US2964221A

US2964221A - Hosiery inspecting and stacking device

Info

Publication number: US2964221A
Application number: US763897A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert E Fuqua
Original assignee: MARVEL SPECIALTY Co
Current assignee: MARVEL SPECIALTY Co
Priority date: 1958-09-29
Filing date: 1958-09-29
Publication date: 1960-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 1977-12-13
Also published as: GB875657A; FR1236811A

Description

Dec. 13, 1960 R. E, FUQUA 2,964,221

HOSIERY INSPECTING AND STACKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 29, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 1 l INVENTOR 8W 0 I 96 9 I RoberzfEFupua 76 m III 434 J36 M q W 06 ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1960 R. E. FUQUA 2,964,221

HOSIERY INSPECTING AND STACKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 29, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Robert EFL 9 ua WWW ATTORNEYS Dec. 13, 1960 R. E. FUQUA 2,964,221

HOSIERY INSPECTING AND STACKING DEVICE Filed Sept. 29, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS HOSIERY INSPECTING AND STACKING DEVICE Robert E. Fuqua, Padncah, Ky., assignor to Marvel Specialty Company, Inc., Paducah, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Filed Sept. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 763,897

17 Claims. (Cl. 223-43) This invention relates to apparatus for inspecting and stacking hosiery, and more particularly to an improved stacking device whose action is correlated with the hosiery inspection operation.

Devices of this type in general include a hollow tubular inspection form supported at one end so a hose to be inspected may he slipped over the unsupported end of the form in an inside-out condition and inspected. After inspection is completed, a flow of air is induced through the form in a direction away from the unsupported end. The flow of air draws the hose into the tube by first withdrawing the toe end of the hose into the tube. As the hose enters the tube, it is averted or turned right-side-out and transferred through the interior of the inspection form to an outlet. At the outlet, a stacking device may grasp the toe end of the hose and transfer it from the discharge end of the inspection form to a stacking table. Frequently, means are provided for inducing a flow of air through the transfer passage in the opposite direction to assist the operator in placing a hose on the inspection form, the discharge of air from this end serving to blow-up the hose as it is being inserted on the form.

Because of the relatively light weight and high degree of pliability of hose, correlation of the operation of the inspection device and stacking device frequently has resulted in extremely complex control mechanisms for inter-relating the operation of the two devices. An additional problem which arises where the machine must be used on hose of varying size and weight involves the rate of flow of air through the tube. A flow rate high enough to transfer heavier hose is frequently too high for lighter weight hose and compacts and disarranges the lighter hose during transfer through the tube, making orderly stacking difficult.

The function of the stocking device is to transfer hose from the inspection device to a stacking location and during this transfer operation straightening the hose to its full length. Both pneumatic and mechanical arrangements foraccomplishing this stacking operation have been developed. In mechanical arrangements, the toe end of the hose is grasped by a gripping device, moved to the stacking station and released. In the usual case, the opening and closing the gripping device is accomplished by various cam arrangements which require special driving means.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a hosiery inspection and stacking device in which a mechanical stacking device may be operated pneumatically from the pressure source employed to induce flow of air through the inspection part of the device.

It is another primary object of the invention to provide a hosiery inspection and stacking device in which the inspecting and stacking portions of the device are operated from a common source of air under pressure from a single control.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved stacking device for positively gripping the hosiery inspection device and stacking device in which hose of widely varying weights may be delivered to the stacking device in condition for orderly stacking.

