US2905366A

US2905366A - Apparatus for feeding hosiery onto a receiving member

Info

Publication number: US2905366A
Application number: US627836A
Authority: US
Inventors: Floyd R Shoaf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-12-12
Filing date: 1956-12-12
Publication date: 1959-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-22

Description

F. R. SHOAF Sept. 22, 1959 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING HOSIERY ONTO A RECEIVINGMEMBER 4 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Dec'. 12, 1956 INVENTOR, FLOYD R. fiHoAF:

ATTORNEY5 Sept. 22, 1959 v F. R. SHOAF 2,905,366

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING HOSIERYONTOYA RECEIVING MEMBER Filed Dec. 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, FLOYD R. 'SmoAF.

ATTORNEYS 'Sept. 22, 1959 F. R. SHOAF 2,905,366

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING HOSIERY ONTO A RECEIVING MEMBER Filed Dec. 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 22, 1959 F. R. sHoAF APPARATUSFOR FEEDING HOSIERY ONTO A RECEIVING MEMBER Filed Dec. 12, 1956 r22. b-losueny EvERTme DE-v\ct:

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 COMPRESSOR INVENTOR, FLOYD R. SHQAF.

F g=13 BY M ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR FEEDING HOSIERY ONTO A RECEIVING MEMBER Floyd R. Shoaf, Concord, NC.

Application December 12, 1956, Serial No. 627,836

19 Claims. ((31. 223-1) This invention generally relates to the art of seaming full-fashioned hosiery, everting and inspecting the same following the seam operation and more especially to an apparatus for use between the seaming and everting operations.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus positioned adjacent a hosiery seamer and having carrier elements about which the open end of each successive hose may be easily positioned by the operator of the hosiery seamer following the seaming of the hose. Upon each successive hose being placed on the carrier elements, the carrier elements will move astride the end of a hose receiving member which may be the hose support of an everting machine or the end of an inspection board to position the open end of the corresponding hose around the hose receiving member of the everting machine or the end of the inspection board. The carrier elements will then move out of and away from the open end of the hose previously positioned thereabout and be automatically returned to the original position adjacent the hosiery seamer preparatory to receiving another hose.

As is well known, full-fashioned hosiery are mos-t commonly made from extremely fine denier yarn and are extremely delicate and, therefore, must be handled with extreme care at all times during the manufacture thereof to prevent runs and snags in the fabric.

It is therefore another object of this invention to provide apparatus of the character described which is so constructed and operated as to avoid damaging the stocking as each successive stocking is positioned on the carrier elements thereof, as the carrier elements position the stocking on the hose receiving member of the everting or inspecting machine, as the carrier elements are withdrawn from the open end of the stocking and as they return to their original position.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of the character described which may be utilized to automatically initiate a cycle in the operation of the hose everting machine following each time the carrier elements are withdrawn from the open end of the corresponding stocking then positioned on the feed or receiving end of the hose receiving member.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means whereby the hose carrying elements move in an arcuate path from a position adjacent the hosiery seamer, astride the receiving end of the hose receiving member of the everting machine or the inspection board, a predetermined distance and are then elevated so that during subsequent movement of the hose carrying elements back to their original position, they will pass above and free of the hose receiving member of the everting apparatus or machine. Upon moving forwardly past the front of the hose receiving member they are then lowered to their original position preparatory to the initiation of a succeeding cycle in their operation.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when ati ice

2 taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which 7 Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved hosiery feeding or positioning apparatus in association with a hosiery seamer or sewing machine and a hosiery everting apparatus;

Figure 2 is an elevation looking up at the lower side of Figure l with parts broken away; 7

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevation of the structure shown in the right-hand portion of Figure 2, with the upper portions of the sewing machine or seamer broken away, omitting the cover or shield from the driving mech: anism disposed below the hosiery feeding apparatus, omitting the basket or container into which the toe of each successive hose or stocking falls as it is seamed and showing the hose carrying elements in inactive or hose receiving position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section, taken substantially along line 4-4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged elevation, partially in section, taken substantially along line 55 in Figure 2 and wherein the cover is removed from the driving mechanism of the hosiery feeding device;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but being taken looking in the opposite direction from that in which Figure 5 is taken substantially along line 6-6 in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 77 in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view looking at the righthand side of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a somewhat schematic fragmentary plan view showing the hosiery carrying elements after they have moved from the inoperative position shown in Figure 1 to a position astride the upper and lower surfaces of the hose receiving member of the everting apparatus;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary elevation looking up at the lower side of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the hose carrying elements at the end of an active stroke thereof;

Figure 12 is a view looking up at the lower side of Figure 11 showing, in particular, the position of the hose carrying elements as they move in a return or inactive stroke;

