US2575327A

US2575327A - Carpet sewing machine

Info

Publication number: US2575327A
Application number: US3914A
Authority: US
Inventors: Merwin F Ashley; Edward W Fearing
Original assignee: United Shoe Machinery Corp
Current assignee: United Shoe Machinery Corp
Priority date: 1948-01-23
Filing date: 1948-01-23
Publication date: 1951-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 1968-11-20

Description

Nov. 20, 1.951 M. F. ASHLEY ETAL CARPET SEWING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 23, 1948 8 e 9 rum m wnm a w b 1 -rnF m f e V Q HK v w e 1 n r w m w mm a Nov. 20, 1951 M. F. ASHLEY ETAL 2,575,327

CARPET SEWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1948 9 SheetsSheet 2 Inventors Merwin F AshLay Edward W FarLrLg Bi their Attorney 1951 M. F. ASHLEY ET AL CARPET SEWING MACHINE Filed ,Jan. 25, 1 948 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventors Merwin FAShZe Edward W Far'i Nov. 20, 1951 M. F. ASHLEY ETAL 2,575,327

CARPET SEWING MACHINE 7 Filed Jan. 23, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inu entors Merwin E f Ashley Edward W Fearing By their Attorney Gama 6,311

1951 M. F. 'ASHLEY 'EIAL' CARPET SEWING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 23, 1948 Inventors Mezwm F Ashley 5; ihezr AHorneZ Nov. 20, 1951 M. F. ASHLEY EI'AL 2, 7

CARPET SEWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1948 9 .Sheets-Sheet e In ven tors wMe-rwin FAshley Edward WF-aring By their Atzorney I 1951 M. F. ASHLEY ETAL. 2, 7

- CARPET SEWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 v 3 I Q 4 v e nuentors'.

' lverwl nF Ashl Edward Fe'an'ng By i'heir/Iiiorney Nqv. 20, 1951 M. F. ASHLEY ETAL 2,575,327

CARPET SEWING MACHINE I Filed Jan. 23, 1948 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 lnverzbfions Mr'wiryFAShZe-y Edward WRarz'ng iheirAizorne- Patented Nov. 20, 1951 CARPET SEWING MACHINE Merwin F. Ashley, Arlington, and Edward W. Fearing, Quincy, Mass., assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington', N. J acorporation of New Jersey Application January 23, 1948, Serial No. 3,914,

48 Claims.

The present invention relates to sewing machines constructed and arranged to connect strips of carpet material disposed in a loose preliminaryfashion upon a floor surface as a ste in laying" the carpet permanently over a large area and more particularly to an ambulant machine The usual 'method of laying and sewing car- Y pets is to provide strips cut with the proper lengths and with designs to match, sufficient in number to cover the floor to be carpeted. When large areas are being carpeted these strips have heretofore been sewntogether wholly'by hand along their meeting edges with' a'workman in sitting position between separated portions of the V edges, the bulk of the carpet being too massive for convenient transportation in a single united piece. As the sewing progresses the workman inches himself along while holding the edges raised from the floor sufficiently to allow manipulation of a needle at the underside of the carpet. At best the work is a slow tedious hand process, requiring special skill and onerous muscular effort on the part of the workman. To avoid the trouble and expense of hand sewing, resort is;

sometimes made to the useof adhesive-tape for attaching carpet edges together. The use of ad-- hesive tape suficiently heavy to fasten the carpet together, however, may cause the edges to.v

bulge or to form unsightly ridges or may not be durable. At best all the operations of such processes are manual and are subject to irregularities. Also, for acceptable results expert and experienced workmanship are required.

To reduce as much as possible a reliance on manual operations, carpet strips have heretofore been sewn together by a machine having a guide rail to which the carpet edges are clamped and along which a frame carrying the sewing mechanisms moves. Guide railmachines, besides being of heavy cumbersome construction, require clamping the carpet edges in registering relation so that a flat position cannot be maintained on a floor surface. After sewing the carpet edges in registering relation they are opened out to bring them into fiat abutting relation. The movement of carpet strips in this way requires special handling and subjectsthe stitches and carpet to ex- 9 cessive strains before it islaid on the floor surface. a A V The objects of the present invention are toreduce to a minimum all manual operations in laying carpets, handling of the carpet material being avoided other than laying strips upon a floor surface in approximate positions at which they are to rest and to provide a machine which will; be subject to accurate control by an inexperienced operator while attaching the edges of an as, jacent pair of flexible 'strips. of material together securely in abutting relation, the production of visible irregularities being avoided and a seam being inserted comparing favorably in uniformity of appearance with the highest quality of hand sewn work. Other objectspf the invention are to simplify-and improve sewing and fastening machines of the typewhich are movable over stationary work piec'es-to -secure the work piecestogether and to provide a machine by which car pets and other heavy material of large area may be sewn together conveniently and securely in I the positions in which they are to lie permanently. 7 h V V a a In the illustrated embodiment of the inven tion an ambulant fastening machine is arranged to traversefreely in a progressive manner. along a supporting surface between two strips of carpet or other flexible-sheet material disposed with their edges inabutting relation and with their tread surfaces up, said machine having ashallow, base shaped for raising the edges from the sup porting surface to. enable the base to pass-be: tween them and a completeset of fastening' and feeding devices mounted wholly in said basetg apply fastenings atthe supporting-surface side j to the raised portions of the sheet material. hereinafter described the fastening 'devicesare;, actuated by mechanisms projecting from the base which preferably is wedge shaped and has a trail: ing .end of tapering thickness, within which are mounted connections spaced fromthe point of; application of the fastenings in line with the edges of the sheet-mate rial. In the illustrated form of this feature a narrow column is provided along the mid-section of the base surrounding the connections and forms a mounting for the actuating m echanis.'ms.- V V 7 The invention also includescertain novel con-.- structions, combinations, and arrangement of, parts hereinafter described and claimed, as for, e a ov mea s raw n the tr ps dsewise toward each other;at thepoint-of fastening operations, a trough formationin; the base Wiilli in which the fastening devices operate and other; features, the advantages of which will be appar-; ent to those skilledin the art from the following description taken in connectionwith the accom panying drawings which illustrate a specific em= bodiment of the several features of the invention.

Re r i atp We rawi s -I a,

the machine illustrated in Fig. la with parts broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of the ma; chine of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 3a is a fragmentary View of a cam employed in the machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plangview of the base of the ach ne:

Fig. '5' is a partial lengthwise section of the taperingtrailing end of the base of the machine;

Fig. 6' is a detailview on an enlarged scale talg'enalong the line VI-Vl? of'Fig.