The foregoing and other objects are achieved in a device having a stacking means which includes a pair of arms mounted for relative movement. A gripping device is connected between the arms to be operated between an open and closed position by relative movement between the arms. The gripping device is so arranged as to define a limit to relative movement between the arms in one direction and thereby, when closed, serves to create a driving connection from one arm to the other. Limit stops position the arms relative to each other to open the gripping device at the stacking station. A pneumatic motor is connected to the one arm to drive the arm in a manner moving both arms to move the gripping device between a receiving location and a stacking location. Movement of the driven arm closes the gripping device to grip a hose and the gripping device couples the other arm to be driven with the driven arm to the stacking station. When the gripping device arrives at the stacking station, the other arm is accelerated toward the driven arm to open the gripping device and accelerate the gripping device away from the hose. The arms are spring biased to return to the receiving position when the air motor is vented. The air motor is coupled to the hosiery inspection portion of the machIne to supply air under pressure to the motor upon the induction of flow of air through the inspecting portion in one direction and to vent the air motor upon the induction of flow through the inspection portion in the opposite direction. A single valve controls the flow of air in either direction through the inspection portion of the machine and simultaneously operates the pneumatically controlled stacking device toward or away from the receiving station in accordance with the di rection of flow of air through the inspecting portion of the machine.

To prevent balling of the hose during transfer or compacting at the receiving location, a bypass conduit is connected in parallel with the transfer tube in the inspection portion of the machine. A throttling valve in the bypass conduit may be adjusted to control the rate of flow of air through the transfer tube.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by reference to the foliowing specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the machine of Fig. 1 taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a respective view showing the physical relationship of various passages and conduits in the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view, partially in section, of a portion of the stacking device;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and showing details of the control valve; and

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are detailed plan views of the stacking device showing the sequence of operation and relative movement of the various parts of the device.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine shown in the drawings includes a fixed frame and housing assembly designated generally at 20 upon which is mounted a projecting elongated hollow tubular inspection form 22. In the usual case, the external surface of form 22 includes a plurality of radially projecting ribs 24. As best Patented Dec. 13, 1960 I seen in Fig. 2, inspection form 22 project forwardly well beyond the front side 26 of the housing and the outer end of form 22 presents a projection over which a sock or stocking, indicated in dotted lines at S in Fig. 2, may be slipped for purposes of inspection by the machine operator.

Form 22 is hollow and open at both ends. The supported end of form 22 is fixed to frame 21) and connected to a curved hosiery transfer tube 28 in such amanner that the passage through form 22 definesan inlet to tube 28. At its opposite end, the outlet 38 of tube 28 is surrounded by a plurality of conveying wire fingers 31 which function to catch and retain hose discharged from tube 28 in position to bereceived by a stacking'device to'be described below.

A motor 32 is mounted Within housing 28 and is connected by suitable means 34 to drive an air compressor 36 which is connected by'conduit 38 to a storage tank or accumulator 40. Conduit 38 is the outlet of compressor 36; preferably, the inlet conduit 42 of the compressor is provided with afilter indicatedat 44 in Fig. 2.

A first conduit 46 is connected between storage tank 40 and tube 28. As best seen in Fig. 3, tube 28 curves downwardly after it passes through front wall 26 of the housing. Conduit 46 is connected to open into tube 28 at the aforementioned curved section in such a manner that the axis of conduit 46 at the point of connection is {substantially coaxial with outlet 38 so that air is'discharged into the passage defined by tube 28 directly toward outlet 30.

A second conduit 48 extends from tank '40 to a conduit 50. A relatively small diameter conduit section 52 of conduit 50 connects conduit 48 to tube 28 in a manner such that air discharged into the passage defined by tube 28 from conduit section 52 flows through the passage in a direction away from outlet 30. In otherwords,

conduits

46 and 52 are connected to tube 28 in such a manner as to cause air to flow through tube 28 in opposite directions.

The valve assembly shown in Fig. is employed to connect one or the other of

conduits

46 and 48 to the air supply maintained within tank 48. As best seen in Fig. 5, the valve assembly includes a shutter 54* which is pivotally supported as at 56 to rotate in face to face engagement with the inner surface of end wall 58 of tank 40. Pivotal support 56 of shutter 54 takes the form of a shaft 60 which is journaled in end wall 58 and passes through the end wall for connection to a. crank 62 which is coupled, by link 64 and arm 66 to a foot pedal FP located adjacent the front wall 26 of housing 28.