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the electrical and fluid pressure circuits of the present invention.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 20 designates a table or platform (Figures 1, 2 and 3) having a hosiery seamer 21 of conventional construction mounted thereon. A hosiery everting appae ratus broadly designated at 22 has its forward or hose receiving end position closely adjacent the table 20 and the sewing machine or hosiery seamer 21. The hosiery everting apparatus is in fact disclosed in my United States Patent No. 2,760,697, dated August 28, 1956 and the improved hose or stocking positioning apparatus broadly designated at 23 is positioned between the hosiery seamer 21 and the everting apparatus 22. While the everting apparatus 22 is shown and described as being of the type shown in my above-noted patent, it is to be understood that other types, such as those later mentioned, may be used with the hose positioning apparatus.

The sewing machine or seamer 21 comprises a housing 25 having conventional mechanism therein, not shown, which is driven by a pulley 26 on which a suitably driven endless belt 27 is mounted. The mechanism within the housing 25 imparts rotation to a pair of front and rear hose-feeding cups or disks 39 (Figures 2 and 3), to and between which the unseamed edges or selvages of fullfashioned hose or stockings S (Figures 9 through 12) are guided by a conventional uncurler or selvage guide generally designated at 31 (Figures 2 and 13). The

3 selvage guide is of the usual type such as is disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 546,925, filed November 15, 1955 and entitled Stitching Severing Device for Seaming Machine, now US. Patent No. 2,787,231, issued April 2, 1957. Accordingly, a detailed illustration and description of the selvage guide is deemed unnecessary. In fact, the reference is made to the selvage guide 31 only because it is instrumental in initiating operationof the improved hosiery positioning apparatus 23 and operation of the hosiery positioning apparatus could be controlledfrom some other part of the seamer or by merely actuating a hand operated switch, if desired. The selvage guide 31 is pivoted on the housing 21 above the disks or cups 30 and is normally positioned in spaced relation to the cups 30 while the operator alines the selvages of the toe, not shown, of each successive stocking -S therewith. Thereafter, the selvage guide 31 is released by manually actuating a pair of arms 33 which are best shown in Figure 13. In so doing, the upper portion of the selvage guide 31 moves above a fixed pivot 34 (Figure 13) so the lower portion thereof occupies a position closely adjacent the bight of the feed ing disks 30 and, at the same time, a switch actuating element or arm 36, fixed on the upper end of the selvage guide 31 engages and moves past a switch arm 37 for momentarily actuating a switch 40. Upon being actuated, the switch 40 initiates operation of the hosiery positioning apparatus 23 as will be later described. The switch 41? is shown mounted on the overhanging upper portion of the housing 25 of the hosiery seamer 21 in Figures 1 and 2.

It will be noted that the edge of the table adjacent the everting apparatus 22 is provided with an opening 41 beneath which a basket or hose collecting container 42 is positioned, the hose collecting container 42 being suitably secured to the lower surface of the table 29. As is well known, as each stockingis seamed, it is fed between the disks 30, past the usual sewing or seaming instrumentality and progressively falls, toe first, into the container 42. Heretofore, it has been customary for the operator of the hosiery seamer 21 to place each successively seamed stocking on the table or platform 2i} in loose, extended and untensioned state to form a stack 50, switch means under control of the novel stocking positioning apparatus 23 initiates operation of the everting apparatus 22. In this instance, said switch means is operative in the manner to be later described to energize an electric motor 52 (Figures 1 and 2) which, through intervening connections, drives a pair of endless pliable elements or

sprocket chains

53, 54. Said intervening connections include suitable gearing positioned and disposed within a gear box or housing 55 having means therein for driving the sprocket chain 53, which sprocket chain 53 extends longitudinally of and disposed within the upper portion of the hose receiving member 50. The gearing in the housing 53 also drives a sprocket wheel 56 on which an endless sprocket chain 57 is mounted, said sprocket chain also being mounted on a sprocket wheel 60 which drives the endless sprocket chain 54. The motor 52 and gear housing 55 are fixed on an outer end frame member 61 of a main frame which also includes a horizontally disposed mainframe member or beam 62, one end of which is fixed to the frame member 61 and the other end of which is fixed to an inner end frame member or standard 63.