Fig. 7 is a detail view taken along the line vii-v11 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of the parts illustrated in Fig. 7; r

Fig. 9- is a sectional view of the base taken along the line IX-IX of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 1s a sectional detail view of a driven carpet feed roll taken along the line X-X of Fig. 9; I

Fig. 11 is a similar view taken from the right side of the parts shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view of the presser footjactuating mechanism of the machine taken along theline XIL-JCII of'Fig. 1;

Figs; 13 and 14' are detail views illustrating a manner of" stitch formation in the machine, Fig. 13- showing the step of tightening the looper thread and Fig. 14 the step of' tightening the needle thread;

Fig. 15 is an end view of a seam inserted by the machine including a tape reenforcement applied during sewing;

Fig. 16 is a sectionalview on an enlarged scale taken along the line XVIXVI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 17 is'a similar view on a" further enlarged scale'taken along the line XVII-XVII of- Fig. l as seen from a plane passing through the sewing point;

Fig. 18 is a similar view taken along the line XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 5; and

Fig". 19 is a plan view of an enlarged scale of the tapered trailing-end; of-the base of the ma' v chine with the cover for the stitch forming devices removed.

The illustrated machine is intended primarily forfastening operations upon adjacent strips of carpet material presented tread side up to eliminate most of the hand sewing or other handlingwork in laying carpets, with close and accurate control afforded to an operator both in applying fastenings in the form of a continuous thread seam and in pulling the edges of the-carpet strips edgewise together in a progressive manner during the sewing operation. For this purpose themachine is constructed in a readilyambulant material. Thus. after finishing the sewing operation; no further adjustments'or'onerous effort are required to bring the completed carpetinto the desired position along the floor surface.

In preparing for a sewing operation, strips ofcarpet are laidwith their edges inapproximate abutting relation over the entire floor area to becarpeted. The machine is motor driven and sub;- ject to manual propulsion through a pair of con- 4 trol handles 2 and 4 which permit the operator to assume an upright posit nap which he can observe closely the sewing operations on the edges of a pair of abutting carpet strips. The handles 2 and 4 rise from a flat bottomed base 8 on which the mechanisms for the machine are mounted, With the illustrated machine the car- 'pet strips will; be matched for alinement of designs as in handsewing and the machine will be inserted between theedges of the strips as closely as possible to" the strip ends, the machine facing away-from the ends. The base both raises and separates the edges in advance of the point of operation and then they are brought positively into abutting relation at the point of sewing operation.

To enable the edges of abutting carpet stripsto be raised by the machine'without disturbin the positions of the strips alongthe floor-surface;

indicated at 8, on which the strips lie, according I not extend the full length of the base. and the;

ed s fr ew arpe r ne. o era edupon ex en alone he es h c lumns. he w d h f t ecolumn a vers y he, arn t str v e e s made sufficiently small to fit between the sepa-. rated edges of the strips as they areraised from the floor surface by t e, a taturasseetm them excessivekvv Or requiring edgewise movement, of the carpet strips along the floor surface to bring them thereafter 'int o edge abutting "relanon." With such 'dimensionsf'the base and column pass between the" separated edges} as the stitch forming devices operate 'at a point spaced along the carpet edges from the column in line with the direction of progress along thecarpet edges. The trailing, end of the base contains within it all the elements of a complete set of stitch forming devices necessary to form a seam at the supporting floor surface; side of'thecarpet strips and has a tapering thickness projecting to the rear of the column to; enable the carpetstrips to be brought downwardly together into line with the stitch-formingdevices-at the point ofoperation thereof and finally against the'floor' surface without the formation of bulgesorextreme'curvatures in the carpet material as the base moves-between thematerial and the floor surface. Thebase 6 slidesalongthefioor; s .1r.-.v face at its trailing. endand its weight is supported by. anti-friction casters H. at. its. leading; end (see Fig. 1).

For assistance in propelling the edgesof. the.

carpet strips inthe novelmachine it is fedrela; lytothe b insca net d s by. ower; om h o or. rive, ur n ewmatbe. a et ed s.-

ins drawn, to nd. al ne" he, id o a.

V with the trough l2.

blind with the chain of the seam exposed at the underside of one strip of carpet and the single thread exposed along the. underside of the other strip. During operation of the stitch forming devices the carpet edges are held clamped within the trough by a presser foot l8 consisting ofa pointed block screwed to a yoke 20,,riveted to the ends of a pair of parallel arms 22 rotatable at their rearward ends about a pin 524 passing horizontally through the column; I

Cooperating withthe presser foot 58 in clamping the abutting carpet edges immovably against each other close to the sewing point, to feed the edges after each stitch is inserted and to assist in drawing the edges toward each other and away from the column l into firm engagementwith the centering fin on the plate i6,.the base is pro: vided along the sides of the trough l2 in advance of the sewing point with a pair of angular oppo sitely disposed guideways 26 within the plate It and the shell of the base for receiving apair ot roughened carpet engaging feed slides 23 having their forward ends approaching closely to the sewing point. The angularly disposed guideways cause the feed slides 28 to move in converging paths toward the sewing point, producing a drawing action on the carpet edges toward each other as they are fed.

Cooperating with the roughened portions of the feed slides to feed the carpet edges are a pair of: yieldingly mounted feed feet at in the form of blocks secured to the lower ends of a hairpinshaped spring 32 having a sleeve 34 clamped by a bolt 36 between the central portions of its arms. The sleeve 34 is loosely received on openings at the rearward ends of a pair of reversely bent arms 38 (see Figs. 1 and 2), the forward ends of which are rotatable on the pin 24. The upper end of the hairpin spring 32 is pivotally connected with the enlarged headed end-of a horizontal spring actuated rod 40, the spring 42 on which is compressed between the head of the rodand a plate having cars at its lower end riveted to the arms 38 and an opening at its upper end to receive the rod 40. To limit the expansion of the spring 42 and to hold the feed feet 30 in fixed position while disengaged from the carpetedges,

the rod 40 has at its rearward end a pair of check nuts 46 cooperating with the plate 44. 'The arrangement is such that when the feed'feet are pressed against carpet edges engaging the feed slides 28 they will swing yieldingly with the carpet edges and when disengaged from the carpet edges they will be returned to their starting positions. The yielding action of the hairpin spring 32 allows the presser feet to move individually toward each other as the carpet edges engaged byin the machine and partly by forward pressureon the control handles 2 and 4. In case the car pet strips are not accurately located with relation to each other or the machine is not centered properly between them a supplementary pulling action may be applied or the pulling means ren"- dered inoperative selectively to assist thejfeed of the strips by downward pressure on-the manual The stitches are inserted controlhandles 2 and The handles extend-.- upwardly at an angle of approximately 30 to the floor surface and are provided with fixture;

arms 48 pivotally mounted at their forwardends on a shaft 50 extending transversely to the direction. of feed through the hollow column Ill. The handles are braced against horizontal swinging movement as a result of possible looseness or fiexure about their pivotal mountings by the engagementwith the column of perforated lugs on the arms 48 which receive pins 52 passing directional control of the machine is assured.