Shutter 54 is shown in Fig. 5 in the position which it assumes when foot pedal FF is in its uppermost position and conduit 48 is opened to the interior of tank 40. When the machine operator steps on and depresses foot pedal FP, link 64 is pulled downwardly in Fig. 5 to pivot shutter 54 about its pivotalmounting56 in acounterclockwise direction to open conduit 46 to the interior of tank 40 and concurrently block communication between conduit 48 and the interior of tank &8. Suitable spring means (not shown) may be used to bias foot pedal FP to its upper position.

Conduit 48 is also connected by conduit 58 to a pneumatically operated bellows 68 mounted on the exterior of front wall 26 in a position to operate a stacking assembly designated generally at 70.

To regulate the rate of flow of airfrom conduit- 46 through outlet 30, a bypass conduit 72 is connected between conduit 46 and conduit 50 in parallel with tube 28. A throttling valve TV is connected in bypass conduit 72, and by adjusting the opening of valve TV, a selected portion of the flow of air through conduit 46 may be conducted through bypass conduit 72 and discharged into tube-28 from conduit section 52 in opposition to flow of airin tube 28 toward outlet 30. Bypass conduit 72 is similarly effective on flow through tube 28 in the opposite direction, however the rate of discharge through outlet 30 is of greater concern in the prevention of balling or compacting of hose during transfer through tube 28.

Referring especially to Figs. 2 and 4, stacking device 70 is mounted upon the fixed frame and housing 28 by upper and

lower frame members

74 and 76 respectively. Frame members 74 and -76 are rigidly secured at one end to the side of frame or housing 28 and are joined at their outer ends by a vertically extending frame plate 78 which is rigidly secured, as by welding, to both of

frame members

74 and 76. Upper and lower bearing blocks 80 and 82 are bolted to one side of frame plate 78 and a vertically extending hollow tubular sleeve 84 is journaled in bearing blocks 88 and 82 for rotation about a vertical axis. A collar 86 is fixedly secured to sleeve 84 immediately above the lower bearing block. A rigid crank arm 88 is fixedly secured to collar 86 and is connected by pin 90 which passes through the outer end of crank 88, to an extension 92 coupled to a drive rod 94 operated by bellows 68. As best seen in Fig. 4, crank 88 has a downwardly projecting pin 86 which is connected by tension spring 98 to a lug 99 fixed to the frame of bellows 68. Spring 98 acts as a return spring which continuously biases sleeve 84 in a clockwise direction when viewed from above as in Fig. 2.

Rotation of sleeve 84 in the aforementioned clockwise direction is limited by the abutment between an adjustable stop assembly 100 with plate 78. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 6, adjustable stop assembly 108 includes a collar 102 fixed to sleeve 84, an arm 104 fixed to collar 182, and adjusting screw 106 threaded through arm 184, and a locknut 188 for locking screw 106 in an adjusted position within arm 104. Reference numerals 102 through 106 have been applied only in Fig. 4 due to lack of space in Fig. 6.

Immediately above upper bearing block 80 an arm 118 is fixedly secured to sleeve 84 for rotation therewith. Intermediate the ends of arm 110, an arm 112 is rigidly fixed, as by welding, to arm to project at right angles from one side of arm 110. At its outer end, arm 110 is pivotally coupled as at 114 to one end of a connecting link 116. At its opposite end, link 116 is pivotally connected as at 118 to a feeler arm 120 which is pivotally supported at one end as at 122 in a fixed plate 124 which is welded to upper frame member 74- and projects horizontally from the frame member. As is apparent from a comparison from Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 feeler arm 128 is pivoted for movement about its pivotal support 122 in accordance with the rotative position of arm 110. The free outer end of feeler mm 120 has a roller 126 mounted upon arm 120 for rotation about a vertical axis.

A second adjustable stop assembly 128 is mounted upon sleeve 34immediately below lower bearing block 82. Stopassembly 128 is constructed in the same manner as adjustable stop assembly 100 and is located to engage plate 78 to define a limit to counterclockwise movement (when viewed from above) of sleeve '84.