The sprocket chain 54 is mounted within a track asi sembly 65 and is'connected with a hose donning device 66 having a presser foot 67 thereon. The hose donning device 66 occupies substantially the position shown in Figure 1 when the everting apparatus 22 is at rest and, upon energization of the electric motor 52, the presser T foot 67 of the hose donning device 66 moves around the of such stockings which were subsequently carried to a i hosiery everting apparatus, such as that indicated at 22, which was then positioned remotely from the sewing machine or hosiery seamer 21. This has required that a separate operator operate the everting apparatus since, in the absence of the present stocking positioning apparatus 23, it would have been an excessively time-consuming and awkward task for the operator of the hosiery s'eamer 21 to position each seamed stocking on the everting apparatus 22 with a corresponding sacrifice in the productive capacity of the hosieryseamer 2 1. improved stocking positioning apparatus 23 facilitates positioning the everting apparatus closely adjacent the hosiery seamer 21 and enables the operator of the hosiery seamer 21 to also operate the everting apparatus 22.

As heretofore stated, the everting apparatus 22 is preferably of a type disclosed in my Patent No. 2,760,697 and, accordingly, only so much of the everting apparatus 22 will be described as is necessary to a clear understandingof the present invention.

As disclosed in said patent, the ev'erting apparatus 22 comprises an elongated substantially horizontally disposed hose receiving member or body 50 made from a tube which is circular in cross-section and whose lower portion is cut away substantially throughout its length to provide an opening or groove 51 (Figure 5) in its lower portion through which each successive everted hose or stocking may pass. The free end or nose of the hose receiving member 50 is adapted to receive a welt or an open end portion W of each successive stocking S after it has been seamed.

As the welt W of each successive stocking is positioned on the free end or nose of the hose recei-ving member However, the i free front end of the track assembly 65 and a cam element 70 then causes the presser foot 67 to move downwardly and press the upper portion of the Welt W against the curved or convex upper surface of the hose receiving member 50, all of which is fully described in said patent, No. 2,760,697.

The hose donning device 66 then moves from right to left along the track assembly 65 while the presser foot 67 is in engagement with the welt W of the corresponding stocking S to thus frictionally draw a stocking onto the receiving member 50.

When the donning device 66 has moved a predetermined distance from right to left in Figure l, which may be termed as an active stroke thereof, the presser foot 67 is raised out of. engagement with the welt W to release the stocking therefrom and continues its movement from right to left in Figure 1 around the rear or left-hand end of the track assembly 65' and then moves from left to right to return from the position shown in Figure 1.

At substantially the time the presser foot 67 moves out of engagement with the welt W of the corresponding stocking S, the free end of a toe punching device or plunger 72 moves into, the free end of the hose receiving member 50 (Figure 1). Movement of the plunger 72 forces a 1 portion of the closed end or toe of the corresponding stockings through a substantially crescent-shaped aperture or opening 73 formed in a cap or plate 74 (Figures 1., 2, 5 and 6) fixed on the free end of the hose receiving member 50.

As the hose donning device 66 starts its movement from the inoperative position shown in Figure 1, the sprocket chain 53 initiates an inactive or forward stroke to a hose dofiing and everting device 75 which is provided with automatically operable gripping means indicated somewhat schematically at 76' in Figure l. The dofiing device 75 is mounted for longitudinal movement in the hose receiving member 50 and the then open gripping means 76 thereon is moved towards the cap 74 subsequent to the toe of the corresponding stocking having been forced through the aperture 73 by the toe punching device 72. The gripping means 76 then clamps the toe of the corresponding stocking and, thus, the stocking is drawn through the opening or aperture 73 in the cap 74 by the dofling device 75 as it moves from right to left in Figure l in an active stroke. It is apparent that the corresponding stocking is then drawn ed the hose receiving member 50 and evened by the dofiing and everting device 75.

As the hose dofiing a'nd everting device 75 approaches the end of its active stroke from right to left inFigures 1 and 2 the grasping or gripping means 76 thereon is automatically rendered inoperative by means fully disclosed in said Patent No. 2,760,697 to release the toe of the hose therefrom. At this time, the hose will have been completely withdrawn or dolfed from the hose receiving member 50 and the welt W is substantially simultaneously drawn through the opening 73 so the stocking is released from the hose everting apparatus in its elongated natural state and falls, by gravity, through the opening or slot 51 in the bottom of the hose receiving member 51} into a suitable container, not shown, to form a stack of stockings with repeated cycles in the operation of the everting apparatus. Of course, as the dofiing and everting device 75 approaches the positions shown in Figure 1 in the course of each active stroke thereof, mechanism is operated to stop further movement of the chain. Although a particular type of everting apparatus has been described herein, it is understood that the present invention may be used in association with air operated everting machines or other types of everting apparatus and may also be used with hosiery inspecting boards or other types of hosiery inspecting devices, since it may be desirable to position each successive stocking on a hosiery inspection form after the stocking has been seamed.