The arms 48 are provided with arcuate guideways 58 to which are clamped slides 58 and on which are rotatably supported upper pulling rolls 60. The upper pulling rolls 6|] are disposedop posite lower pulling rolls 62 rotatably mounted; within the base 5, with the upper most portions of their peripheriesprojecting through slots at either side in the outer shell of the base inadvance of the point engaged-by the feed slidesp ZQ and feet l8 and 30. The upper rolls 66 act upon the carpet strips close to their edges to press 1 them against the lower rolls 62 which are driven from within the base. The action of the upper pulling and pressing roll 60, therefore, is to as- ""sist in the feed of the carpet strips by forcing the' carpet strips into frictional engagement with the lower driven rolls 62. ing rolls are raised the lower driven rolls are renderedinoperative and ride idly along the under"- surface of the strips without exerting any pulling action.

'Each lower pulling roll 62 is mounted for rota than upon a short shaft 64 (see Figs. 9 to 11," inclusive) secured in lugs extending downwardly "from the'outer shell of the base 6 at either 'sideof the slot through which the roll projects. mounting shafts 64 are arranged at an angle to each other and to the direction of feeding move-" ment imparted to the carpet strips to 'causeth'e rolls to have a component pulling action in the direction of feed and a drawing action in a 'direcv tion transverse to the feed. v

To insure that the carpet strip material will notbe subject to excessive abrasion from the eo'pulling rolls, the lower driven rolls 62 are provided with axial corrugations and the upper pressing rolls with circumferential corrugations, When the'angular position of the pressing rolls f is adjusted on the fixture arms 48 to positions different from those of' the driven rolls 62 the circumferential corrugations will grip the sheet material to produce a predominant effect in giving direction to the pulling action, the strip material sliding axially in the direction of the corrugations in the driven rolls 62.

During operation of the machine with the carpet strips accurately disposed in abutting relation upon a floor surface there is no necessity for bringing into operation the pulling rolls 6B, 62 65 and the handles 2, 4 are held raised to disengage,

the pressing rolls from the carpet strips. Movement of the machine progressively between the carpet edges is then produced by the action'of' the feed slides and feed feet, little or no effort on the part of the operator being required to maintain steady progress. When one or both of the carpet strip however, have been somewhat displaced from accurate abutting relation it may be necessary to depress either of. the handles and 76' bring the pressing rolls against the carpet strips,

When the upper pull- The 7 1 drawing them; transversely: of the direction: of? feed toward: each other so that: when they: reach the feed. slides, proper: feeding movement is insured.

The mechanism for actuating the driven pulling rolls 62 cmprises aratchetlwheel 66' secured toone end ofeach roll; a driving pawl 68 engagingeach ratchet wheel and spring-pressed detents i0 pivotally mounted at 1-2 on downwardly extending lugs on the base 6; Each pawl 68 is pivotally. mounted on a bolt l4 secured to an arm 'ldrotatable loosely onthe shaft 64 of each driven roll 62-. Each bolt H has projecting from one end a spherical head surrounded by a socket at one end of a link 18= The other end of each link lilissimilarlyconnected by means of a socket surrounding the ball headed end of a bolt 80 secured to an-arm 82 extending downwardly from a horizontal rock shaft 84 rotatable in the base 8 carrying both' arms 82. Rocking movement of the shaft-ilfi-imparts a swinging movement to the I arms-16; causing the pawls 68"to rotate the ratchet wheelstfi, each bolt 14 carrying a spring 86 acting; to keep the pawl in engagement with its ratchet wheel. During return idlemovement of each pawl 68 the detents- Hi prevent reverse rotation of] the ratchet wheels, thus insuring continuousstep-by-step rotation of the driven rolls 62'.

As best-shown in Fig. 17; the stitch forming devices of the machine include a curved eyepointed needle 88 secured to a segmental arm 98 projecting from an inclined hollow shaft 92 rotatably mounted in the base withits needle supporting-end directed downwardly toward the tapering and trailing end of-thebase. The needle shaft 92" is so mounted that the needle oscillates across the trough 12 close to the presser foot l8, thus insuring that the carpet edges will be intersected by the needle and clamped close to the, sewing point. In the construction illustrated; the inclination of the needle shaft 92' is the same as the inclination of the tapered shell of the base ,within the trough l2 ,so that full advantage is taken of thespace within the base for accommodation of the actuating connections for the needle.

Cooperating with the needle is a straight reciprocating thread carrying looper 94 secured to a. block 96 pinned to. a rod 93 slidingly mounted within the hollow needle shaft 92'. The looper rod,9,8 extends through the, shaft, 82 and at its opposite end carries a short rack bar. Hi0 (see. Fig. 5) meshing with segmental teeth on :mearmv of a. bell crank lever I92 fulcrumed' on a cross shaft (B4 having its ends fixed within the column Hi. When the needle is at the end of its extreme work penetrating stroke aloop of looper thread is; passed through the loop carried by theneedle. and the looper is moved into the range of a thread. arm 106 secured to a shaft lfl8.rotatably mounted in the base in parallel relation to the inclined. needle shaft Q2 at one side thereof. The hook of thethread arm l 68 is arranged to engage one side of theloop of looper thread so that during the. next penetrating stroke of the needle the loop of looper thread will be held in the needle path as illustrated in Fig. 14. After the needle. has com pleted its work penetrating stroke the looper. again enters a new loop of needle thread pre-' sentedto it, as in Figs. 13 and '7, to initiate the formation of the succeeding stitch. To prevent rotation of thellooper shaft the block 96is slotted. atits outer end and surrounds the thread finger shaft. 188.

Referring to Fig. 15, in the illustrated form: of seam. inserted by; the stitch forming devices,.,the

floor engaging surface of the abutting stripv i ii? This is' the result of the needle entering and emerging from thefioor engaging surfaces of botlr strips without rising'above the thickness. or-pile of the strips- This typeof seam will, therefore,

close up the pile between carpet strips so sewn to form acontinuous exposed surface.

To prevent bulging at-either side of the abutting edges-on the carpet strips, reinforcement is applied to the-floor engaging surface of the seam.

The-reinforcementconsists of a tape l l Bled from:-

above the strips, through the space between the separated edges of the strips and beneath theedges of the-carpet strips in advance of these ing' point. This-tape is composed of thin wovenfabric and preferably isprovided with alatent-or pressure sensitive adhesive.

To; lead reinforcing tape beneath the stripedges it is conducted through properly arranged guides I20; best shown in Figs. 4-and 5, fromasupply reel I22 mounted at the upper part of the.- machine' on: pedestals 1-24 extending from. the; column Id (see Fig. 1).

I2B'secured to the pedestals and the tapeis led through a slot in the side of the-pan-and through an angularly disposed guide i28 rivetedto the pan at one side of the slot.- With the use ofa reinforcing tape in the seam a securefasteningis obtained'on the fabric'por-tionofthe carpet, botlr above it to prevent separation of the. carpet pile and below it-to prevent bulging of the carpet" alongthe sides of the seam. It is particularly advantageous to use a reinforcing tape where relatively heavy tensions are applied to the sewing thread, the tape acting to hold the seam in flattened condition.