An elongated shaft 130 is received within sleeve 84 for coaxial rotation relative to sleeve 84. Shaft 138 projects axially from sleeve 84 both at the upper and lower end of the sleeve. At the lower end of shaft 1'38, a collar 132 is fixedly secured to the shaft and a crank arm 134 is secured, as-by welding, to the collar 132.- At the outer end of crank arm 134, a downwardly projecting pin 136 forms a connection for one end of athe pper end-of shaft 130 (Fi ,.1 semndconar The opposing finger 150 of the gripping assembly ispivotally mounted upon arm 142 as by a pivot pin 152. As best seen in Figs. 6 through 9, gripping finger 150 is extended beyond arm 142 and is coupled by a rigid link 154 to the distal end of arm 110 by means of a pivotal connection 156 between link 154 and gripping finger 150 and a second pivotal connection 158 between the link and arm 110. secured to sleeve 84 and rotates with the sleeve while arm 142 is rigidly secured to shaft 130 and rotates with the shaft. Thus, relative rotation between sleeve 84 and shaft 130 may be employed to open or close the gripping assembly defined by

fingers

148 and 150.

A cam arm 160 is rigidly secured to arm 142 adjacent the supported end of the arm and is rigidly braced by a supporting member 162 which is welded at its respective ends to arm 142 and cam arm 160. Cam arm 160 is so located as to present a cam surface defined by the inclined outer edge 164 which is located to engage roller 126 on feeler arm 128 when the stacking device 70 is in the positions shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

A fixed stop 166 is mounted upon plate 124 to define a limit to clockwise (Fig. 6) movement of arm 142.

Operation of the machine is as follows. As an initial condition, it will be assumed that foot pedal FP is in its uppermost position which will place valve shutter 54 in the position shown in Fig. 5that is with conduit 46 blocked from communication with the air supply contained in tank 40 and conduit 48 opened to permit air to flow from the interior of tank 40 into the conduit 48. Air flows from conduit 48 through conduit section 52 and is discharged into the passage defined by tube 28 in a direction toward the opening at the outer end of inspection form 22. In addition, air flowing through conduit 48 passes through conduit 52 into bellows 68 expanding the bellows and thus driving drive rod 94 to its fully extended position, shown in Fig. 2, thus causing stacking assembly 70 to assume the full line position shown in Fig. 2.

The machine operator commences a cycle of operation by taking a sock to be inspected and placing it on inspection form 22 in the position illustrated by the broken lines S in Fig. 2. This operation is facilitated by the discharge of air from conduit section 52 through the open end of inspection form 22 where the sock is placed on inspection form 22 in an inside-out condition. With the sock S on form 22, the machine operator inspects the sock for flaws. Assuming that the sock being inspected is satisfactory, the operator depresses foot pedal FP to shift valve shutter 54 from the position shown in Fig. 5 to block communication between the interior of tank 40 and conduit 48, thereby stopping the fiow of air through conduit 48 to bellows 68 via conduit 50 and to tube 28 via conduit 52. As conduit 48 is blocked by valve shutter 54, conduit 46 is opened and placed in communication with the air supply within tank 40. Air then flows from the interior of tank 46 through conduit 46 which, as described above, is connected to tube 28 in a manner to discharge air from conduit 46 directly through outlet opening at 30.

The rate of flow of air from conduit 46 through outlet 30 is regulated by adjusting throttling valve TV in bypass conduit 72. Adjustment of the rate of flow of air in this manner is desirable since too high a flow rate tends to It will be recalled that arm 110 is rigidly ball up the sock inthe passage or to compact it in retaining fingers 31' and thus render orderly stacking difiicult.

