yielding engagement with wheel 95.

On the front projections of transverse members I'I, Il are mounted bearings 41, 4'I which carry the shaft d2, heretofore referred to. Carried by the shaft 48 and extending substantially the whole distance between

bearings

41, 41 is a roller i8 having formed on its outer surface oppositely directed sets of

helical ribs

50, 50 which terminate in a point of intersection 5I at substantially the center of the roller 49.

Situated in front of the frame is a seat I I supported by arms I2, i2 extending horizontally forward from the standards I, 2 at points below the bed plate. Extending down diagonally from the horizontal arms i2, I2 to the standards l, 2 are braces i3, i3 which are joined both 'to the arms i2, l2 and the standards i, 2. Bridging the arms i2, I2 of the seat is a cloth guide 52, and positioned beneath the seat is a stand I4 carrying a cloth guide 53. The stand has supporting sides I5, i5 with 'a cover I4 over it. The guide rod bridges the sides at the inner end, and the inner ends of the sides are preferably positioned between the angle irons of the base I@ of the frame.

The cloth M6 is carried in the roll H4 on shaft llt and is preferably paid on of the roll onto the door where it then passes up under cloth guides 53, 53 and then over roll "i9 which ordinarily rotates in a counterclockwise direction and acts as a spreader. The cloth then passes across the work support or bed plate and throat plate iid, between the feeding disks 86 and the spring iingers SS, and back to the floor.

The thread III is fed to the needles through openings in projection iIil on the cross member then down through the conventional tensioning devices m9 which consist of spring pressed opposed plates that receive the yarn and resist its movement. Then it passes down under thread guide 45, which is a bar extending across the front of the machine and supported on standards i, 2, and on through bore 38 and then to` the needle 4i).

There may be many appropriate braces for the frame such as that designated it,

In its operation the drive'shat 24 receives its power from source i9, which, viewed from the source of .power end, causes it to rotate in a counterclcckwise direction imparting a counterclockwise rotation to shaft 48, an oscillating movement to supplemental shaft 55, and an intermittent clockwise rotation to feed shaft 85 when viewed from the same end.

The fabric or backing Ii is manually paid ofi' of roll lift bn to the floor, is passed about guides :'13, 52 and over spreader de across the bed plate or work support into engagement with the teeth of disks et and between the disks 86 and the resilient fingers d@ that urge the fabric into intimate, interlocking engagement with the disks 86 so that thus anchored the fabric HS is progressively moved across the bed plate of the machine, and onto the door on the other side.

The rotation of drive shaft 2d and in turn eccentrics 3l causes the needle bar actuating rods 32 to reciprocate the needles 4c up and down through the fabric il. as it moves across the bed plate in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. .as the needles pass down through the fabric ile they carry with them the strands of yarn H6. Upon reaching the lowermost positionof their stroke and again starting their upward movement, slack develops in the strands of yarn. The supplemental shaft 55 then oscillates to swing the loopers toward the needles 40 and pass their hooks 'I5 between the needles and their strands of yarn and catch them to form loops. The cycle is again repeated and a sec;- ond loop is thrown on the hook so that as the needle is drawn up out of the fabric it is moved through the machine by the feeding disks 8S and fingers 89. The supplemental shaft 55 oscillates back in the opposite direction swinging the loopers back out of the planes of the'paths of the needles lid, whichl movement results in the cutters being swung about their pivots II and the blade i2 being brought into cutting relation with the louper hoclts 'i5 clipping the innermost loops to form piles. This 'operation is repeated over and over again to forni rows oi stitches.

lt will be noted that the spreading roller 149 which acts on the cloth before it reaches the needles d@ rotates the two sets of opposed continuous helical ribs which engage the cloth and tend to spreadit from the center towards either outer edge thus removing the wrinkles and holding it smooth and stretched out taut as it passes under the needles 40. This :insuresv that the rows of stitches formed in the fabric will be straight and uniform and prevents the possibility of clogging of the cloth in the machine and the possibility of tearing or injuring thereof.

It will also be understood that the presser foot may be adjusted towards and away from the fabric by loosening the screws 33 and permitting the straps 42 and the walls of their slots to move causes it to indes` with those teeth and to intermittently rotate the ratchet wheel 95 and feed shaft B5, their movement being synchronized with the needles d `to take place when such needles'are up 'out of the fabric. The toothed disks d@ being keyed to the shaft by means of set screws il? move with it. The teeth on these disks being turned in the direction of their rotation and away from the needles 40 and from the backward force of resistance created by the friction of the backing H6, anchor themselves in the cloth and move it through the machine. In order to insure close contact of the backing l or fabric H6 with the teeth of the disks 86 the resilient fingers 89 yieldably urge the fabric against the outer periphery of these disks 86 and their tension may be adjusted by loosening the set screw, rotating the ring, and then tightening it again. By yieldably holding the cloth or backing I I6 against the surface of disks 86 over a substantial periphery thereof With the curled ends of fingers 89 ample force is provided for moving it through the machine and any great positive backward forcewill not result in tearingy ter pivoted thereon intermediate its ends and having its lower end 'l0 joined to a fixed point, to impart a swinging movement to the cutter in the opposite direction to that of the looper, there by bringing them into cutting relation, and it should be pointed out that the throat plate 44 has the usual large and/r elongated needle slots therein to facilitate the removal of the tufts after they are formed, as Well as the fact that the openings in the body of the hook portion of the looper through which the screws 16 are enlarged permit some adjustment of the looper with respect thereto and alter the cooperation and relation of looper to cutter for changing the movement of uncut loops and the time of severance in forming the piles. Of course, this may also be controlled and altered to some extent by the adjustment of blade l2 in its socket by loosening screw 14 and moving it in the slot 13.

It will also be understood that applicants invention is not limited to the use of a ratchet wheel andpawl for actuating the -feed mechanism but that any other appropriate means for producing the intermittent motion may also be em, ployed. Applicants have in mind particularly that an over-running clutch mechanism may be substituted for the ratchet wheel and pawl, which has actually been tried andfproven to be successful in one of applicants machines, and is probably preferable to the ratchet mechanism disclosed in the preferred embodiment of applicants invention by the drawings herein,

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A multiple needle tufting machine of the character described comprising work feed means for progressively moving a fabric through the machine including'a series of toothed disks over which the fabric is trained, yeldable fingers for pressing the fabric into gripping engagement with the teeth of said disks, a series of reciproeating needles for passing strands of yarn down through the fabric to form loops, means positioned beneath the fabric to catch and hold the loops, and means for cooperation with the loop holding means to sever the loops and form tufts.

2. A multiple needle tufting machine of the character described comprising Work feed means for progressively moving a fabric through the machine including a. series of disks having ratchet teeth on their peripheries over which the fabric is trained, spring fingers partially surrounding the peripheries of said disks adapted to yieldably hold the fabric in gripping engagement with the teeth of the disks, a series of reciprocating needles for passing strands of yarn down through the fabric to form loops, means positioned beneath the fabric to catch and hold the loops and means for cooperation with the loop holding means to sever the loops and form tufts.

JOE C. COBBLE. GEORGE B. MUSE.