The re-enforcing tape H8 is led beneath th centering fin and the feed slides; For this pur-- pose the shell of the base is slotted at l29 -(see- Figs. 4-and 5) and the block I4 is grooved along 16 fits overand closes thegroove onthe block- M to form a cover for the tape. The tape H8 emerges fromthe'groovein the block beyond the. trailing ends of the feed slides 28'where i-trises to the. level'of thetrough 12 (see Fig. 19).

For tensioning the threads they are ledifrom a suitable source of supply through tension de-' vices. I30 and I32 (see Figs. 17' and 19). Both.

these tension devices consist of a pair of spring pressed di'sksmountedupon reversely bent metal.v

straps l3lljse'cured within the base 6. The supply threads. areconducted to the tension devices I30. and I32 through a pair of parallel tubes [3.6:- extending from the trailing end, of the base to theleading end. thereof and upwardly througha supply bracket. 138 into. the central openings of a. pair of hollow spindles I40, secured-to the bracket.

I38. The bracket I38 is bolted to the-leadingend. of. the base-6. and is formedwitha pair-of circular platforms on;which are supported tubular thread;

supply cops; I42 surrounded by sleeves I44 fixed.

toetheir respective platforms, the thread leading;

fromthe. outer surfaces of the-.cops-through-the; hollowspindlesand the conducting tubes I36;

The mechanisms foractuating the stitch forming, work clamping. and feeding devices project-v fromthebaseand are mounted at the upper. end ofthe column-J0 with their connectionsrunning;

moreor less. vertically. into the base; at i a location The supply reel l22 is laid in a flat position within a shallow holder pan.

The plate the stitch forming devices.

. portion of the column I0. rods I10 and I88 will move freely'within the between the ends of the base 6, the connections -being surrounded by the column I8 which is located in advance of the point of operation of There is rotatably mounted in the column about an axis inclined somewhat from the horizontal and parallel to the needle shaft 92 a cam shaft l46. The cam shaft has secured thereon a pair of slotted cams I48 and a pair of open cams I50. The cam shaft I46 is driven through a set of reducing gears I52 from an electrical motor I54 mounted at the top of the column I0. Thus, all of the power applying and actuating mechanisms are mounted on the column above the level of the carpet edges at a position where the operation'of the mechanisms may be observed readily and adjusted conveniently by the machine operator.

' I58 carried by a plate-like bell crank I58 (see Fig. 12) rotatable on a fulcrum shaft I60 secured in the upper portion of the column I0. The bell crank has a horizontal arm to which is pivotally connected a pair of vertical links I62 also pivotally connected to a swivel-block I64 having reduced ends engaging perforations in the arms 38.

For applying downward pressure to the feed feet- 30 the horizontal arm of the bell crank has an opening to receive a pin I66 passing through a slotted block I68 at the lower end of a spring pressed rod I10. The rod I10 is surrounded by a compression spring I12 acting on the block I68 at its lower end and on a threaded sleeve I13 at its upper end. The sleeve I13 is supported in a threaded opening of a projecting portion of the column I and is provided at its upper end with a knurled collar for manual rotation.

The mechanism for actuating the clamping foot is similar to the mechanism for actuating the feed feet 30. Engaging the other open cam I50 I is a follower roll I14 on a platelike bell crank I16 rotatable on the fulcrum shaft I60. The bell crank I16 has a horizontal arm pivotally connected to the upper ends of a pair of vertical links I18, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to an upstanding lug on a yoke I80.

' zontal arm of the bell crank I16 carries a pivot I84 (see Fig. l)- passing through a slotted block I86 fixed to the lower end of a spring pressed rod I88. The rod I88 has surrounding it a compression spring I90 acting at its lower end against the block I86 and at its upper end against a threaded sleeve I92 engaging a threaded opening in. a To insure that the sleeves I12 and I92 the upper ends of the rods are provided with spherical enlargements fitting needle includes the rear cam I48, a follower roll I96 carried by a bell crank I98, the Shape of ;;10 which will be indicated hereinafter, rotatable on the fulcrum shaft I60. The bell crank I98 hasa. horizontal arm pivotally connected to the upper end of a link 200, the lower end of which has a slotted enlargement (see Fig. 6) to one side of which is fixed a rack bar 202 meshing with a pinion 204 fixed to the needle shaft 92. The slotted enlargement is of sufficient size to admit the needle shaft and is of a length to cause proper rotation of the needle shaft when the link 200 is reciprocated. r

The mechanism for actuating the looper acts to reciprocate the rod 98 through-the rack bar I00, the toothed bell crank lever I02 for which has connected at either side a tension spring 206 to insure proper mesh between the teeth thereon. The connections for this mechanism include a link 208 pivotally connected at its lower end with the bell crank lever and at its upper end with a bell crank lever 2I0 carrying a follower roll 2I2. The follower roll 2I2 engages a slot in the fore most cam I48.

The thread arm actuating mechanism coinprises the shaft I08 to which the thread armis secured, a D-shaped arm 2I4 (Figs. 7 and 8) secured to the forward end of the shaft in such angular relation that the looper rod 98 passes through the "opening in the arm, and a link 2| 6 pivotally connected at its lower end to the arm 2I4 and reversely bent to avoid contact with the looper rod 98. The upper end of the link 2| 6 is pivotally connected to the horizontal arm of a bell crank 2 I8 having a follower roll 220 engaging a slot in the rearward cam I48.

To actuate the drivenpulling rolls 62 mechanism is provided including the shaft 84 on the central part of which is fixed an arm 222 having pivotally connected to it the lower end of a link 224, the upper end of which is connected to a bell crank 226. The outline of the bell crank 226 is indicated in Fig.3 and is illustrative of the shapes of the other bell cranks on the fulcrum shaft I60 including the bell cranks I98 and 2I0. The bell crank 226 carries a follower roll 228 engaging a slot in theforward cam I48.

To actuate the feed slides 28 they are formed with toothed enlargements along their undersurfaces, the teeth of which mesh with teeth on interrupted pin'ions 230 -meshing in turn with those on the upper surface of a sliding bar 232 retained within a guideway 234 (see Fig. 9) on the lower shell wall of the base. The sliding bar 232 at its forward end has secured to it a toothed block 236 (see Fig; 5) meshing with gear teeth out in the hub of the arm 222. The pinions 230 act to reverse the movement of the sliding bar 232 and to cause both the pulling rolls and the feed slides to act in feeding the carpet strips at the same time during each sewing cycle.