The rapid flow of air outwardly through outlet 30 creates a suction within tube 28 which induces a flow of air through tube 28 from the opening at the outer end of inspection form 22. The induction of air flow in this direction pulls the toe end of the sock S into the interior of form 22, thus turning the sock from its inside-out condition to a right-side-out condition as the sock enters the tube defined by form 22. Sock S is thus everted and sucked into the interior of inspection form 20 and transferred, by the flow of air induced by discharge of air from conduit 46 through outlet 30, through tube 28 and out through outlet 30 where it is caught and retained by spring fingers 31.

When the shifting valve shutter 54 stops flow of air through conduit 48, the free communication between conduit 50, conduit 52 and the interior of tube 28 permits bellows 68 to be vented. Stacking assembly 70 is retracted by

springs

98 and 138 to move from the full line position of Fig. 2 in a clockwise direction to the extreme limit of movement represented by the broken line showing of Fig. 2. In order to move in this direction, stacking device 70 must drive rod 94 back toward bellows 68, and thus the above mentioned clockwise movement of stacking device 70 can occur only when bellows 68 is vented through conduit 50 into tube 28. When stacking assembly 70 is at its extreme clockwise limit of movement, the various parts of the stacking device are in the position shown in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be seen that further clockwise movement of sleeve 84, and hence arm 110 is prevented by the engagement between adjustable stop assembly 100 and plate 78. Arm 142 is prevented from further movement in a clockwise direction by the engagement of arm 142 and stop 166 on fixed plate 124. With arms and 142 at their respective limits of clockwise movement, the angular displacement between the arms is such that link 15-4 forces movable gripper finger away from fixed gripping finger 148 to place the gripping means in theiropen position. The parts of stacking assembly 70 remain in the Fig. 6 position as long as foot pedal FF is held depressed by the operator.

Ordinarily, the operator will hold foot pedal FP depressed only long enough for stacking assembly 70 to move into the Fig. 6 position. The operator then releases foot pedal PP and reaches for another sock to place upon inspection form 22. When the operator releases foot pedal FP it returns to its upper position, thus shifting valve shutter 54 back to the position shown in Fig. 5. As previously explained, this permits air to flow from tank 40 through conduit 48 to be discharged into tube 28 and also to be conducted by conduit 50 to bellows 68. As air passes from conduit 50 into the bellows, the bellows begin to expand and drive rod 94 starts to move toward its fully extended position. At the same time,

air is being discharged from the open end of inspection form 22 to assist the operator in placing the next sock to be inspected upon form 22.

As drive rod 94 begins to be extended from bellows 68, sleeve 84 is driven in counterclockwise rotation (Figs. 6 and 7) by virtue of the connection between drive rod 94 and crank 88 which is secured to sleeve 84. Since arm 110 is rigidly connected to sleeve 84 it is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 7. During this initial portion of the rotary movement of arm 110, arm 142 remains stationary since it is firmly biased against its stop 166 by spring 138. Thus, a slight amount of relative angular movement occurs between arm 110 and arm 142. This relative movement is employed to move gripping finger 150 from the open position of Fig. 6 to the closed position of Fig. 7 by virtue of the coupling link 154 which comes finger 156 to arm llo'." As finger 150"rrioves to its "closed'p'osition; the sock 'S'sup'p'orted in wire fingers 142, fu'rther'rotative movement of arm 110 in a counter clockwise direction is transmitted through gripping finger 148 to arm 142. Thus, continued rotation of arm 1 from the Fig. 7 position to the Fig. 8 position causes arm 142 to follow arm 110 by virtue of the abutment between

grippingfingers

150 and 148. Since 'SOck S is interposed between the gripping fingers, the sock'is pulled free of wire fingers'31 and is carried, by the rotation of stacking assembly 70 to a location above a stacking surface or table indicated in broken line at T in Fig. 2 As the stick is pulled free of-gripping fingers 31, it is straightened to itsfull length both by thereta'rding grip of fingers 31 and by; theflow' of air into tube 28 induced'by the discharge of air from the inlet end of tube 28.