Now, in order to position the open end or welt of each successive seamed stocking on the nose or free end of the hose receiving member 50 with a minimum of lost motion on the part of the operator or attendant the improved hosiery or stocking positioning apparatus 23 comprises a pair of superposed substantially symmetrical and complementary lower and upper stocking carrying elements or plates and 101 made from a relatively thin, rigid and smooth material such as metal, fiberboard, plastic or the like. The body of each of the hose carrying plates 10%, 101 is relatively narrow and the free end of each is provided with a pair of opposed outwardly projecting wing-like portions 162, which portions are rounded to receive the open end or welt of each hose, after it is seamed. The operator positions the welt W of the hose about the wing-like portions 102 of the two hose carrying elements or

plates

106, 101 simultaneously, since the free edges or wing-like portions 102 of the hose carrying plates are disposed in close proximity or engage each other while the hose positioning apparatus 23 is at rest. The welt of each successive stocking is placed under relatively light tension as it is positioned over the wing-like projections 102 of the lower and

upper plates

100, 101 so that the free end of the welt W of the corresponding stocking will tend to drape over the narrow body of the stocking carrying plates 161), 1131, thereby preventing the hose from slipping off the plates unintentionally during operation of the hose positioning apparatus 23 and to also provide a wider mouth at the open end of the hose. Also, to further prevent the stocking from slipping off the

plates

100 and 101, the upper surface of the plate 161 may be provided with a clamping member 164 thereon which is preferably in the form of a relatively light leaf spring member and the welt of each successive stocking is positioned between the leaf spring member 104 and the carrying plate 1131 (Figures 9 and 10). i The lower or bottom hose carrying plate or element 100 is substantially horizontally disposed while the upper hose or stocking carrying element or plate 161 extends upwardly in diverged relation from the free edge of-the plate 100 and is fixed to an angle bracket 105. The angle bracket 105 extends downwardly to one side of the plate 101 and is pivotally connected, as at 106 to an upstanding post or bar 107 extending upwardly from a medial portion of a carriage or a substantially horizontal arm 110 which extends outwardly from the carrier elements 109, 101 and is fixed on the upper end of a shaft or post 111..

The shaft 111 extends downwardly in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6 and is suitably journaled for rotation in a pair of 6 vertically spaced

bearings

113 and 114 fixed to a vertically disposed plate member 115. One edge of the plate 115 is suitably secured to the front edge of a support plate 116 supported adjacent the rear edge on the frame mem her or standard 63. The shaft 111 is provided with a keyway 120 (Figure 3) in which a key, not shown, integral with a spur gear 121 may have vertical sliding movement along the shaft 111. The gear 121 is thus rotatable with the shaft 111 and is prevented from vertical movement by the

bearings

113 and 114 so that vertical movement may be imparted to the shaft 111 without causing vertical movement of the gear 121.

The gear 121 is adapted to be engaged by a rack 122 slidable on a thin plate 119 and in a passageway pro vided by spacers 123 and 123a beneath the bearings 113 and 114 (Figure 5). The free end of the rack 122 is oscillatably connected as at 124 (Figures 3 and 4) to one end of a connecting link 125, the opposite end of which is connected to a stud 126 mounted for radial ad.- justment in a rotatable plate or cam 130. The cam 13%) is rotated to impart reciprocation to the rack 122 and thus reciprocate the gear 121 and the shaft 111, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction. The cam 130 is fixed on one end of an output shaft 131 integral with a 'gear reduction unit 133 mounted on a horizontally disposed plate 134, the inner edge of which is fixed on the plate 116. An electric motor 136 is also mounted on the plate 134 and has a motor shaft 146 which is connected to an input shaft 141 of the gear reduction unit 133 and provides power to drive the cam wheel 1130, link and rack 122.

A normally open electric switch 145 is fixed on the plate 115 (Figures 3, 6, 7 and 13) and has an actuating roller 146 mounted in one end of a lever arm 147 and the roller 146 rides on the outer periphery of the cam plate and is adapted to close the switch when the roller 146 engages the high portion 130a of the cam plate 130. A roller 151) is disposed adjacent the cam wheel 130 and is mounted for rotation in one end of a lever 151 connected to a normally closed electric switch 152 fixed on the plate 115. The roller is adapted to, at times, be engaged by a pin 154, the inner end of which is suitably secured in the side of the cam wheel 130. The switch 152 is a normally closed switch and upon engagement of the roller 150 with the pin 154, upon rotation of the cam plate 130 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 13, the normally closed switch 152 will be opened to break a circuit of the electrical system, to be later described.

The shaft 111 is provided with a collar in which one end of an arm 161 is fixedly embedded and the free end of which has a bunter 162 fixed thereon. The bunter 162 is adapted to, at times, engage the actuating plunger and momentarily close a normally open electrical switch 164 fixed on the upper surface of the plate 115. The switch 164 is provided to automatically start operation of the everting apparatus 22 and may be used to start operation of any other type of automatic hose handling machine, if desired, or may be omitted if a manually operated machine is used following the hose positioning apparatus.

The lower end of the shaft 111 has a piston fixed thereon (Figure 13) which is adapted to be moved vertically by air pressure inside of a cylinder 171 which is closed at its upper and lower ends by

head members

172 and 173 having

respective air lines

174 and 175 fixed therein. The

air lines

174 and 175 extend into a control box 176 (Figure 5) which contains an air selector valve mechanism 177 (Figure 13). The valve mechanism 177 includes a movable piston 178 having a passageway 180 therein and the lower end of the piston 178 is provided with an actuating rod or shaft 181 surrounded by an electrically operable solenoid coil 182. The piston 178 is normally urged upwardly, in Figure 13, by a compression spring 183 surrounding the rod 181 and upon energization of the solenoid coil 182 the rod 181 and the piss .7 ton 178 will be moved downwardly so that the passageway 180 will be moved to provide a passageway between a compressed air input line 190 and the air line 175. T he air line 190 extends from the valve 177 to a suitable compressor or source of compressed air shown schematically at 191. When the piston 178 is in the position shown in Figure 13, air will enter the line 190 from the compressor 191, through the passageway 180 in the piston 187, through the line 174 to force the piston 170 downwardly in the cylinder 171 and thus lower the shaft 111 and the hose carrying element 100 to substantially the position shown in Figures 5, 6 and 10. Air pressure beneath the piston 17.0, which had been holding the shaft 111 in the raised position can then escape through the line 175 and out of the valve 177 through an escape port 179 which will be open when the piston 178 is in the up position. Upon energization of the coil 182, by means to be later described, the piston 178 will be moved downwardly so that the passageway 180 lines up between the intake line 190 and the line 175 leading to the lower end of the cylinder 171 and thus compressed air may enter from the compressor 191, through the pipe 190, passa-geway 180, line 175 and into the cylinder 171 below the piston 170 .to thus cause the piston 170 to be raised along with the shaft 111 to substantially the position shown in Figures 11 and 12. Air pressure above the piston 170 can then escape through the line 174 and out of the valve 177 through an escape port 189 which will be open when the piston .178 is in the lowered position.

An electrical control box 195 (Figure 6) is suitably secured on the plate 116 and contains a solenoid operated switch (Figure 13,) havinga solenoid coil 196 surrounding a core 197 which is suitably secured by conventional means to a pair of normally open switches 200 and 201. The coil 196, upon energization in a manner to be later described, will cause the switches 200 and 201 to be moved to the closed position.

The electrical circuit shown in Figure 13 comprises a suitable male plug 205 adapted to be connected to any suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, and has a pair of main lead wires 206 and 207 extending therefrom. One end of a wire 208 is connected intermediate the ends of the wire .206 and the opposite end is connected to one side of the switch 40. The other side of the switch 40 has one end of an electrical wire 210 connected thereto, the opposite end of which is connected to one side of the solenoid coil 196. One end of an electric wire 212 is connected .at the juncture of the wire 210 and the solenoid coil 196 and the other end is connected to one side of the switch 200. An electric wire 214 is connected at one end intermediate the ends of the lead wire 206 and. the other end is connected to one side of the switch 152. An electric wire 215 is connected at one end to the opposite side of the switch 152 and the opposite end is connected to the side of the switch 152 opposite the side to which the wire 212 is connected. .A wire 217 is connected at one end to an intermediate .portron of the lead wire 206 and the opposite end is connected to one side of the switch 201. The other side of theswitch 201 has one end of a wire 220 connected thereto, the opposite end is connected to one side of the electric motor 136 and the other side of the electric motor 136 'has one end .ofanelectric wire 222 connected thereto and the opposite .end of which leads to and is connected intermediate the ends of the lead Wire 207 While one side of the solenoid coil 196 is connected intermediate the end of the wire 222. One end of an electric wire 225 is connected to the main lead wire 206 and extends to one side of the electric switch 145 and the opposite side of the switch 145 has one end of a 'wire 226 connected thereto, the opposite end of which leads to one side of the solenoid coil 182. The opposite :side of the electrical solenoid coil 182 has one end of a wire 227 connected thereto, the opposite end of which is connected to the main lead wire 207.

The distal end of the main lead wire 206 has one end of a lead wire .230 connected thereto, the opposite end of which extends to the starting control means for the hosiery everting device 22. The distal end of the main lead wire 207 has one end of a wire 231 connected thereto which leads to one side of the electric switch 164 and the opposite side of the electric switch 164 has one end of an electric wire 232 connected thereto, the opposite end of which is also connected to the electrical control means for the hosiery everting device 22.

Method of operation In operation, the operator seams the hose up the back, normally from toe to top on the seaming machine 21, and hangs the open top of the hose on the hose positioning apparatus 23 by placing the welt W beneath the clamping member 104 (Figures 9 and 10) while the hose positioning apparatus 23 is substantially in the position shown in Figure 1. Thus, the hose is hung on the hose positioning apparatus 23 with the toe and part of the leg thereof extending downwardly into the basket or collecting container 42 preparatory to being placed on the hosiery everting apparatus 22. As the arms 33 (Figtires 2 and 13) are moved to actuate the uncurler or selvage guide 31 to start the next succeeding hose the switch 40 will be momentarily closed to complete the circuit from the lead wire 206, through the wire 208, switch 40, wire 210, coil 196, wire 222 and return to the main lead wire 207. Thus, the .coil 196 will be energized and close the switches 200 and 201 so that a circuit will be completed from the wire 206, through wires 214, switch 152, wire 215, switch 200, wire 212, coil 196, wire 222 and return .to the main lead wire 207 to hold the solenoid 196 and keep the switches 200 and 201 closed until this circuit is broken, by means to be later described. Upon the switch 201 being closed the circuit will be complete to the electric motor 136 from the wire 206, through the wire 217, switch 201, wire 220, motor 136, wire 222 and to the main lead wire 207 to thus furnish electrical energy to the motor 136 to rotate the shaft 111 and drive the stocking positioning apparatus 23 in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 1.

With rotation of the motor 136, rotation will be imparted to theshaft 140 of gear reduction unit 133, shaft 131, and to the cam wheel 130 (Figure 3) so that the link will drive the rack 122 from right to left and cause the

hose positioning elements

100 and 101 to be moved from substantially the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 11. Thehose S will be left hanging on the end of the receiving member 50 of the hosiery everting apparatus 22 as the hose supporting and

positioning elements

100 and 101 pass below and above the end of the receiving member .50 (Figure 9).

During movement of the

hose positioning elements

100 and 101, while the hose positioning elements Y100 and 101 are in alowered position or substantially in the vertical plane shown in Figure 10, the hunter 162 engages the switch 164 to actuate or close the same momentarily and to provide electrical current to any suitable device such as the hosiery everting device 22. Upon the switch 164 being closed the electrical circuit will be completed through the wire 230 connected at one end to the lead wire 206 and the wire 231, switch 164 and wire 232 to thus start operation of the hosiery everting device 22 at the proper time after the hose S has been left hanging on the hose receiving member 50 of the hosiery everting device 22.

As the cam wheel continues to rotate, in a counterclockwise direction in Figure 3, the roller 146 will engage the high part 130a thereon to close the switch and thus complete the electrical circuit through the

wires

206, 225, switch 145, wire 226, solenoid coil 182 and wire 227, wire 207 so that the solenoid coil 182 will he energized. 'Upon'energization of the coil 182 the piston 178 will be "moved from the position shown :in Figure 13 to its lowermost position so that compressed air may enter through the line 190, passageway 180 in the piston 178, the line 175 to raise the piston 170 in the cylinder 171 and thus raise the shaft 111 and the

hosiery positioning elements

100 and 101 to a vertical plane above the hosiery receiving member 50 of the hosiery everting machine 22 as shown in Figure 12.

As the pivot point 126 on the cam plate 130 reaches its maximum stroke to the left in Figure 3, the rack 122 is moved to its furthest left-hand position and with continued counterclockwise rotation of the cam wheel 130, the pivot point 126 will move around with the cam wheel 130 and pull the rack 122 from left to right in Figure 3 and cause clockwise rotation of the

hose positioning elements

100 and 101 to begin.

As the

hosiery positioning elements

100 and 101 complete their movement, in a clockwise direction, from the position shown in Figure 11 to substantially the position shown in Figure 1 the roller 146 will move off of the high surface 130a of the cam wheel 130 to again open the switch 145 and break the electrical circuit to the solenoid coil 182. The spring 183 will then push the piston 178 upwardly, to the position shown in Figure 13, so that compressed air may enter through the line 190, passageway 180, line 174 and force the piston 170 downwardly along with the shaft 111 to thus lower the

hosiery positioning elements

100 and 101 to their original vertical plane position as shown in Figure 3.

Also, as the

hosiery positioning elements

100 and 101 reach the radial position shown in Figure 1 the pin 154 will engage the roller 150 to thus momentarily open the switch 152 and break the circuit leading to the solenoid coil 196 by breaking the electrical connection between the

electric wires

214 and 215. Upon the circuit to the coil 196 being broken the switches 200 and 201 will be opened and break the electrical circuit to the motor 136 and stop operation until the switch 40 is again closed by an operator actuating the arms 33 to start another hose through the seaming machine.

It is thus seen that I have provided a new and useful apparatus for holding and positioning articles such as hosiery, which may have automatic operating means for radially moving the hosiery positioning apparatus adjacent the end of a hosiery supporting member which radial movement will cause the open end of the hose to be caught on the free end of the hosiery supporting apparatus as well as automatic means for starting operation of the hosiery supporting and positioning element.

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

I claim:

1. A hosiery feeding apparatus comprising a hose positioning element, resilient hosiery gripping means carried by said positioning element, means to impart arcuate movement to said positioning element in two directions, means operable automatically to move said positioning element to a first horizontal plane for arcuate movement in one direction, and means operable automatically to move said positioning element to a second horizontal plane for arcuate movement in a second direction.

2. An apparatus for positioning hose on a hose receiving apparatus following a seaming machine comprising a hose positioning apparatus, gripping means carried by said positioning apparatus, means to impart radial movement to said positioning apparatus along a first horizontal plane, means operable automatically upon completion of the first radial movement of said positioning apparatus to move said positioning apparatus to a second horizontal plane, and means for moving said positioning apparatus in a radial path at said second horizontal plane.

3. An apparatus for positioning the welt of a hose on a hose receiving apparatus comprising a hose positioning ap paratus, gripping means carried by said psitioning apparatus for gripping the welt of a hose, means to impart radial movement in a first direction to said positioning apparatus along a first horizontal plane, means operable automatically upon completion of the first radial movement of said positioning apparatus to move said positioning apparatus to a second horizontal plane, and means for moving said positioning apparatus in a radial path in a second direction at said second horizontal plane.

4. An apparatus for positioning the welt of a hose on a hose receiving apparatus comprising a hose positioning apparatus, gripping means carried by said positioning apparatus for gripping the welt of a hose, rack and gear means to impart radial movement in forward and rearward directions to said positioning apparatus, and pneumatic means for raising and lowering said positioning apparatus to two different horizontal planes.

5. .A hose positioning apparatus for positioning the welt of a hose on a hose receiving apparatus comprising gripping means carried by said positioning apparatus for gripping the welt of a hose, a shaft supporting said hose positioning apparatus, rack and gear means to impart radial movement in two directions to said shaft, and pneumatic means operable on said shaft for raising and lowering said shaft and said hose positioning apparatus.

6. A hose positioning apparatus for positioning the welt of a hose on a hose receiving apparatus comprising gripping means carried by said positioning apparatus for gripping the welt of a hose, a shaft supporting said hose positioning apparatus, a gear vertically slidable on said shaft and keyed to said shaft, a rack meshing with said gear, means for imparting motion to said rack in two directions, and pneumatic means operable on said shaft for raising and lowering said shaft and said hose positioning apparatus.

7. A hose positioning apparatus for positioning the welt of a hose on a hose receiving apparatus comprising resilient gripping means carried by said positioning apparatus for gripping the welt of a hose, a shaft supporting said hose positioning apparatus, a gear vertically slidable on said shaft and keyed to said shaft, a rack meshing with said gear, a rotatable cam Wheel, linkage connecting the cam wheel and one end of the rack, means operable by said cam wheel for stopping rotation of said cam wheel, and pneumatic means operable on said shaft for raising and lowering said shaft and said hose positioning apparatus.

8. A hose receiving apparatus comprising a pair of superposed upper and lower stocking carrying elements, resilient gripping means on said upper stocking carrying element, means hingedly connecting said upper and lower stocking carrying elements, a shaft supporting said lower stocking carrying element, means to impart arcuate movement to said shaft in two directions, means operable automatically to move said shaft to a first horizontal plane for arcuate movement in one direction, and means operable automatically to move said shaft to a second horizontal plane for arcuate movement in a second direction.

9. A hose receiving apparatus comprising a pair of superposed upper and lower stocking carrying elements, said lower stocking carrying element being fixed horizontally, said upper stocking carrying element disposed at an angle relative to said lower stocking carrying element, resilient gripping means on said upper stocking carrying element, means hingedly connecting said upper and lower stocking carrying elements at one end, a shaft supporting said lower stocking carrying element, means to impart arcuate movement to said shaft in two directions, means operable automatically to move said shaft to a first horizontal plane for arcuate movement in one direction, and means operable automatically to move said shaft to a second horizontal plane for arcuate movement in a second direction.

10. A hose receiving apparatus comprising a pair of superposed upper and lower stocking carrying. elements, said lower stocking carrying element being fixed horizontally, said upper stocking carrying element disposed at an angle relative to said lower stocking carrying element, spring clip gripping means on said upper stocking carrying element for engaging the welt of a stocking, one end of said upper and lower stocking carrying elements hingedly connected and spaced apart from each other, the free end of the upper stocking carrying element normally resting on the lower stocking carrying element, a shaft sup porting said lower stocking carrying element, means to impart arcuate movement to said shaft in two directions, means operable automatically to move said shaft to a first horizontal plane for arcuate movement in one direction, and means operable automatically to move said shaft to a second horizontal plane for arcuate movement in a second direction.

11. A hose positioning apparatus for positioning the welt of a hose on a hose receiving apparatus comprising resilient gripping means carried by said positioning apparatus for gripping the welt of a hose, a shaft supporting said hose positioning apparatus, rack and gear means to impart radial movement in two directions to said shaft, a pneumatic cylinder connected to said shaft, and means operable automatically to raise and lower said shaft and said hose positioning apparatus.

12. A hose positioning apparatus for positioning the welt of a hose on a hose receiving apparatus comprising resilient gripping means carried by said positioning apparatus for gripping the welt of a hose, a shaft supporting said hose positioning apparatus, rack and gear means to impart radial movement in two directions to said shaft, a pneumatic cylinder connected to said shaft, a piston in said cylinder, pneumatic lines for admitting pressure to either side of said piston and electrically operable valve means for selectively raising and lowering said piston, shaft and hose positioning apparatus.

13. In a structure according to claim .12 wherein the position of the valve means is controlled by the radial position of the shaft supporting the hose positioning apparatus.

14. A hose receiving apparatus comprising a pair of superposed upper and lower stocking carrying elements, said lower stocking carrying element being horizontally disposed, said upper stocking carrying element normally disposed at an angle relative to said lower stocking carrying element, spring clip gripping means on said upper stocking carrying element for engaging the welt of a stocking, one end of said upper and lower stocking carrying elements hingedly connected and spaced apart from each other, the free end of the upper stocking carrying element normally resting on the lower stocking carrying element, a pair of wing-like projections on the free ends of both the upper and lower stocking carrying elements, a shaft supporting said lower stocking carrying element, a gear vertically slidable on said shaft and. keyed to said shaft, a rack meshing with said gear, a rotatable cam wheel, linkage connecting the cam wheel and one end of the rack, means operable by said cam wheel for stopping rotation of said cam wheel, a pneumatic cylinder connected to said shaft, and means operable automatica'lly for raising and lowering said shaft and said hose positioning apparatus.

15. Thecombination with a hosiery receiving apparatus and a hosiery seaming apparatus of a hosiery positioning apparatus: for moving hosiery from said seamer to said hosiery receiving apparatus comprising first and sec- 0nd hose carrying elements, the free ends of said hose carrying elements. spaced closely adjacent each other and the opposite ends of which are spaced apart from each other and hingedly connected, means for imparting radial movement to said first and second hose carrying elements at a first horizontal plane whereby the first and second hose carrying elements straddle the hosiery receiving apparatus, means for imparting rotation in a second direction to said first and second hose carrying, elements, and means for raising said first and second hose carrying elements whereby said first and second. hose carrying elements will pass. above the hosieryreceiving apparatus when traveling in the second direction.

16. A method of handlinghosiery between the seaming operation and the inspection and everting operations which operations are performed on apparatuses in spaced relation to each other comprising the steps of opening the welt end of a seamed stocking and supporting it inthe open. condition subsequent to the seaming operation, moving the open welt supported seamed stocking along a direct path of. travel, and depositing initially the open welt portion of the: stocking on one end of the ever-ting apparatus.

17. A method of seaming and handling hosiery between the seaming and everting operations which comprises the steps of seaming the foot and leg portions. of a stocking, opening the welt end of a seamed stocking and supporting it in the open condition, moving the open supported welt end of. the seamed stocking along a directed path of travel, and impaling the open. welt. end. of the stocking on a hosiery everting apparatus.

18. A method of seaming and handling hosiery between the seaming and everting operations which comprises the steps of seaming the foot and leg portions. of a stocking, opening and supporting the welt end of a seamed stocking in spaced relation to a seaming machine, moving the open. welt end of a seamed stocking along a prescribed path of travel, presenting the open. welt end of the stocking .to a support, and impaling said stocking on the support.

19. A method of seaming and handling hosiery between the seaming. and everting operations which comprises the steps of seaming the foot and leg portions of a stocking, supporting the welt end of the seamed stocking, displacing the supported stocking along a directed path of travel, and impaling the welt portion of the stocking on a support, and opening the welt end of the stocking as it is impaled on the support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,657,841 Landucci et al Nov. 3, 1953 2,722,348 Ammon Nov. 1, 1955 2,760,697 Shoaf Aug. 28, 1956 2,787,231 Shoaf Apr. 2, 1957