To enable edge portions of carpet strips to be released or inserted in the machine with their edges in abutting relation at the sewing point in preparation for a sewing operation, the feed and presser feet are raised manually together. This the shaft (see Fig. 2). When the eccentric shaft is in h p s iiqn. of F s-y lhapresse and fee essence-r 11 feet operate :in the usual manner to clamp the zcarpetistri-ps. When the lever 242 is rotated 180 i'iJhBfbell cranks I58'and I 1 6 are both rockedsiinultaneouslylin a clockwise. direction.

After :a seam is completed the presser andfeed feet are againira'ised manually from engagement with the carpet strips to release them and the final loop of looper thread is severed within :its big-ht to prevent unraveling of the seam upon removal of the carpet strips from 'the machine.

For this purpose the machine is provided with a thread cutter cooperatingwith the thread arm 4106. When the thread arm is given a manual "supplemental movement the thread is carried against'za stationary knife blade 2'46 (seeFig. l7) .zmount'ed inside the upper wall of the base 6. To

zgivtethe thread arm its supplemental thread cutting movement the thread armactuating 'slot'in :thezre'ar cam 148 isformed with an enlarged .ipcrtionM-lbf a width greater than that of the :cam roll 220. The bell cranki2 I8 is provided with an upstanding handle 248 (see Fig. 3) to enable a the thread arm. to be moved manuallywhen the oam-shaft is in'a position with the roll engaging the-enlarged portion .24! of the cam slot. The

"enlarged portion of the slot isi'so located in the 1 08.111 that'the-looper and'thread arm will be in proper cooperative relationto insure'the desired results when the-thread arm is given its supplemental movement. Accordingly, when the handle 248 is moved outwardly the thread will 'be carried .against the cutting edge of the knife 246. The

sewn @carpet strips are then removed fromthe machine, withdrawing with them a length of needle thread which may :be'broiren or severed in .any convenient manner. The end of looper thread remains in the-machine and is withdrawn from the last formed needlerlo'op with the result that the severedend connected to the seam will Flock the last formed stitch.

The weight of :the -machine'iis so proportioned that .at least half of its weight will rest upon the tapered trailing end of the base "6. 'The'trailing end ofthe baseis of a width togive stability to the machine when resting upona horizontalfloor surface whileithecasters :H :enable the machine 'to move easily along the .floor surface without .undue friction. The t-mounting shaft 50 for the :handlesZ and- 4 is located directly above'the casters '1 4 isothat'a component-of downward pressure on the handles will not add 'to the frictional resistance of the machine along the floor-surface.

.EIhe machineis of relatively light construction and may be-movedandcontrolled readily merely byforwardpressure against the handles.

To start and stop themachineandto control .interrupting the motor circuit. .A'lso-entering the .upper endof the handle 4 below the'jgrip 250 is a power supply cable 253, the connections for which pass through a lengthwise opening in the handle beside the cablei256. When'itis neces- :sary to'adjust or thread the "stitchxformin'g de- -vices, access is provided within the base 6 by removing adetach'able'cover 260., The cover "260 surrounds the stitch forming devices and guards them from contact with the'carpet strips during sewing. The shape of the 'cover is such that it forms a continuation of the surfaceon the base,

ill)

providing a substantial propor.tion of the trou '12. The cover also is'jper-forated toadmitthe vneed'le during its workgpenetra-ti-ng stroke. The parts accessible upon removing the cover are indicated in Fig. 19..

With the use of the machine all necessity for sewing a limited number of carpet strips together at a factory or servicing agency is eliminated. The carpet to be applied to-a particular floor surface may be shipped entirelyin the-form of rolls which are readily handled by regular transporation facilities. With the present machine it is necessary only to lay carpetstrips upon'a floor surface, the machine itself moving along the floor surface in any required direction to accomplish the :final adjustment of the edges into abutting relationship with their :designs in alinement under simple and effective control bythemachine operator. When it is desired to-draw one ofthe strips more thanthe other or to turn the machine slightly to bring itinto better al-inement withthe "edges of the strips inadvance-of the sewing point .a slight downward movement of one-of the operating handles will initiate thedrawing action -:of the pulling rolls on one carpet'strip or the other. If the machine is manually retarded in its roll feeding'movementthe car-pet strip to which the pull is applied will be drawn edge-wise along :the floor surface whereas if the-machine is given a iorward movement by fcrwardpressure on the handles the pull exerted by the :pulling rolls will be imparted more nearly in thedirectionef .feed, thus providing effectivecontrolon both the carpet strips and the movements of the machine.

'the edge fportionsof fiexiblesheet material d-i'sindeed on a supporting surface, saidmaehine being arranged to traverse said surface in "a progressive :ma'nner and-'comprising a shallow .base

. for raising the edge portionsof the'mate'rialop- 'erated upon from thesupporting surface engagfing side thereof, in combination with a complete set of fastening devices mounted wholly within said "base, constructed and arranged to apply fastenings to the raised portions of sheet material concealed at the supporting surface engaging side thereof.

2. A'ambulant machine "for fastening together the edge portions of flexible sheet material disposed on 'a 'supportingsurface, said machine having a shallow base, wedge shaped at its advancing'end to raise the edge portions of the sheet material from the supporting surface,'with a trailing end of tapering "thicl'rri'ess, in combination with fastening and feeding devices in'the taper- "ing end of'the base constructed and arranged toap ly fastenings to "the raised portions of the sheet material and to 'feedthem'aterial relatively to the machine "as the fastenings are inserted, and actuating mechanisms for'the fastening and feeding devices projecting *from the'base and having connections spaced from the point of application of the fastening devices in line with the edge portions of thesheet material at the point where the fastening devices operate.

3. An ambulant machine for fastening together the edge portions of flexible sheet material disposed on a supporting surface, said machine having a shallow base, wedge shaped at its advanc- =ing end to raise the edge portions of the'sheet 'material from the supporting surface, with a trailing end of tapering thickness, in combinar tion with fastening and feeding devices in the tapering end of the base constructed and arranged to insert fastenings within the raised portions of the sheet material and to feed the material relatively to the machine as the fasteningsare inserted, actuating mechanisms for the fastening and feeding devices projecting from the base and having connections spaced from the point of application of the fastening devices in line with the edge portions of the sheet material at the point where the fastening devices operate, and a narrow column along the mid-section of "the base surrounding the connections and pro- I viding a mounting for the actuating mechanisms.

the edge portions of flexible sheet material-disposed on a supporting surface, said machine having a shallow base, wedge shaped at its advancing end to raise the edge portions of the sheet 'material from the supporting surface, with atrailing end of tapering thickness, in combination with fastening and feeding devices in the tapering end of the base constructed and arranged to insert fastenings within the raised portions of the sheet material and to feed the material relatively to the machine as the fastenings are inserted, and actuating mechanisms for the fastening and feeding devices projectingfrom the base and having connections spaced from the point of application of the fastening devices in" machine having fastening devices and mechanisms for actuating the fastening devices in a progressive manner along the edges of the strips, in combination with a shallow base within which said devices are mounted, said base being wedge shaped at its advancing end for raising the edges of the strips from the supporting surface, a narrow column rising from the mid-section of the base of a length along the strip edges less than 'that of the base, on which the actuating mechanisms for said devices are mounted and of a width transversely of the edges to fit between the raised edges of the strips during passage of the mid-section of the base along the supporting surface, and clamping feet individually movable toward each other, acting along the trailing-portion of the base and projecting beyond, the column to draw the strips edgewise against each other toward the point of operation of the fastening devices.

6. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, said machine having stich-forming devices acting in a progressive manner along the edges of said strips, in combination with a hollow base within which said devices are mounted, said base being wedge shaped at its advancing end for raising the edges of the strips from the .fioor surface with a tapering thickness at its trailing end having a trough within which the,

- separate carpet engaging members guided along 4. An ambulant machine for fastening togetherr stitch forming devices operate and "mechanism for actuating said devices having connections passing into said base between its ends and in advance of the point of operation of said devices.

7. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, said machine having stitch forming devices actin in a progressive manner along the edges of said strips,'in combination with a hollow base within which said devices are mounted, said'base being wedge shaped along its advancing end for raising the edges of the strips from the floor surface with a tapering thickness along its trailing end having a trough within which the stitch forming devices operate, and

converging paths in the base at the sides of the trough to feed the edges against each otheralong the trough.

8. A machine for sewing together stripsof carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, said machine having stitch forming devices acting in a progressive manner alon the edges of the strips, in combination with a hollow base within which said devices are mounted, said base being wedge shaped at its advancing end for raising the edges of the strips from the floor surface with a tapering thickness along its trailing end having a trough within which the stitch forming devices operate, a pair of carpet feeding members mounted in the trough of the'base and angularly disposed guideways for the carpet engaging members for guiding the movements of said members in converging paths to feed the carpet edges with a drawing'action toward each other along the trough.

9. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, said machine having stitch forming devices acting in a progressive manner along the carpet edges, in combination withra hollow base within which said devices are mounted, said base being wedge shaped along its advancing end for raising the edges of the strips from the floor surface'with a tapering trailing end having a trough within which the stitch forming devices operate, a pair of carpet feeding members, angularly disposed guideways in the trough of the base for guiding the movements of said members in paths converging toward each other, and a pair of individually movable feet cooperatin with the carpet engaging members arranged to move toward each other with said members for feeding the edges of the carpetw'with a drawing action toward each other along the trough.

10. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices including a curved needle and machanisms for actuating the stitch forming devices in a pro gressive manner along the edges of the strips, in combination with a hollow base formed with a trough across which the needle oscillates, means acting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges of the carpet strips within the trough, and a narrow column on which the actuating mecha- :zgcamsav :upnn :a ifioor surface, having stitch forming defo'r actuating the stitch forming :devices :in'a

progressive manneralong the edges of the strips, in combination with .a hollow base formed with a trough alined with the :direction of progress of the strips across which the needle oscillates, imeans acting close to the sewin point to clamp the edges of the .carpet strips "within the trough, :anarrow column onwhich the actuating mechanisms are mounted, alined with the trough and -the point of needle operation, and devices for feeding the carpet edges'away from the column.

.512. A machine :for sewing together strips of narpet disposed with edges in abutting relation .upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices including :a curved needle and mechanisms :foractuatirig the'stitch forming devicesgin combination with a hollow base formed with a trough "across which the needle oscillates, .means acting closeto'the sewing point'tc clamp the edges of fiche-carpet strips within the trough, ainarrow colxumn on which the actuating mechanisms are mounted, alined with the trough, and devices 101' feeding the carpet edges relatively to the base, comprising a-pa'ir ofcarpet engaging mem- :bers mounted for movement in paths converging towardeach other alon the sides of the trough.

:13.A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices including "a curved needle and mechanisms =ior actuatin the stitch forming devices, in combination with'a hollow base formedwith a trough across which the needle'oscillates, means acting close to thesewing pointto clamp the edges of the carpet strips within the trough, a narrow column on which the actuating mechanisms are mounted, alined with the trough, devices for feeding the-carpet edges relatively to the base, comprising .a pair of carpet engagin members mounted for movemnt in path converging to- "Ward each other along the sides of the trough, and feed feet cooperating with the carpet engag- .in'g members to clamp the carpet strips.

14. A machine for sewing together strips of :carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices including a-curve'd needle and mechanisms for actuating-the'stitchforming devices, in commounted, alined with the trough, devices for-feeding the carpet edges relatively to the base, comprising a pair of carpet engaging members mounted for movement in paths converging toward "each other along the sides of the trough, feed feet cooperating with the carpet Fengaging membersrto clampthe carpet strips and yielding mountings "for said feetto enable them to move "toward each other asthe'carpet engagingmembersmoveialong their convergin paths.

'15. A machine for sewing "together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices including a curved needle and mechanisms ioriactuating'thestitchiorming devices, in com- *bination with a hollow'base formed with a trough across which the needle oscillates, means cacting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges of 'the carpet strips within the trough, a narrow column on which the actuating mechanisms are mounted, alined "with the :trough, .rdevicesiforztced e :ing the carpet edges relatively to the base, comprising apair of carpet engagingmembersrmounted for movement in paths converging towardleach other along the sides of the trough, feed feeticooperating with the carpet engaging members .to clamp the carpet strips and a presser zfoot Eior securing the carpet strips during back feeding movement of the feed feet.

16. A machine for sewing together strips :of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices including a curved needle and mechanisms for actuating the stitch forming devices, inrcombination with ahollow base formedwith a trough across whichtheneedle oscillates, means acting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges nf column on which the actuating mechanismsmre mounted, alined with the trough, devices for feeding the carpet edges relatively to the base, comprising a pair of carpet engaging :members mounted for movement in paths converging ato- -ward each other along the sides ofwthe trough, feed feet cooperating with the carpet enga ing members to clamp the carpet strips, a :presser foot for securing the carpet strips during back feeding movement of the feed feet and -individual springs 'for urging the feed and presser :feet against the carpet strips.

17. A machine for sewing together strips -10! carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch formingdevices including a curved needle and mechanisms for actuating the stitch forming devices, in 'combination with a hollow base formed with 'a trough across which the needle oscillates, means acting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges :01

the carpet strips within the trough, a narrow column'on which the actuating mechanisms are mounted, alined with the trough, devices .ior feeding the carpet edges relatively to thefbase, comprising carpet engaging members movable in the direction of feed, feet for clamping the carpet strips against said members and gpullingrolls acting on the carpet in advance of .the point engaged by said members to assist in the ifeed of the carpet strips.

18. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abuttting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices including a curved needle and mechanisms 'for actuating the stitch forming devices, in combination with ahollow base formed with a trough across which-th needle oscillates, means acting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges of the carpet strips within the trough, a narrow column on which the actuating mechanisms ,are mounted, alined with the trough, devices for feeding the carpet edges relatively to the base comprisin pulling rolls acting on the carpet in ;ad vance of the point engaged by said members ito feed the carpet strips, and manually controlled handles for selectively renderin the pulling rolls inoperative.

'19. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting/relation upon a floor surface, having stitch 'forming devices including a curved needle and mechanisms for actuating the stitch forming devices, combination with a hollow'base formed with a trough across which the needle oscillates, means acting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges of the carpet strips within the trough, a

narrow column on which the actuating mechacarpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming -devices including a curved needle and mechanisms for actuating the stitch formin'g devices, oombination with a hollow base formed-vvi-th-a trough across which the needle oscillates; means acting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges of the carpet strips within the trough, a narrow column' onwhich the -actuating mechanisms are mounted, alined with the trough, devices for feeding the carpet edges relatively to the base comprising pulling rolls acting on the carpetin advance-of the point engaged by said members to feed the carpet strips, manually controlled and separately'movablehandles for guiding the'movements of the machine betweenithe carpet edges, and mounting shafts for the rolls operatively connected to the handles to enable the rolls to be rendered inoperative selectively.

21. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a fioor surface, having stitch forming de vices including a curved needle and mechanisms for actuating the stitch forming devices, in combination with a hollow base formed with a trough across which the needle oscillates, means acting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges of the carpet strips within the trough, a narrow column on which the actuating mechanisms are mounted, alined with the trough, devices for feeding the carpet edges relatively to theba's'e comprising pulling rolls acting on the carpet'in advance of the point engaged by said members to feed the carpet strips, a handle for guiding the movements of the mechi-ne between the car-pet strip edges, a horizontal s'haf-t'ex'tending' trans versely to the direction of feed of the machine on which the handle is mounted, and a mounting shaft for one of the rollson the handle to enable said roll to be rendered selectively operative or inoperative.

'22. A machine for sewing together strips'of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon afioor surface, having stitch forming devices including a needle and mechanisms for actu'ating the stitch' forming devices, in combination with a hollow base formed with a trough at one end intersected by the needle, a narrow col-- umn' on which the actuating mechanisms are mounted alined with the trough, devicesfor feeding the carpet relatively to'the base "toward the trough comprising two pairs-of pulling rolls; one pair at each side of the base,'a handle ateach'side of the base on which one of each pair of pulling the material against the driven .Ijdll .andlbe g.

18 in combination-with n movable shallow base within which an otsa'id devices are mounted to enable i astening's to be inserted from thesu-pporting surface engaging side 0f the maiteriaL -a "rollengaging a strip or -rnaterial at one side or the base for drawing the edge of that strip toward the edge or the other strip and mechanism for actuating the roll to pull the machine along the strips in the direction of progress or the fastening devices.

'24; A ma hine for fa'stening together strips -=of flexible sheet-material disposed upon asuppor-ting surface, having fastening device's acting progressivelyalong :the edges-of the-strips, in combination with a-movabl'e shallow 'base' on said sur'fa'ce within which all of said devices are mounted toenable fastening-s to be "inserted trom the supporting surface sweet the materia-Lrolls at either-side of the bas'e and mechanism for -ac--' tuating the rolls to dr the *edge'sof the material into'abutti-hg relation with each other and topull=the machine along in "the direction o f progress of the fasteningdevi'ces.

"25'. -A *machine for -fastening together "strips of flexible sheet-material disposed upon a support in'gsurface, having fastening device's'iacting'alohg the edges-of the'strips, -in"co1'nbi-hation with a, shallow base within which said devices are mounted to enable fastenings tobe insertedfro'rn the supportingsur'facersideof the material, pulla ing rolls at either side of the base :to draw the edges of thematerialtoward each othenand hah'e' dles for engaging or disengaging the rollsselec j t'ively'fromthes'trips.

V 26; A machine for fastening together strips or;

flexible sheet materialdi'SPOSEClflIIJOII a support: ingsurface, ihaving'fastening;devices acting along the edges of the" strips, in "combination with a shallow base within which said .de vices are mounted to enable fasteningsfto be'insertedirom th etsuppiorting surface side of the material, apull-y ing roll engaging 'a strip of material at each side of the base *ior drawing. the edge :of 'OIlQ'StIiD to ward the edge of the other strip, handles for engaging ordisengaging the :rolls selectively from the; strip, and amounting :for the rolls on the handles comprising arcuate guid'eways and slides; on the 'guid'e'ways to change the angles at which. therolls act. 2'7. A machine for 'fast'ening'to'gether strips o'f ,fiexib le sheet material disposed upon a support ing surface,j"hai rin'g "fastening devices actingalong the edges of the strips, in combination with a shallow "base within which .isaid devices are mounted to 'enablerfastenings to be inserted mm. the supporting surface side of said materiaha'nd ch r f pulling jroll f, one within the base and the other above the base atoneside thereof for drawing one strip toward the other, one of said rolls being driven and' formedwit h axial cforru-j' gations and'th'e' other of said rolls acting topress".

formed with Circumferential corrugations give; direction to he'puning action, and means Ior ad; ustin'g' the angle of the pressing. roll withirela tion'to'the driven roll. 7

218. .A' machine for fastening together strips of flexible sheet material disposed upon a support ing surface, having fastening.devicestacting along the-edgesof -thefstrips, in combination with a. shallow base within which said devices care. mounted to enablefastenings @to beinsertedlfrom the su porting. surface .side of .said materliaLQ-a pair of pulling rolls, ,one within; the base andthe, other above the base at. onesidethereof .for .draw:-

ing one strip toward the other, one of said rolls being driven and formed with axial corrugations and the other of said rolls acting to press the material against the driven roll and being formed with circumferential corrugations to give direction to the pulling action, and means for adjusting the angle of the pressing roll with relation to thedriven roll comprising an arcuate guideway and a slide on the guideway for rotatably supporting the pressing roll.

- 29. A machine for. fastening flexible material, having fastening devices, in combination with a base for the fastening devices and a pair of pulling rolls for feeding the material past the fastening devices and for drawing the material in a direction transverse to the feed, one of said rolls being driven and formed with axial corrugations and the other of said rollsacting to press the material against the driven roll and being formed with circumferential corrugations to give direction to the pulling action, and means for adjusting the angular relation of the pressing roll with respect to the driven roll.

30. A machine for fastening flexible material, having fastening devices, in combination with a base for the fastening devices and a pair of pulling rolls for feeding the material past the fastening devices and for drawingthe material in a direction transverse to the feed, one of said rolls being driven and formed with axial corrugations and the other of said rolls acting to press the material against the driven roll and being formed with circumferential corrugations to give direction to the pulling action, and'means for adjusting the angular relation of the pressing roll with respect to the driven roll comprising an arcuate guideway and a slide releasably clamped on the guideway for rotatably supporting the pressing roll.