By virtue of the connection between arm 110 and feeler'arm 120through arm 112 and link 116, feeler arm 120 is likewise forced to follow the rotary movement of arm 110. As stacking assembly 70 approaches the stacking station, roller 126 at the distal end of feeler 120 comes into contact with cam' surface 164 which, as stated above, is mountedin fixed relationship to arm 142. Roller 126 moves into engagement with cam surface 164 just prior to the engagement between stop 128 and plate 78. As arm 110 moves through the final portion of its counterclockwise movement, from the position of Fig. 8 to the position of Fig. 9, roller 126 is forcibly driven against cam surface 164 and this action accelerates arm 142 to reduce the angular displacement between arm 142 and arm 110 as arm 110 goes into its stop. The decrease in angular displacement between the arms caused by the engagement between roller 126 and surface 164 causes link 154 to drive gripping finger 150 away from fixed gripping finger 148 to thereby release sock S and permit the'sock to drop onto the stacking surface T. This completes one cycle of operation of the machine.

While I have shown but one embodiment of'my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the structure disclosed may be modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is' to be considered exemplary rather than limiting, and the true scope of myinvention is that defined in the'follo'wing claims.

I claim:

1. A hosiery inspection and stacking machine comprising meansdefining a hosiery "transfer passage havlng a hosiery inlet at one end and a hosiery outlet at the other end, a hosiery inspection form on the exterior of the transfer passage defining' means at the hosiery inlet end thereoflmeans for causing air to flow from said outlet to said inlet to facilitate application of hosiery to the form, a stacking device movable'along a path between said'outlet and a stacking location, and meansoperated' simultaneously'withthe'last named means-to move said stackingd'evice from said outlet to said stacking location.

2: A hosiery inspection and stacking machine comprising means defining a hosiery transfer passage having a hosiery inlet at one end and a hosiery outlet at the other end, a hosiery inspection form on the exterior of the transferpassage defining means at the hosiery inlet end thereof, a stacking device movable-along a path between said outlet and a stacking location, a pump for supplying air underpressure, first means for connecting said 1 pump to saidpassage to cause air to flow within said passage from said inlet to said outlet to transfer'hosiery from said form to said outlet, second means for connecting said pump to said passage to cause air to flow from said outlet to said inlet, and an air motor coupled to drive said stack- 8 means defining 'a passage for transferring hose from an inspection form to an outlet, and a stacking device movable ineither direction over a path extending from said outlet to a stacking station; air supply means connected to said passage and operable in a first condition to induce a flow of air through said passage in one direction to evert a hose on said form-and transfer said hose to said outlet and operable in a second condition to induce a flow of .air through said passage in the opposite direction,'control means for selectively establishing said supply means in said first or said second condition, pneumatic means for driving said stacking device in one direction on said path, conduit means connecting said pneumatic means to said supply means to cause said pneumatic means to drive said stacking device in said one direction when said supply means isin said first condition, and means for driving said stacking device in the opposite direction when said supplymeans is in said second condition.

4; In a hosiery everting and stacking device having means defining a passage for transferring hose from an inspection form to an outlet, and a stacking device movable in either direction over a path extending from said outlet to a stacking station; air supply means operable in a first condition to induce a flow of air through said passage in one direction to evert a hose on said form and transfer said hose to said outlet and operable in a second conditionto induce a flow of air through said passage in the opposite direction, pneumatic means operable when connected to said supply means to drive said stacking device from said outlet to said stacking station and operable when vented to permit movement of said stacking device from said stacking station to said outlet, and conduit means connecting said pneumatic means to said supply meansto drive said stacking device in said first direction when said supply means is in said first condition and to vent said pneumatic means when said supply means is in said second condition.

5. In a hosiery everting and stacking device having means defining a passage for transferring hose from an inspection form to an outlet, and a stacking device movable in either direction over a path extending from said outlet to a stacking station; air supply means, first conduit means connected to said passage to discharge air into said passage in a direction toward said outlet when said first conduit means is connected to said air supply means, second conduit means connected to said passage to discharge air into said passage in a direction away from said outlet when said second conduit is connected to said air supply means, pneumatic means operable when connected to said air supply means to drive said stacking device from said outlet to said stacking station and operable when vented to permit movement of said stacking device from said stacking station to said outlet, third conduit means connecting said pneumatic means to said second conduit means, and means for selectively connecting said first conduit means or said second conduit means to said air supply means.

6'. A hosiery stacker or the like comprising gripping means actuable to an open and a closed position, a first arm supporting said gripping means for movement over a fixed path extending from a receiving location to a stacking location, a second arm mounted for movement relative to saidfirst arm over a path extending from a first end limit to a second end limit, means for driving said second armfrom said first end limit to said second end limit, means biasing said first arm to actuate said gripping means to said open position when said gripping means is located at said receiving location and said second arm is at said first end limit, and means coupling said second arm to said gripping means to close said gripping means upon movement of said second arm away from said first end limit and to thereupon drive said first arm to move said gripping means away from said receiving location.

7'. A" hosiery stacker 'or'the'like as defined "in claim 6 9 wherein said gripping means comprises a first finger fixed to said first arm and a second finger mounted on said first arm for movement toward and away from said first finger, said coupling means being connected to said second finger to move said second finger toward or away from said first finger in accordance with relative movement between said first and said second arms.

8. A hosiery stacker or the like comprising gripping means actuable to an open and to a closed position, a first arm supporting said gripping means for movement over a fixed path extending from a receiving location to a stacking location, a second arm mounted for movement relative to said first arm over a path extending from a first end limit to a second end limit, means biasing said first arm to locate said gripping means at said receiving location, means coupling said second arm to said gripping means to open said gripping means at said receiving station when said second arm is at said first end limit and to close said gripping means upon movement of said second arm away from said first end limit, means for driving said second arm from said first end limit to said second end limit, and means engageable between said first and said second arms to open said gripping means when said second arm is at said second end limit.

9. A hosiery stacker or the like comprising a first arm and a second arm each mounted for pivotal movement relative to the other about a common axis, gripping means connected between said first arm and said second arm to be opened by pivotal movement by said first arm in one direction relative to said second arm and to be closed by pivotal movement of said first arm in the opposite direction relative to said second arm, said gripping means being operable in its closed position to prevent further movement of said first arm in said opposite direction relative to said second arm, means connected to said second arm for driving said second arm in pivotal movement about said axis between first and second end limits, first means operable when said second arm is at said first end limit to locate said first arm relative to said second arm to open said gripping means, and second means operable when said second arm is at said second end limit to locate said first arm relative to said second arm to open said gripping means.

10. A hosiery stacker or the like comprising a first arm and a second arm each mounted for pivotal movement relative to the other about a common axis, gripping means connected between said first arm and said second arm to be opened by pivotal movement of said first arm in one direction relative to said second arm and to be closed by pivotal movement by said first arm in the opposite direction relative to said second arm, said gripping means being operable in its closed position to prevent further movement of said first arm in said opposite direction relative to said second arm, first stop means defining a first end limit to movement of said second arm in a first direction about said axis, second stop means defining a second end limit to movement of said second arm in the opposite direction about said axis, third stop means defining an end limit to pivotal movement of said first arm in said first direction about said axis at a location where said gripping means is maintained in said open position when said first and said second arms are at their respective limits of movement in said first direction, means for driving said second arm from said first end limit to said second end limit, and resilient means biasing said first arm against the limit defined by said third stop means to induce relative movement of said first arm in said opposite direction relative to said second arm and thereby bias said gripping means to said closed position upon movement of said second arm away from its first end limit.

11. A hosiery stacker or the like as defined in claim 10 including means engageable between said first and said second arms to open said gripping means when said second arm is at said second end limit.

12. A hosiery stacker or the like as defined in claim 11 wherein said engageable means comprises a member movable with said second arm and engageable with said first arm to accelerate said first arm in said opposite direction about said axis to open said gripping device and accelerate said gripping device in said opposite direction about said axis.

13. In a hosiery inspection and everting device including an open ended transfer tube having an inspection form at one end thereof; air supply means, first conduit means connected to said tube to induce a flow of air through said tube in one direction when said first conduit means is connected to said air supply means to thereby evert a hose on said inspection form by drawing said hose from said form into said one end of said transfer tube, second conduit means connected to said tube to induce a flow of air through said tube in a direction opposite to said one direction when said second conduit means is connected to said air supply means to expel air from said one end of said tube to assist in placing a hose to be inspected upon said inspection form, means for selectively connecting said first conduit means or said second conduit means to said air supply means, and third conduit means connecting said first and said second conduit means to each other, said third conduit means including flow regulating means to control the rate of flow of air through said third conduit means. 7

14. A hosiery inspection and stacking machine comprising a tube having a hosiery receiving passage extending from a hosiery inlet at one end of the tube to a hosiery outlet at the other end of the tube, a form for receiving hosiery for inspection at said one end of the tube, a stacking device movable along a path between said out let and a stacking location, a pump for supplying air under pressure, first means for connecting said pump to said passage to cause air to fiow within said passage from said inlet to said outlet to transfer hosiery from said form to said outlet, second means for connecting said pump to said passage to cause air to flow from said outlet to said inlet, flow regulating means connected between said first means and said second means and adjustable to regulate the rate of flow of air through said tube, and an air motor coupled to drive said stacking device and connected to said pump by said second means to drive said stacking device from said outlet to said stacking location.

15. A hosiery inspection and stacking machine comprising means defining a hosiery transfer passage extending from a hosiery inlet end to a hosiery outlet end, a hosiery inspection form on the exterior of the transfer passage defining means adjacent said hosiery inlet end, air supply means connected to said passage operable in a first condition to cause air to flow through said passage from said inlet end to said outlet end to transfer hosiery from said form to said outlet and operable in a second condition to expel air from said passage outwardly through the hosiery inlet end of said passage to facilitate the application of hosiery to said inspection form, stacking means movable along a path extending from said hosiery outlet to a stacking location, means operable by said air supply means when in said second condition for driving said stacking means from said outlet to said stacking location, and means operable when said air supply means is in said first condition to return said stacking means to said outlet.

16. A hosiery inspection and stacking machine comprising means defining a hosiery transfer passage extending from a hosiery inlet end to a hosiery outlet end, a hosiery inspection form on the exterior of said transfer passage defining means adjacent said inlet end, air supply means connected to said passage and operable in a first condition to cause air to flow through said passage from said inlet end to said outlet end to transfer hosiery from said form to said outlet end and operable in a second condition to expel air from said passage outwardly through said hosiery inlet to facilitate the application of hosiery to said inspection form,- stacking means "movable along a path extending from said outlet to'a stacking location, means biasing said stacking means to said outlet, gripping means on said stacking means operable upon movement of said stacking means from said outlet toward said stacking location to grip hosiery located at said hosiery outlet and to release hosiery upon arrival of said stacking means at said stacking location, and means operable by saidair supply means when in said second condition for driving said stacking means from said outlet to said stacking location.

17. A hosiery inspection and stacking machine comprising means defining a hosiery transfer passage extending from a hosiery inlet end to a hosiery outlet end, a hosiery inspection form on the exterior of the transfer passage defining means at said inlet end, air supply means for supplying air under pressure to said passage, a two position valve connected to said air supply means operable in a first position to discharge air from air supply means into said passage in a direction toward said hosiery:

outlet to induce a fiow of air *through said passage toward said outlet end and operable in its other position to'discharge airfrom said air supply means into said passage in a direction toward the inlet end of said passage,

to saidstacking location, and means operable when said valve is in said one position for returning said stacking means from said stacking location to said outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,593,825 Higgins July 27, 1926 2,722,348 Ammon Nov. 1, 1955 2,811,267 Bock Oct. 29, 1957