31. A machine for fastening together strips of flexible sheet material disposed upon a supporting surface, having fastening devices acting along the edges of the strips, in combination with a shallow base within which said devices are mounted to enable fastening's' to be inserted from the supporting surface side of said material, a pair of pulling rolls, one within the'base and the other above the base at one side thereof for drawing one strip toward the other, and a ratchet mechanism within the base for driving the roll therein.

32. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices including a curved needle and mechanisms for actuating the stitch forming devices, in combination with a hollow base formed with a trough across which the needle oscillates, means acting close to the sewing point to clamp the edges of the carpet strips withinthe trough, a narrow column on which the actuating mechanisms are mounted, alined with the trough, devices for feeding the carpet edges relatively to the base comprising pulling rolls acting on the carpet. in advance of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation.

upon a floor surface, having an eye-pointed needle and other stitch forming devices, incombination with a hollow base formed with a trough across which the needle moves to penetrate and emerge from the floor surface sides of the carpet strips, and a thread cutter within the base for severing thethread to prevent unraveling of the seam upon removal of the carpet strips. 34. A machine for sewing together stripsof carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having an eye-pointed needle, a thread carrying looper and; other stitch forming devices for inserting a two-thread chain stitch seam, in. combination with a hollow base formed with a trough across which the needle. moves to penetrate and emerge from the floor, surface side of the strips and a thread cutter in the base for severing the looper thread after being passed through a loop of needle thread to, prevent unraveling of the seam inserted whenthe carpet strips are removed from the machine.

35. A machine for sewing together strips of car pet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a ,floor surface, having an eye-pointed needle and other stitch forming devices for inserting a chain stitch scam, in combination with a hollow. base formed with a trough across which the; needle moves to penetrate and emerge from the floor surface sides of thecarpet strips, and a thread cutter disposed in the base for action within a loop of thread for severing the thread to prevent unraveling of the seam upon removal of the carpet strips.

36. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices, in combination with a hollow base formed with a trough to receive the edges of the carpet strips during sewing, and means acting close to the point of sewing operations to clamp the edges of the carpet strips within the trough, comprising presser and clamping feet operating alternatelyagainst the carpet, and manually operable means to raise said feet simultaneously to release the carpet strips from the machine.

37. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices, in combination with a hollow base formed with a trough to receive the edges of the carpet strips.

during sewing, and mean acting close to the point of sewing operations to clamp the edges of the carpet strips within the trough, comprising presser and clamping feet operating alternately against the carpet, an eccentric member for raising said feet simultaneously to release the carpet strips from the machine, and a manually operable lever for rotating said member.

- '38. A machine for sewing together strips'of carpet disposed-with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having a needle and other stitch forming devices acting in a progressive manner along the edges of the strips, in combination with a hollow base formed with a'trough in.

line with the direction of progress of the stitch forming devices, across which trough the needle moves and a detachable cover for the stitch forming devices at the trailing end of the base to provide access to the base for rethreading.

39. A machine for fastening together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having fastening devices and power driven mechanisms for actuating the fastening devices, in combination with a base formed to receive the edges of the strips during fastening, handles for guiding the base along the floor surface and a grip on one of the handles operable to control the power driven mechanism.

40. A machine for fastening together strips of. carpet disposed with edges in abutting relationj upon a floor surface, having fastening devices,

and an electrical motor for driving said mechanisms, in combination with a base formed to raise the edges of the strips durin'g fastening, handles for guiding the base along the floor surface, a movable grip on one of the handles and a rheostat for controlling the speed of the motor connected to said handle grip.

41. A machine for fastening together strips. of flexible sheet material disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a supporting surface, having fastening devices acting in a progressive manner along the edges of said strips, in combination with a supporting surface engaging base within which said devices are mounted shaped with a wedge shaped advancing end for raising the edges of the strips from the supporting surface and a trailing end of tapering thickness in which the fastening devices are mounted to enable fastenings to be inserted from the supporting surface side of the strip material, and mechanism for actuating the fastening devices including a shaft in the base inclined downwardly toward the supporting surface at the tapering end of the base.

42. A machine for sewing together strips of flexible sheet material disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a supporting surface, having a curved needle and other stitch forming devices acting in a progressive manner along the edges of said strips, in combination with a supt porting surface engaging base within which said devices are mounted shaped with a wedge shaped advancing end for raising the edges of the strips from the supporting surface and a trailing end in which the fastening devices are located to enable the needle to act upon the edges of the strips passing over the base, mechanisms for actuating the stitch forming devices including a needle supporting shaft in the base inclined downwardly toward the supporting surface at the trailing end of the base to enable a formation of a tapering thickness at said trailing end of the base.

43. A machine for sewing together strips of flexible sheet material disposed upon a supporting surface, having a curved needle, a looper and other stitch forming devices acting in aprogressive manner along the edges of said strips, in combination with a supporting surface engaging base having a shallow construction of tapering thickness toward one end within which end the stitch forming devices are mounted and a wedge shape at the other end for raising the edges of the strips from the supporting surface and to enable the needle to act upon the edges of the strips moving over the base as they are brought toward each other after being raised, and mechanisms for actuating the stitch forming devices including a hollow needle supporting shaft in the base side of the point of fastening operations to enable an operator to observe the fastening operations while guiding the machine.

45. A machine for sewing together strips of carpet disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a floor surface, having stitch forming devices, in combination with a hollow base within which said devices are mounted, shaped with a turtle back for raising and separatingv the edges of the strps from each other and from the floor surface and with a trough within which the stitch forming devices operate to fasten the edges together, and guides for directing a reinforcing tape from above the strips between their separated edges and beneath the edges at the point of operation of the stitch forming devices.

46. A freely ambulant sewing machine having upwardly extending handle means, in combination with a movable base with power driven sewing and feeding devices constructed and arranged for assisting the propulsion of the machine over a floor surface, a complete set of said sewing devices being contained within the base to enable strips of carpet material disposed in abutting relation with their tread sides up to be sewn together with a concealed seam directly on said surface.

4'7. A freely ambulant fastening machine having upwardly extending handle means, in combination with power driven fastening and feeding devices constructed and arranged'for assist ing the propulsion of the machine over a floor surface, all said fastening devices being contained within the base to enable strips of carpet material disposed in abutting relation on said surface with their tread sides up to be fastened together with a concealed fastening.

48. A machine for fastening together strips of material disposed with edges in abutting relation upon a supporting surface having fastening and feeding devices, in combination with a hollow base within which said devices are mounted. shaped with a turtle back for raising and separating the edges of the strips from each other and from the supporting surface and with a trough within which the fastening devices operate on the edges of the material, and guides for directing a reinforcing tape from. above the strips between their separated edges and beneath the edges at the point of operation of the fastening devices.

MERWIN F. ASHLEY. EDWARD W. FEARING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS