US2966353A - Cloth spreading machines - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 27, 1960 Filed Aug. 5, 1955 W. DEICHMANN CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WA; 75;? .DE/(HM/lN/V ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1960 w. DEICHMANN CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES T Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1955 Dec. 27, 1960- w. DEICHMANN CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES 7 Sheets-She et 3 Filed Aug. 5, 1955 NQ 3 a. wmv

a 3% QEQ R INVENTOR W44 75/? .DE/CWM/INN ATTORNEY 1960 -w. DEICHMANN 2,966,353

CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 5, 1955 INVENTOR MLTERDE/Cf/Mfl/IN BY a ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1960 w. DEICHMANN CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 5, 1955 IHIH" 22 h N. TM. RW Y 26 Him 2 n 4 MY B Dec. 27, 1960 w. DEICHMANN CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 5, 1955 whmm Dec. 27, 1960 w.- DEICHMANN ,96 53 CLOTH SPREADING MACHINES Filed Aug. 5, 1955 Sheets-Sheet 7 .RN Y E m N R 2 m E NH FI Q CLOTH SPREADING MACEHNES Walter Deichmann, Mineola, N.Y., assignor to Cutting Room Appliances Corp., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 5, 1955, Ser. No. 526,739 28 Claims. (Cl. 276-31) This invention relates to cloth spreading machines.

One of the great problems in spreading cloth mechanically upon a surface to produce superimposed layers of identically the same extent has been to eliminate, to as great a degree as possible, the stretching and distortion of the fabric as it is pulled from the supply and then spread upon the surface where the multiple layers are being formed and positioned. In different types of machines, a device which spreads the fabric upon the surface forms a fold, and requires mechanism to reverse its direction of fold formation, where a single continuous length of fabric is laid down substantially continuously upon the surface. The operation requires that after a layer has been deposited, and the folded end is to be left at the limit of travel, the entire apparatus must be reversed in its direction of movement. The fold forming device must be removed from the fold thus just formed, as the apparatus now moves away from that fold in the direction opposite to that in which the fold just ended was formed. For the next fold, reversal of the direction in which the fold is to be formed must be effected.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus for forming folds in fabric which is being deposited upon a surface in successively superimposed layers, to permit the facile drawing of an increased amount of fabric from the supply immediately as the apparatus is reversed in its direction of movement and as the fold-forming member commences its movement away from the end of the layer just finished, so that such additional amount of fabric so drawn from the supply is absorbed immediately in the new layer thereafter continuously laid down, and thus will reduce and even eliminate any appreciable tension upon the fabric as it is spread thereafter.

Rounded surfaces have been found most desirable for use in feeding fabric to a surface. It is an object of the invention to provide fold-forming means wherein rounded surfaces of fairly large diameters are utilized in guiding the fabric. In certain of the combinations, it has been found desirable to use rods or rolls for forming the end folds, and in conjunction with the subsequent steps of clamping the end folds in position without the use of pins or similar devices in the definition of the layer being spread upon the surface, or in anchoring the layer in place after its entire length has been spread.

In cases where a single member is utilized to form a fold in whichever direction the carriage is moving over the surface, the fold-forming member generally is reversed close to the time when the carriage on which the foldlorming member is mounted approaches the limit to which the fold is being brought. Thus, this reversal occurs close to the end of the travel of the carriage toward a limit, not as the carriage commences the movement to start a layer. Thus a long length of fabric, in substantial tension, stretches behind the carriage. With all of this tension, additional fabric is required at the moment of reversal to accommodate the movement of the fold-forming device in its rotation. The pulling of this additional fabric from the supply still further increases the tension upon the fabric, from which may result distortion of the end fold being formed, and distortion of the layer which has just been laid down.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus which will reduce to as great a degree as possible or even eliminate tension at the critical moment in the formation of a layer, when the end fold is being defined to determine the length of the spread layers.

The angle at which the fabric approaches the fold former has been observed to be of great importance in relation to these various factors. Where means are provided for holding the fold after it has been delivered to the end of the spread layer, if the fabric moves down to the fold former at a large angle, interference ensues with the proper operation of any fold holding means, in its movement into retaining position at the end point.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device in which the fabric approaches the fold-forming member at a very sharp angle, in order to reduce or even eliminate interference by the fabric itself with the proper formation of the fold.

It is an object of the invention to introduce, into the fold-forming device itself and as a part of the foldforming elements, sharply rounded surfaces which will interpose little to no resistance to proper feeding of the fabric during spreading.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which may be rotated for presenting a fold in either direction of movement of the carriage over the table, wherein the fold-forming device is rotated to its new direction immediately after a fold has been defined and left at an end position on the table, and as the carriage moves away from that fold-forming position.

It is an object of the invention so to reverse the foldforming device at the time that a fold has just been deposited, and as the carriage moves away from the end position at which the fold has just been deposited, that no appreciable tension is created in a length of the fabric being spread, in order to eliminate the effect of feeding extra fabric at the end of a layer-spreading step, and so that the fabric may be fed properly during the reversal of the fold-forming member without any appreciable tension.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus for conjunction with the fold-forming device so that, at the end point when the fold is being laid down and clamped on the table, additional fabric will not be required for the reversal of a fold-former approximately at the moment when the fold formation is being defined finally, in order that no appreciable tension is being applied to the long layer of the fold just defined.

It is an object of the invention to provide positive feeding means which normally is proportional to the movement of the carriage over the surface, wherein a substantial quantity of cloth may be supplied at critical moments, regardless of the speed at which the carriage is moving over the table, and wherein such substantial quantity may thereafter be compensated for as the carriage continues its movement over the table.

It is an object of the invention to provide balanced tensioning means in the feed of the fabric from a supply, where such means cooperates with a feeding means in such a manner that an additional supply may be drawn at critical moments from a supply, and thereafter be com pensated for, or overfeeding may be compensated for automatically by reduction of the feeding elfectiveness of the feeding means.

It is an object of the invention to provide positively driven means for feeding fabric from a supply, on a carriage of the type indicated, with means to compensate for inequalities in the amount delivered by the feeding means which otherwise should have a constant relation to the movement of the carriage over the table. Such a feeding means ordinarily might tend to overfeed, but means are provided automatically to compensate for this overfeeding by making the feeding means increasingly ineffective as the surplus of fabric fed tends to increase.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for positively feeding the fabric constantly in one direction regardless of the direction in which the carriage is moving, together with means for positively rotating a foldforming device at a limit of travel of the carriage over the table, wherein the means for rotating the fold-forming device may be uncoupled and coupled regardless of the continuous operation of the fabric-feeding means, and regardless of the reversing action of the fabric-feeding means in accordance with the direction of movement of the carriage over the table.

It is an object of the invention to provide a carriage, operating means of the type indicated including positive means for feeding fabric regardless of the direction the carriage may be moving over the table, and means for reversing a fold-forming device, in which the force necessary for moving the carriage over the table is reduced to a minimum, so as to require but little effort on the part of an operator who pushes the carriage along the table without assistance from means such as an electric motor.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for clamping folds being defined at the end of movement of a carriage, which device moves in a substantially straight line vertically, and wherein a clamp bar forming a part of the device is maintained in a plane substantially parallel to the surface upon which the fabric is being spread.

It is an object of the invention to provide, in conjunction with clamping devices of the type indicated, means whereby the clamping bar may be raised so that devices such as cutting machines, or the like, may be permitted to function without the necessity of removing the clamping devices from the surface.

It is an object of the'invention to provide a fold-forming device which must be rotated in order to change the direction in which it is to form a fold, and wherein this rotation occurs immediately at the "commencement of formation of a layer as the carriage moves from one end of the table toward the other, and wherein the fold-forming member itself, during its rotation, is lifted away from the fabric being deposited on the table to prevent distortion of layers already spread upon the table.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for rotating a fold-forming member wherein such rotating means is activated, but not actuated, as the carriage approaches the end of its movement toward a limit of travel, wherein such rotating means merely is made ready for its actuation as the carriage commences its return movement from that limit, wherein the fold forming member is restrained against actuation during that last part of the movement of the carriage to its limit.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus which functions in which ever direction the carriage may be moving, for initiating operation 'of means for rotating a fold-forming device, but, by reason of the difference in the direction of movement of the carriage, functions to rotate the fold-forming device in different directions automatically.

Other objects of the invention will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent from the description and the drawings, in which are illustrated embodiments exemplifying the invention.

The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted to any particular construction, or any particular arrangement of parts, or any particular application of any such construction or arrangement of parts, or any specific method of operation or use, or any of the various details thereof, even where specifically shown and described herein, as the same may be modified in various particulars, or may be applied in many varied relations, without departing from the spirit and scopeof the claimed invention, of which the exemplifying embodiments, herein shown and described, are intended only to be illustrative, and only for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the statutes for disclosure of an operative embodiment, but not to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

On the drawings, in which the same reference characters referred to the same parts throughout, and in which is disclosed such a practical construction,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, illustrating apparatus cmbodying the invention, shown mounted upon a surface such as that of a table, the table being broken away in part, and one of the cloth clamping means or catchers being shown broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view, to larger scale than Fig. l, of a portion of the carriage and parts therewith associated, the apparatus being shown in one of its positions, parts of the apparatus being broken away, and parts only of one of the catchers being shown;

Fig. 2a is a detail elevational view of a portion of the apparatus for effecting reversal of the fold-forming device in one of its positions;

Fig. 2b is a view similar to Fig. 2a, with the parts in a different relationship;

Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view, to enlarged scale, and taken on a horizontal plane substantially transversely of a portion of the carriage on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view, substantially on the line 4-4 of the Fig. 3, and illustrating details of the fabric-tensioning, fabric-folding, and fabric-feeding means;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the carriage shown in Fig. 1, but without the catchers, and as seen from the side opposite from that shown in Fig. 1, and with many of the operating parts not shown, but illustrating the elements of the take-off of driving energy from a wheel of the carriage;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken to enlarged scale, and substantially transversely of the carriage on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, to illustrate details of the driving mechanism for the fabric-feeding means, and for effecting rcversal of the folding means;

Fig. 7 is a detail cross-sectional view, taken to enlarged scale, and substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6, to illustrate details of the driving mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 vis a view similar to Fig. 7, but taken substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 6, and of but a small portion of Fig. 6, to illustrate another portion of the driving mechanism;

Fig. 8a is a detail vertical cross-sectional view, and to enlarged scale, showing a modified form of the sprockets and overrunning clutches of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken to enlarged scale, and substantially on a vertical plane extending transversely of Fig. 1 on the line 99, to illustrate part of the mechanism which makes efiective and times the means for reversing the fold-forming device;

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view,

to enlarged scale, and taken substantially on a plane ex tending transversely of Fig. 1 on the line 10-40, to illustrate a part of the means for reversing the fold-forming device;

Fig. 11 is a detail cross-sectional view, substantially on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10, to illustrate a portion of the means for reversing the fold-forming device;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view, to a larger scale, of one of the clamping devices or catchers shown in Fig. l, certain parts being broken away, the catcher being shown in a pair of positions which that catcher assumes in relation to operating parts of the carriage;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the catcher shown in Fig. 12, the portions ofthe carriage being not shown;

Fig. 14 is a detail cross-sectional view, substantially on the line 14-14 of Fig. 13, of a portion of the operating elements of the catcher;

Fig. 15 is a view, in elevation, but showing the essen' tial portions of the catcher and of the fold-forming device to illustrate the manner in which the catcher cooperates with the fold-forming device and the carriage as it approaches an end position of rest for holding a fold properly in position;

Fig. 16 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 15 with the exception of the right-hand catcher, with the parts now having reached an association different from that of Fig. 15, so that the parts are in readiness for a further spreading operation; and

Fig. 17 is a further view of the parts of Fig. 16, illustrating further action of the parts as catcher and carriage move apart from the position of Fig. 16, and as the foldforming device is reversed.

On the drawings is shown a spreading machine 18 which has a carriage 12 which moves over a surface such as the top of a table 14; the carriage moves between limits, in this case shown as defined by a pair of cloth clamps or, as sometimes known in the industry, catchers 16 and 18. Carriage 12 may be mounted upon a plurality of wheels 20, 22, 24 and 26. Wheels 28 and 22 may be of any desired type; for instance, they may be rubber tired, in order that they may roll directly upon top surface 28 of the table without marring that surface. Wheels 24 and 26, on the other hand, may be such that they will cooperate with a track 30 (Fig. 9) which may be positioned in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by being secured at the edge 32 of table 14. Wheels 24 and 26 may be provided with grooves 34 positively to engage track 30 in guiding the carirage over surface 28.

Carriage 12 provides means for transporting a supply of sheet material, such as cloth. The supply may take the form of a roll 36 of the cloth; the cloth 38 is arranged to be fed down to spreader mechanism 40 by positive feed ng means 42, under control of automatic tensioning means 44. Mechanism 40 guides the cloth down upon surface 28, and is controlled by reversing mechanism 46 which serves to change the position of the fold-forming element 48 of the spreader mechanism at predetermined intervals in the movement of carriage 12 with relation to catchers 16 and 18.

Carriage 12 may comprise a pair of frame members 50 and 52 which may serve to define the side walls of the carriage. A plurality of bars and shafts may extend between frame members 50 and 52, to stiffen the structure. Certain of the shafts, while serving to stiffen the carriage, may also enter into the structure and operation of different mechanisms as here described.

Fastened or otherwise rigidly sustained with relation to frame members 50 and 52 in any suitable manner are a pair of uprights 54 and 56. In slots 58 which open upwardly from each of the uprights are positioned rollers to function for supporting the ends of a rod 60 upon which is wound roll 36.

Either as a part of each of frame members 58 and 52, or secured thereto in any suitable manner, is a bearing support 62. In each support 62 are provided bearings for shaft 64 of a roll 66. Spaced downwardly and to one side from shaft 64 are the bearings for a shaft 68 upon which is mounted roll 70. Roll 70, which is splined or otherwise secured to shaft 68 to rotate therewith, may have a facing 72 of friction material, such as rubber, cork, or the like. Facing 72 is disposed to provide positive traction upon cloth 38 which is to be drawn positively thereby from roll 36. Cloth from roll 36 is threaded over roll 66 and then under roll 70.

Spaced from roll 70 along supports 62 are bearings for a rod 74. Fixed to rod 74 are a pair of arms 76. The arms are positioned with relation to rod 74 so that the larger portion extends toward roll 70. At the ends of arms 76 in the direction of roll 70, a tubular member 78 is fixed and extends between the arms. At the shorter ends of arms 76, a rod 88 is fixed and extends between the arms. Rod 88 is heavy enough to counterbalance the weight of arms 76 and member 78. Additional weight may be added to or adjacent rod 80 to cause member 78 normally to rise to the position shown in Fig. 1 when a light load is being applied to member 78 in the operations to be described.

From the under surface of roll 70, the cloth is drawn up over, around and down from member 78 to foldforming element 48. Thus, as fold-forming element 48 spreads fabric upon the table, the fabric is drawn from roll 36 and over member 78. If the amount of cloth required for proper spreading upon the surface of the table at any time is greater than the amount fed by roll 70 in the manner to be described, member 78 will be drawn downwardly against the action of the balancing weights. Roll 78 may be so driven, in the manner to be described, as to feed slightly more cloth than necessary properly to serve element 48. Therefore, the action by whtch member 78 is pulled downwardly will occur only at certain intervals in the operation of the apparatus.

Likewise, when for any reason the amount of fabric being spread upon the surface by element 48 is less than the amount being fed by rotation of roll 70, cloth 38 between roll 66 and roll 70 will become loose, and lose its tangency to roll 78. Traction of facing 72 upon the clo.h will be lessened or completely eliminated, at least for a short interval, while element 48 will continue to spread fabric upon the surface until this slack is eliminated.

in order to rotate roll 78 constantly in one direction, and thus to draw fabric from roll 36 in the same direction at all times, no matter which direction carriage 12 is moving over surface 28, axle 82 of one wheel 28 may be extended through its frame member 52; on such extension a sprocket 84 may be secured to axle 82. Frame member 52 may have a bearing for a shaft 86 which extends across the carriage from member 52 to frame member 50. At member 50, shaft 86 may be coupled to drive reversing mechanism 46 in the manner to be described.

Keyed to shaft 86 are a pair of sprockets 88 and 98. A chain 92 extends around sprockets 84 and 88, to drive shaft 86 in accordance with the rotation of wheel 28. Thus shaft 86 will rotate in one direction when the carriage moves over the table surface in one direction, and in the opposite direction, when the direction of movement of the carriage over the table surface is reversed.

A hearing may be provided in frame member 52 for a countershaft 94 upon which is keyed a sprocket 96. On shaft 68 on the side of frame member 52 away from roll 78 is a sprocket 98 which is loosely mounted on shaft 68. A chain 188 is trained between sprockets 98 and 98 so that the chain engages sprocket 96 in such manner that, while sprockets 98 and 98 rotate in the same direction, sprocket 96 is rotated in the reverse direction. Countershaft 94 extends beyond sprocket 96 to have another sprocket 182 keyed thereto at its free end. Shaft 68 extends beyond sprocket 98 to receive a sprocket 184 loosely mounted at its end. An end collar secured at the end of shaft 68 retains sprocket 104 against movement off shaft 68. Chain 106 is trained around sprockets 182 and 104.

With sprockets 98 and 104 on shaft 68 are secured the elements of a pair of overrunning clutches 108 and 110. On the drawing (Fig. 6), the parts of the overrunning clutches are shown as parts distinct from their respective sprockets. As shown in Fig. 8a, however, the construction may be such that the sprocket in each case is hollowed out so that the sprocket body serves as the annulus, while the rest of the parts of the overrunning clutches fit into the cavities of the respective sprockets.

Thus each clutch may include a ring 112 splined or otherwise secured to rotate with shaft 68. Such ring may be seated in the cavity 114 in the sprocket, as shown in Fig. 8a. An outer annulus 116 may form a part of clutch 108, and may have a hub 118 secured or otherwise made to move with sprocket 98. In Fig. 8a, annulus 116 is in fact the sprocket body, or, rather, the inner face 120 of the wall forming cavity 114. The inner face 122 of annulus 116 (Fig. 7), or inner face 120 (Fig. 8a), is formed with fiats 124 which diverge outwardly from the cylindrical form of faces 122 or 120. Thus, when annulus 116, or sprocket 98 secured to the annulus or having the annulus formed as a part thereof, is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 126, rollers 128 retained between fiats 124 and ring 112 will tend to roll and move loosely to the enlarged spaces at the diverged ends of flats 124. When, however, the direction of rotation is reversed, rollers 128 will become wedged between ring 112 and flats 124, and will drive shaft 68 in the direction of rotation of annulus 116.

On the other hand, clutch 110, with its ring 112, may be constructed in the same manner, either with an annulus 130 which has a hub 132 secured to or made integral with sprocket 104, or a cavity similar to cavity 114 maybe provided in sprocket 184. Annulus 138 or its corresponding part may have faces 134 which diverge in a direction opposite to flats 124. As indicated before, sprockets 98 and 104 are rotated reversely, as considered in connection with the drive from shaft 86, countershaft 94 and sprocket 102. Thus, when carriage 12 is moving in one direction, one of the overrunning clutches will drive shaft 68 in a predetermined direction to pull fabric from roll 36, while the other clutch idles; when the carriage now moves in the opposite direction, the other overrunning clutch will become engaged, and will drive shaft 68 in the same direction in which it had just been driven by the first overrunning clutch which latter clutch now idles. Thus, no matter which direction the carriage moves, movement of the carriage over the table pulls fabric from roll 36 in the same direction.

Extending vertically at and spaced laterally inwardly from each of frame members 50 and 52 are a pair of fixed guide rods 136. Slidable upon rods 136, at the frame members, are carrier plates 138 and 140. Fixed to an end face 142 of carrier plate 138 is a chain 145. Chain 145 is trained around sprockets 144, 146 and 148. Sprockets 144 and 146 are provided suitable hearings on frame member 50 so as to be substantially in line vertically so that chain 145 will parallel rods 136. Chain 145, on vertical movement, raises and lowers plates 138 and 140, and with it the mechanism therewith associated. Sprocket 148, positioned closely adjacent sprocket 14 6 at the upper portion of frame member 58, may be mounted on a stub shaft 150 which may be extended through frame member 50 to receive an operating knob 152 on its outwardly extending portion. Knob 152 may be utilized for manually raising and lowering plates 138 and 140 and their associated mechanism, as the operator may desire.

Mechanism may be associated with chain 145 and its operating sprockets automatically to lift plates 138 and 148 as the spreader mechanism piles up layers of fabric on the table. Shaft 154, which carries sprocket 144, may be extended to a position outside that face of the machine adjacent the operator to have a gear 156 secured thereto. Gear 156 in turn may engage a smaller gear 158 on a countershaft 168. Countershaft 160 may have a ratchet 162 secured thereto. In the manner shown in Patent No. 2,520,895, a pawl 164 to engage ratchet 162 may be carried upon an arm 166 which normally is held retracted by means of a spring (not shown). When carriage 12 approaches one of the catchers, arm 166 may engage against a suitable projection from the catcher, or some device mounted upon the table for that purpose, and will function to drive pawl 164 and thus move ratchet 162 to rotate gears 156 and 158 and thereby move chain 145 to lift plates 138 and 140 a predetermined amount. Means for graduating the amount of movement imparted to ratchet 162 by pawl 164 may be provided, but need not here be described, such mechanism being shown in sufiicient detail in Letters Patent No. 2,520,895.

Each of plates 138 and 146 may have a bearing in which is mounted a stub shaft 168. Secured to each shaft 168 at one side of each of plates 138 and is an arm 170 which may have secured thereto or as a part thereof a collar 172 through which shaft 168 may extend. Collar 172 may be secured to shaft 168 by any suitable means. A pair of round bars 174 and 176, which may be heavily polished, are extended between arms 170. Carried by collar 172 at a positionclose to each of plates 138 and 140 may be a finger 178 which rotates with shaft 168 in a plane so that, at a pair of its positions the finger will engage a pin which may be secured in each of plates 138-and 148 for that purpose. Arm 170 is spaced away from its plate 138 or 140 by collar 172 sufficiently to clear the end of its pin 188, but, as indicated, finger 178 will engage .pin 180 which thus forms a limit for rotation of the finger in either direction. Thus finger 178 and pin 180 provide stop means for determining the degree of rotation of arms 170, and of bars .174 and 1'7 6 carried thereby.

The limiting effect provided by engagement of finger 178 with pin 180 appears in Figs. 15, 16 and 17. Cloth 38 is brought down from tensioning means 44 and is threaded between bars 174 and 176. In Fig. 15, parts of the apparatus are illustrated in positions they assume as the carriage approaches the limit of travel to the left, where catcher 16 is about to engage the cloth upon bar 174. The operation of the catcher and its relation to fold-forming element 48 will be described in greater detail later. It is to be noted, however, that the parts are now positioned with finger 1'78 at one of its limits of travel, in engagement with pin 180. In this case, bar '174 is below bar 176, and is in advance of bar 176 in the direction in which carriage 12 is traveling to complete the cycle in cooperation with catcher 16.

In Fig. 16, catcher 16 has fallen into contact with bar 174, and carriage 12 has been reversed in its direction of travel upon the table surface. Bars 174 and 176 still maintain their relative positions for a very short portion of their travel, at least until that catcher 16 has completed its removal of a fold 182 of material from bar 174. Then, by operations and mechanism to be described, foldforming element 48 is rotated by reversing mechanism 46. This stage is shown in full lines in Fig. 17. Finger 178 leaves pin 180; arms 1'70 rotate past pin 188, and bar 176 now moves into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 17, where it is in the lower position, and is now ahead of bar 174 in the direction in which the carriage is moving over the table.

It is important to follow the path of cloth 38 in these various positions. Although the cloth is being fed continuously substantially directly downwardly at all times from tensioning means 44, the cloth, in Fig. 15, is caused to assume almost a right angular bend to form a fold 182 positioned well in advance of bar 176. Yet despite the fact that the fabric still has the same path of movement directly downwardly from tensioning means 44 to fold-forming element 48, in Figs. 16 and 17, even as element 48 is reversed, the cloth assumes again substantially the same sharp fold formation, but in the opposite direction, when bar 176 presents the fold in the direction in which element 48 moves over the table surface after such reversal. At the end position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 17, finger 178 has again become engaged against pin 180, but now on the opposite side of the pin. Element 48 has not quite passed through a rota tion of 360 to effect this result. In each end position, the respective bar 174 or 176 is sufiiciently spaced in front of its associated bar 176 or 174 so that the particular catcher toward which it is travelling may properly coordinate therewith.

In order to impart the requisite rotation to element 48 in properly timed relationship to the different stages of travel of carriage 12 over the table, shaft 86, heretofore described as extending across the carriage, passes loosely through an opening 184 in frame member 50. At a position closely adjacent opening 184, a pivot pin 186 is fixed to frame member 50 to provide a support for an arm 188. At one end, arm 188 may provide a bearing for the end of shaft 86. Although arm 188 is pivoted, and thus will have slight arcuate movement, carrying the bearing of shaft 86 with it, this movement is slight enough, in relation to the distance between frame members 50 and 52 so that shaft 86 may rotate Without binding in its bearing on arm 188.

Mounted upon shaft 86 adjacent its end is a gear 190 which is free to rotate upon shaft 86 except as it is limited by means to be described. A collar 192 fixed to shaft 86 prevents lateral movement in one direction. A plate 194, pinned to shaft 86 on the side of gear 196 away from collar 192, prevents lateral movement in the other direction. A pair of pins 196 and 198 may be secured to plate 194 to extend inwardly from face 200 toward gear 190. Secured in end face 202 of gear 190 may be a plurality of pins 204, 206 and 208. A spring 210 may be distended between pins 198 and 208. Spring 210, tending to bring pins 198 and 208 toward each other, normally serves to cause plate 194 and gear 190 to move together as a single unit. Since plate 194 is secured to shaft 86, gear 190 normally would rotate with shaft 86. If, on the other hand, shaft 86 is rotating, and resistance be interposed to resultant movement of gear 190, gear 190 could be stopped against rotating with shaft 86 at least for a limited amount of movement of shaft 86. The result would be that spring 210 would become distended up to a predetermined limit which would be determined by engagement of pin 196 or with either pin 204 or 206, according to the direction of rotation of shaft 86.

The normal position (Fig. of gear 190 is where it is raised away from a gear 212 so that there is no driving connection between them. This is effected by elements associated with arm 188. Gear 212 is secured to a shaft 214 which is provided a bearing in frame member 50. Gear 212 is in line with gear 190, but, as just indicated, the two gears normally are out of engagement. To shaft 214 is also fastened a sprocket 216. A frame 218 is mounted to swing on shaft 214. Frame 218 functions as an arm, carrying a shaft 220 at its lower end. Upon shaft 220 are secured a pair of sprockets 222 and 224. Swingably mounted upon shaft 220 is an arm 226 the lower end of which pivots upon shaft 168. Upon shaft 168 is secured a sprocket 228.

A chain 230 is trained between sprockets 216 and 222; a chain 232 is trained between sprockets 224 and 228. As plates 138 and 140 rise and fall, under control of chain 145, frame 218 and arm 226 compensate for these changing positions while the ends of frame 218 and arm 226 swing upon the fixed pivots provided by shafts 214 and 168, respectively. Thus no change in the rotational position of fold-forming element 48 will result from the lifting and lowering of plates 138 and 140, and such rotational movement will occur only by rotation of gear 212. Shaft 168 may be extended beyond arm 226 to provide for securing thereto an operating handwheel 234. Thus it is possible to adjust the position of bars 174 and 176, if such necessity arises, when gears 190 and 212 are not enmeshed.

Gear 190, in Fig. 1, is shown lifted clear of gear 212 by arm 188 which has been moved to one of its limits of movement. At that end of arm 188 removed from the bearing for shaft 86, a pivot is provided for a link 236, which has an end 238 which fits into and is retained in a socket 240 in the upper end of a Y-shaped member 242. In socket 240, and against end 238, is retained a spring 244, the action of which is to tend to drive link 236 out ofsocket 240, and at least normally to engage the link against an end wall of the socket so that link 236 and member 242 will function as if they were of one piece.

Member 242 is Y-shaped, having arms 246 each of which is provided with a slot 248 at its lower end. Into slots 248 are engaged pins 250 and 252 carried upon a toggle plate 254. Plate 254 is pivoted at 256 upon a portion of frame 50. A pair of springs 258, substantially parallel to each other, extend between anchorages upon member 242 and anchorages upon plate 254. The anchorages for springs 258 on plate 254 are substantially equidistant from pivot 256. In the normal position (Fig. i

1), when plate 254 is held in balanced position by springs 258, plate 254 and member 242 are drawn toward each other so that pins 250 and 252 are in abutment against the closed ends of slots 248. The tendency of springs 258 is such that if plate 254 is moved out of this balanced state, the plate, when released from the unbalancing force, will tend to return to the position shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 2, plate 254 is shown moved out of the normal position. In such case, pin 250 is forced upwardly, while pin 252 moves downwardly almost out of its slot. The upward movement of pin 258 acts upon member 242 to lift it, and, through link 236, to rock arm 188. Arm 188 will cause gear 190 to approach and contact gear 212. If the gear teeth are set properly, the gears will intermesh. If the outer faces of the teeth strike, spring 244 will provide the necessary buffer so that the teeth will not be damaged. Since shaft 86 is rotating continuously during the movement of the teeth toward intermeshing relationship, the teeth of gear 190 will be displaced sutficiently so that the gears may, under the built up force in spring 244, fall into engagement. Also, spring 210 will permit a degree of displacement between shaft 86 and gear 198 if the teeth of the gears touch hard enough to stop rotation of gear 190 for a limited period. As will be seen further, there is a limited period in which gear 198 will be expected to rotate without actually driving gear 212. To prevent gear 198 from bottoming its teeth hard between the teeth of gears 212, a set-screw 268 is carried by an extension 262, and is positioned to engage the under face 264 of a portion of frame 58. When set-screw 268 engages face 264, gear 198 may not travel any deeper into gear 212; spring 244 takes up any additional force applied by member 242, the member moving with relation to link 236 for that purpose.

The rocking of plate 254 is effected by the movement of a bar 266 which is mounted to slide lengthwise with relation to the carriage. Bar 266 may be supported for such movement by being carried upon pins 268 which project from frame 50, and extend through slots 270 formed in the bar for that purpose. Bar 266 carries an angle iron 272 which provides a horizontal flat face 274. At the vertical leg of iron 272, a pin 276 is fixed and extends (Fig. 9) toward the frame, and engages in a slot 278 at the lower end of plate 254.

Bar 266 is in line with adjustable stops 280 which may be provided on each of catchers 16 and 18. When the carriage approaches a catcher, its stop 28th, which has been properly adjusted for that purpose, as, for instance, by means of adjusting screw and lock nut 282, stops further movement of bar 266 with the carriage. The carriage itself may continue to move, but bar 266 now slides upon pins 268. Pin 276, through its engagement in slot 278, rocks plate 254 upon its pivot 256, causing the plate to move sideways. The pin 250 or 252 (which may be either of the pins, depending upon the direction of movement of the carriage) which is moved upwardly by this rocking action, pushes against the end of its respective slot 248, and thereby lifts member 242, rocks arm 188, and thereby moves gear 190 into position to engage with gear 212.

However, at this time the carriage has not as yet come 11 to rest at the endof its movement into cooperation with the particular catcher, but continues its movement. No rotation should be imparted to fold-forming element 48 during this last part of the carriage travel, as well as during the initial interval as the carriage moves'away from that catcher to commence the next cycle. Also, as pointed out heretofore, gears 190 and 212 do not immediately intermesh in all cases. As shaft 86 continues to rotate in one direction as the carriage continues to move, gear 190 will be rotated to a position where its teeth necessarily will intermesh with the teeth of gear 212. Spring 210 will serve to prevent delivery of sufficient energy to cause gear 190 to rotate gear 212 during the motion of the carriage until it comes to a complete stop. Therefore, although a degree of rotation of shaft 86 and plate 194 may take place in this last portion of carriage movement, and also in the beginning portion as the carriage begins its movement away from the limit, that motion will not be sufficient to stress gear 190 to move gear 212 as pin 196 will not have come into engagement with either of pins 204 and 206.

On a bracket 286 forming a part of or secured to frame member 50 is located a pivot 288 upon which an arm 290 is pivotally mounted. Pins 292 and 294 may be secured on arm 290. A pair of bars 296 and 298 are provided with slots 300 and 302 adjacent their upper ends; these slots are fitted over pins 292 and 294 so that the bars may have limited movement with relation to the pins. Each bar also has a slot 304 at its lower end. Pins 386 and 388, secured to frame member 50, extend through slots 304. Bars 296 and 298 are intended to slide under gravitational force to effect certain of their functions. First, however, the relationship of finger 310, which extends from arm 290, should be considered.

Finger 310 may have a cam end 312 which is presented in proximity to face 314 of gear 212. A pair of pins 316 and 318 project from face 314; the pins are positioned so that, on rotation of gear 212 in one direction or the other, one or the other of pins 316 and 318 will rike finger 310. The particular pin 316 or 318 which is effective depends upon the direction of travel of the carriage; this is also true as to the particular 'bar' 296 or 293 which will be positioned to drop down in line with bar 266 to prevent its displacement from the position to which it has been moved by its engagement with the catcher.

After gear 198 has dropped into engagement with gear 212, and thereafter when the carriage is mov'ed in the direction of arrow 320 (Fig. 2), gear 212 will rotate in the direction indicated by arrow 322. In that case, pin 316 will move with gear 212 until it strikes cam end 312 (Fig. 2), lifting finger 310, and, with it, bar 298 which will have dropped on movement of bar 266. Pin 294, for this purpose, will rise until it engages the upper end of slot 302 in bar 298. The action of arm 290 in lift ng bar 29 8 is such that the lower end of bar 298 is lifted free of face 274 of angle iron 272. At the same time, pin 292 has been lowered, and no longer engages the upper end of slot 300, so that bar 296 now (Fig. 2a) rests upon face 274 and is ready for the operation of thercarriage after it reaches its catcher in the opposite direction of movement.

When the lower face of bar 298 is moved above face 274, the spring action resident in springs 258 is released, and plate 254 will be moved to its normally balanced position of Fig. 1, driving bar 266 beneath both bars 296 and 298.

Now bars 296 and 2.98 will remain in the positions just defined because finger 310 will remain engaged by pin 316, and since, when the parts have reached that position, gear 190 will automatically have been disengaged from gear 212, and the parts will remain so positioned until the next actuation of bar 266 by the stops at the catcher toward which the carriage is now moving.

In or der' to assure that am" 2% wilt atalltimes tend to return to abalanced condition, a spring 324 is extended from a point on arm 290 vertically above the centerof its pivot288 to an anchor point 326 on arm 188 directly vertically above the point of engagement with arm 290. Spring 324 will tend to counterbalance the small weight 'of finger 310, and permit gravity to have full play in the operation of bars 296 and 298 except where, as just described, the individual bar has been raised and is being held against dropping by its respective pin 292 or 294.

Now, when the carriage reaches the other catcher, bar 266 will be caused to'slide until bar 296 falls into position (Fig. 2b) to latch bar 266 against return. When the carriage is reversed in its, movement, pin 316 will move away'from cam end 312, releasing finger 310 so that bar 298' may'come to rest on face 274. Gear 212 will now rotate :in the direction opposite to its previous motion until pin 318 will engage cam end 312. The result'which now follows is that finger 310 is depressed. Bar 298 remains at rest on face 274, but pin v292 engages the end of its slot 300 to lift bar 296 free of angle iron 272 so that bar 266 may be retracted by toggle plate 254 under the action of springs 258.

The rotation of element 48 will have been completed as the gear 190 is disengaged from gear 212; element 48 will have moved under this control until its finger 178 engages pin 180.

Once gears 190 and 212 are engaged, and the carriagehas moved sufficiently away from the respective catcher, gear 190 will rotate sufiiciently relatively to plate 194 so that pin 196 will engage one or the other of pins 204 and 206, according to the direction of movement of the carirage, and against the action of spring 210 so that the gear 190 will then drive gear 212. The train of chains and sprockets will now cause shaft 168 to rotate, and with it, arm 170 and bars 174 and 176 of fold-forming element 48. Such rotation will comprise less thanacomplete revolution. The time during which gears and 212 remain intermeshed for this purpose is determined by finger 310 of arm 290, in the manner described. Each of catchers 16 and 18 may be constructed substantially in the same manner, except as it is necessary to provide for parts in positions reversed at the ends of the table, where the parts may be opposites in their form. In Figs. 12 and 13 catcher 16 is illustrated as having a base 328. A pair of ears 330 maybe provided adjacent the edge of base 328 to carry pins 332 for supporting an upright wal l 334 adjustably with relation to base 328. Such bases are disposed at opposite sides of the table; upright walls 334 are supported in position by means of stay rods 336 aswell as other rods to be described which may enter into the operation of the catcher. A

As a part of each upright wall 334 is a vertical substantially rectilinear opening 338 having opposed machined faces 340 and 342. Faces 340 and 342 are substantially parallehbut are displaced from each other. A pair of roller bearing wheels 3'44 and 346 carried'upon a rod 348 separately engage against faces340 and 342. Thus the wheels, rolling upon their respective faces, do

not engage an opposite face, and thus dragging is eliminated so that rod 348 positively will be guided in substantially a vertical path.

A link 350 at each side, pivoted to rod 348, extends upwardly to a pivot 352 at a position intermediate the length of a bar 354. Bar 354 at its rearmost point is pivotally carried upon a rod 356 which extends transversely of the catcher. Carried on rod 356 and depending therefrom is a link 358. At its lower end, link 358 is' carried upon stay rod 336. A stiffening rod'366 extends between links358 which are located at opposite sides of the catcher. Just above rod 336 at 362 is pivoted one end of a link 364 which has its other end supported -upo1rrod3'48. Thus is set up a substantially straight line 13 mechanism for transmission of the vertical movement of rod 348 in opening 338.

Across bars 354 may be extended a stifiening bar 366. Bars 354, beyond wall 334, are offset at 368 toward the table edge (Fig. 13). At the ends of bars 354 are pins 370 upon which are pivotally mounted brackets 372. Secured to brackets 372 and moving therewith are forwardly extending arms 374. Extending between the two arms 374 at the opposite sides of the table is a fiat bar 376. To the bottom face of bar 376 there may be secured, by any suitab'e means, a pad 378 of substantially compressible material, such as sponge rubber. This pad extends for the entire length of bar 376 and is substantially centrally disposed with relation to that bar, extending beyond the lateral edges of the bar (Fig. 13).

Carried by and fixed to rotate with rod 356 are brackets 380. From a pivot point 382 on each bracket 380 a link 384 extends forwardly to bracket 372 at which link 384 is provided a pivotal connection 386. By properly determining the length of link 384, and positioning pivot 382 with relation to the center of rod 356 in the same relation as pivotal connection 386 is located with relation to pivot pin 370, the bottom face 388 of pad 378 will be maintained substantially parallel to the table surface with which it is intended to cooperate.

Further to compensate for the movement of the members therewith associated, and to assure to as great a degree as possible a straight line movement of face 388 of pad 378 in a substantially vertical line is a link 390 pivoted to bracket 380 and to wall 334. The dimensions and positions are calculated so that bracket 380 is caused to move with definition so as to impart to link 384 the necessary motion so that face 388 not only will be parallel to the table top, but also will rise and fall substantially along a line perpendicular to the table top.

Pivot point 370 may be provided by a pin which extends to one side of link 384 to receive a roller 392 on its outer extension. As shown in Fig. 12, rollers 392 are in position to be engaged by the top face 394 of a pick-up finger 396. Fingers 396 are pivotally mounted in pairs (Fig. 4) upon pins 398 on plates 138 and 140. At the end 400 of the particular finger, a roller 402 is positioned so that, when plates 138 and 140 are at their lowermost positions, the finger may rest and roll easily upon the tabletop surface.

As plates 138 and 140 are lifted in the manner heretofore discussed, the fingers will hang downwardly, but will be limited in the degree to which they thus can depend. A stop lug 404 is provided upon each of plates 138 and 140, to receive a set-screw 406 threaded through the lug for adjustment with relation to a lug 408 on finger 396. The adjustment setting of screw 406 may be such as to provide the optimum angle for face 394 for engagement by roller 392, for guiding the roller properly up along face 394, in order to lift bar 376. Since bar 376 will be resting upon the folds of fabric which have been formed by element 48, it is essential that the lifting action be smooth and vertical, so that the folds will not be distorted out of the piled up condition, and so that, as the folds are liberated from the pressure of pad 378, no movement of the cloth will occur.

As carriage 12 approaches more closely to wall 334, bar 376 will be raised more and more, and rollers 392 will move closer and closer to positions just over pins 398. When the rollers reach that portion of face 394, the fingers will tip to a substantially horizontal position, at which time a set-screw 410 in lug 412 on plates 138 and 140 will limit the movement of the finger. Since screws 410 move in a vertical path, and, when fingers 396 are resting upon those screws, their movement vertically also involves a horizontal component, thus a degree of adjustment is effected in two directions. This two-directional adjustment is important in the next phase of the operation since, as shown in Fig. 15, when roller 392 reaches the end 14 edge 414 of finger 396, it will roll off the finger, carrying its associated parts with it. By means of the adjustment just mentioned, the position lengthwise of the table at which roller 392 carries pad 378 down into engagement with fold 182 on bar 174 or 176 may thus be determined by adjustmett of screw 410. Attention is directed to the relative positions of roller 392 and pad 378. Pad 378 is well in advance of the center of roller 392. Thus pad 378 is in position to fall upon the advanced bar 174 (or 176, dotted in Fig. 17) so that the parts of the catcher may not engage with the other parts of the fold-forming element Now as pad 378 falls as rollers 392 leave fingers 396, the fingers fall back to a position determined by screw 406, or by roller 402 coming to rest on the table top. Pad 378 falls upon the particular bar 174 or 176, according to whether the approach is as in Fig. 16, or as dotted in Fig. 17. Finally, with the pad 176 engaging the fold 182 of cloth upon the particular bar 174 or 176, the apparatus comes to a stop as the end portion 416 of the frame member engages an adjusted stop-screw 418 which may be provided in the particular catcher for that purpose.

In the operation where the carriage is now moved away from the particular catcher, bar 174 or 176 will remain in its adjusted angular position, but pad 378 wipes fold 182 off the bar. As element 48 moves further, pad 378, by reason of the weight of the bars and its own resiliency, retains the fold as it is wiped down upon the other piled up layers (Fig. 17). Continued movement of the carriage away from that catcher will finally bring into action the drive from gear 190 to gear 212, to rotate bars 174 and 176 properly to bring into a new position the necessary bar. Thus, immediately on leaving the catcher at which a fold has just been deposited, a new fold is immediately -ormed by fold-forming element 48. It is at this stage that, by reason of the rotation of bars, additional material becomes necessary. This additional material is not obtained by tension directly upon roll 36, but from the supply built up by tensioning means 44. A loop of fabric, built up from roll 70 over member 78, is drawn down rapidly merely by pulling arms 76 down under the tension of the fabric for that short space of time. Immediately thereafter, the positively driven roll 70, under this tensioning, builds up sufficient fabric to reinstate the loop which had been absorbed by the reversal of element 48.

At the upper end of opening 338, one face 340 ends in an upward slope 420. Face 342 ends in a slightly arcuate surface 422. Thus as wheels 344 and 346 are pushed to the top of opening 338, they will be turned in the direction of slope 420. Now only wheels 344 will sup-port all of the moving parts of the catcher which will have attained a vertical position. Now it is possible to move apparatus, such as the usual cutting knife, into place right up to the ends of the piled up layers without removing the catchers from the table after the spreading operation has been completed.

Cloth 38 (Fig. 15) is seen to be moving downwardly almost perpendicularly to the table surface. However, it bends around bar 176 and then flows around bar 174 in almost a per ect 180 turn. This position is maintained until fold 182 is clamped (Fig. 16). However, as the foldforming element 48 is reversed, this direction of movement is merely interchanged between bars 174 and 176, but the relative directions of travel of the cloth about the bars remain the same.

Many other changes could be effected in the particular constructions, and in the methods of use and construction, and in specific details thereof, hereinbefore set forth, without substantially departing from the invention intended to be defined herein, the specific description being merely of embodiments capable of illustrating certain principles of the invention.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, limits for determining the extent of'movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, the member comprising means for receiving the sheet material threaded therethrough from the carriage and for guiding the sheet material onto the surface to spread it as a layer thereon, the member comprising means for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided, means for reversing the member to present the fold-forming means in either of two directions, and means to actuate the reversing means substantially immediately as the carriage commences movement away from a limit and only to the extent necessary to dispose the foldforming means extending in the direction the carriage isfmoving away from said limit.

2. Ina sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, the member comprising a pair of spaced apart bars extending transversely of the carriage, the member being reversible between a pair of limits, the bars being disposed so that at one limit one bar is in advance of the other for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided and on reversal the other bar assumes the foldforming position, means for reversing the member, and means for actuating the reversing means substantally immediately as the carriage commences movement away from a limit to present one or the other selectively so that said selected bar is directed to form a fold in the direction the carriage is moving away from said limit and substantially continuously throughout movement in said direction.

- 3. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage -movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface. a single member on the carriage, the member comprisi 1g a pair of bars, means for supporting the bars to space them from each other and to hold them extended transversely of the carriage, means for actuating the supporting means selectively to present one bar in advance of the other in the direction of movement of the carriage, and means for energizing the actuating means after the cat'- riage has reached one of said limits and as it is moving away from that limit to reverse the bars with relation to each other in relation to the direction of movement of the carriage.

4. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to bespread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, limits for determining the extent of movementof the carriage over the surface, a single memberon theoarriage, the member comprising a pair of bars, means for supporting the bars to space them from each other and to hold them extended transversely of the carriage, means for actuating the supporting means selectively to present one bar lower than the other and in advance of said other bar in the direction of movement of the carriage, and means for energizing the actuating means after the carriage has reached one of said limits and as it is moving away from that limit a to reverse the bars with relation to each other in relation to the direction of movement of the carriage.

5."In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage overthe surface, a

single member on the carriage, the member comprising a pair of bars, means for supporting the bars to space them from each other and to hold them extended'transversely of the carriage, the supporting means being movable between limits to position either one or the other of the bars in aposition lower than the other bar, means for moving the supporting means selectively to present one of the bars in advance of the other, and means for energizing the moving means after the carriage has reached one of said limits to reverse the bars so that the bars alternately are presented in advance of each other according to the direction of travel as the carriage commences movement from a limit.

6. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the'surface, a single member on the carriage, the member comprising a pair of bars, means for supporting the bars to space them from each other and to hold them extended transversely of the carriage, the supporting means being movable between limits to position either one or the other of the bars in a position closer to the layers of sheet material on the table, means for moving the supporting means selectively to present one of the bars closer to the layers of sheet material on the table than and in advance of the other, and means for energizing the moving means after the carriage has reached one of said limits to reverse the bars so that the bars alternately are presented in advance of each other as the carriage commences movement from that limit with one of the bars closer to the layers of sheet material on the table according to the direction of travel of the carriage.

7. In a machine for relatively tensionless spreading of sheet material upon a surface, the machine including a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, a wrap roll between the supply and the member, a bar, means for balancing the bar for swinging movement, the bar being positioned between the wrap roll and the member, the sheet material being threaded from the supply to the wrap roll and from the wrap roll to the bar and from the bar to the member, the member comprising means for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided, and means for causing the member to move with relation to the carriage substantially immediately as the carriage commences movement away from a limit to cause the fold-forming means to extend the fold being formed thereby in the direction the carriage is moving away from said limit.

8. In a machine for relatively tensionless spreading of sheet material upon a surface, the machine including a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be-spread in superimposed layers'of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, the member comprising means for receiving the sheet material threaded therethrough from the supply and for guiding the sheet material onto the surface to spread it as a layer thereon, a wrap roll between the supply and the member, a bar, means for balancing the bar for swinging movement, the bar being positioned between the wrap roll and the member, the sheet material being threaded from the supply to the wrap roll and from the wrap roll to the bar and from the bar to the member, the member comprising means for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and'for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided, and

17 means for setting the member to cause the fold-forming means to extend the fold being formed thereby in the direction the carriage is moving away from a limit.

9. In a machine for relatively tensionless spreading of sheet material upon a surface, the machine including a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, a wrap roll between the supply and the member, a bar, means for balancing the bar for swinging movement, the bar being positioned between the wrap roll and the member, the sheet material being threaded from the supply to the wrap roll and from the wrap roll to the bar and from the bar to the member, the member comprising a pair of spaced apart bars extending transversely of the carriage, the member being reversible between a pair of limits, the bars being disposed so that at one limit one bar is in advance of the other for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided and on reversal the other bar assumes the fold-forming position, means for reversing the member, and means for actuating the reversing means substantially immediately as the carriage commences movement away from a limit to present one or the other selectively so that said selected bar is directed to form a fold in the direction the carriage is moving away from said limit and substantially continuously throughout movement in such direction.

10. In a machine for relatively tensionless spreading of sheet material upon a surface, the machine including a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, a wrap roll between the supply and the member, a bar, means for balancing the bar for swinging movement, the bar being positioned between the wrap roll and the member, the member comprising a pair of bars, the member bars extending transversely of the carriage and being spaced from each other, the member being reversible between a pair of limits, the sheet material being threaded from the supply to the wrap roll, then to the balanced bar, and then between and around both of said member bars, the member bars providing means alternately for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided, and means for setting the member selectively to make the member bars alternately effective to form a fold in the guided sheet material substantially immediately as the carriage commences movement away from a limit and according to the direction of movement of the carriage, the member bars constituting means to feed the guided sheet material substantially continuously in the direction the carriage is moving away from said limit.

11. In a machine for relatively tensionless spreading of sheet material upon a surface, the machine including a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, a wrap roll between the supply and the member, a bar, means for balancing the bar for swinging movement, the bar being positioned between the wrap roll and the member, the member comprising a pair of bars, means supporting the member bars spaced from each other and extending transversely of the carriage, means for reversing the supporting means to position one or the other of the member bars closely adjacent the surface to form a fold in the sheet 18 material and to present the fold immediately adjacent the surface, the sheet material being threaded from the supply to the wrap roll, then to the balanced bar, and then between the member bars, and means for actuating the reversing means to select the one or the other of the member bars effective to form a fold in the guided sheet material substantially immediately as the carriage commences movement away from a limit in accordance with the limit from which the carriage is moving, the member bars comprising means to feed the guided sheet material substantially continuously in the direction the carriage is moving away from said limit.

12. In a sheet material spreading machine,-a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, vertically adjustable carrier means at the sides of the carriage, rocker arms pivotally mounted on the carrier means, a pair of rods secured to and extending between the rocker arms, the rocker arms and the rods being rotatable, limits for determining the position of the rods at the end of such rotation, one rod being adjacent the superimposed layers and below and in advanceof the other of the pair, at one limit and the other rod assuming that relationship at the other limit the sheet material being extended from the supply between the rods to the layers disposed upon the surface, the advanced rod providing means for forming a fold in the sheet material adjacent the superimposed layers on the surface, and means for rotating the rocker arms alternately to the limits.

13. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, vertically adjustable carrier means at the sides of the carriage, rocker arms pivotally mounted on the carrier means, a pair of rods secured to and extending between the rocker arms, the rocker arms and the rods being rotatable, and a single limit for the rotation of the arms the limit determining the position of the rods at the end of rotation in either direction one rod being adjacent the superimposed layers and below and in advance of the other rod at one end of rotation and the other rod assuming that relationship at the other end of rotation, the sheet material being extended from the supply between the rods to the layers disposed upon the surface, the advanced rod providing means for forming a fold in the sheet material adjacent the superimposed layers on the surface, and means for rotating the rocker arms alternately to the limits.

14. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for de termining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a fold-forming member carried by the carriage, the member including a pair of bars extending transversely of the carriage with one of the bars advanced in the direction of movement of the carriage and disposed below and closer to the surface than the other bar, means for imparting rotation to the bars, the rotation-imparting means being normally inoperative, and means for actuating the rotation-imparting means as the-carriage moves up to and comes within a predetermined distance to the limit, the activating means including lost motion means to prevent rotation of the rotation-imparting means during the last part of the movement as the carriage comes up to said limit but to cause rotation of the rotation-imparting means as the carriage thereafter moves away from that limit.

l5.In a sheet'material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits-for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a fold-forming member carried by the carriage, the member including a pair of bars extending transverse- 1y of the carriage with one of the bars advanced in the direction of movement of, the carriage and disposed below and closer to the surface than the other bar, means for imparting rotation to the bars, the rotation-imparting means being normally inoperative, and means for activat- 'ing the rotation-imparting means as the carriage moves up to and comes within a predetermined distance to the limit, the activating means including lost motion means to prevent rotation of the rotation-imparting means during the last part of the movement as the carriage comes up to said limit but to cause rotation of the rotation-imparting means as the carriage thereafter moves away from that limit, the rotation-imparting means comprising means to-rotate the bars as the carriage moves away from that limit and positioning the other bar in the advanced and lower position for the new direction of movement.

16. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a fold-forming member carried by the carriage, the member including a pair of bars extending transversely of the carriage with one of the bars advanced in the direction of movement of the carriage and disposed below and closer to the surface than the other bar, means for imparting rotation to the bars, the rotation-imparting means being normally inoperative, means for activating the rotation-imparting means as the carriage moves up to and comes within a predetermined distance to the limit, the activating means including lost motion means to prevent rotation of the rotation-imparting means during the last part of the movement as the carriage comes up to said limit but to cause rotation of the rotation-imparting means as the carriage thereafter moves away from that limit, the rotation-imparting means comprising means to rotate the bars as'the carriage moves away from a limit and to position the othervbar in the advanced and lower position for the new direction of movement, and means for disengaging the activating means on predetermined rotation of the bars.

-17. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting'a supply'of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a fold-forming member carried by the carriage, the member including a pair of bars of substantially convexly rounded cross-section, the bars extending transversely of the carriage with one of the bars advanced in the direction of movement of the carriage and disposed below and closer to the surface than the other bar, means at each of the limits for engaging a fold of sheet material upon the advanced bar and for wiping the fold oif the bar as the carriage moves'the bar away from the limit, means for imparting rotation to the bars, the rotation-imparting means being normally inoperative, and means for activating the rotationrimparting means as the carriage moves up to and comes within a predetermined distance to thetlimit, the activating means including lost motion means -to prevent rotation of the rotation-imparting means during the last parttofzthe movement as the carriage comesup to saidlimitbut to cause. rotation of theretationdmparting means as ,thecarriagethereatter moves away from a limit,

18. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers'of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a fold-forming member carried by the carriage, the member including a pair of bars substantially circular in cross-section, the bars extendingtransversely of ,the carriage withlone of the bars advancedin thedirection of movement of the carriageand disposed below and closer to the surface thanthe other bar, means at eachof ,the limits for engaging a fold of sheet material upon the advanced bar andvfor wiping thetfold off the. bar 'asthe carriage moves the bar away from the limit, means for imparting rotation to the bars, the rotation-imparting means being normally inoperative, and means for activating the rotation-imparting means as the carriage moves up to and comes within a predetermined distance to the lirnit, the activating means including lost motion means to prevent rotation of the rotation-imparting means during the last part of the movement as the carriage comes up to said limit but to cause rotation of the rotation-imparting means after the fold-engaging means has wiped the fold off the extended bar as the carriage thereafter moves away from a limit.

19. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to, be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a fold-forming member carried by the carriage, including a pair of bars, the bars extending transversely of the carriage with one of the'bars advanced in-thedirection of movement of'the carriage and disposed below and closer to the surface than the other bar, means at each of the limits for engaging a fold of sheet material upon the advanced bar and for wiping the fold off the bar as the carriage moves the bar away from the limit, means for imparting rotation to the bars, the rotation-imparting means being normally inoperative, and means for activating the rotation-imparting means as the carriage moves up to and comes within a predetermined distance to the limit, theractivating means including lost motion means to prevent rotation of the rotation-imparting means during the last part of the movement as thecarriage comes up 'to said limit but to cause rotation of they rotation-imparting means after the fold-engaging means haswiped the fold off the-extended bar as the carriage thereafter moves away from. a limit, the activating means comprising means to cause the rotation-imparting means to rotate the bars immediately after the fold-engaging means has wiped the fold off the extended bar as" the carriage moves away from the limit and position the other bar in the lower position and advanced in the new direction of movement.

20. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a-surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same'extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over thesurface, a fold-forming member carried by the carriage, the membervincluding a pair of bars of substantially convexlyrounded cross-section, the bars extending transversely of the carriage with one of the bars advanced. in the direction of movement ofthe carriage and disposed below and closer to-the surface than the other bar, meansat each of the limitsfor engaging a fold of'sheetmaterial upon the advanced bar and for wiping the fold offjthe bar as the carriage movesthe bar away from the limit, the fold-engaging means including a flat facedmember to come to rest upon the advanced bar, means for. imparting rotationto the bars, therotation-imparting means being normally inoperative, and means for activati-ng ,thel rotation imparting means as thecarriage moves up to and comes within a predetermined distance to the limit, the activating means including lost motion means to prevent rotation of the rotation-imparting means during the last part of the movement as the carriage comes up to said limit but to cause rotation of the rotation-imparting means as the carriage thereafter moves away from a limit.

21. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a fold-forming member carried by the carriage, the member including a pair of bars of substantially convexly rounded cross-section, the bars extending transversely of the carriage with one of the bars advanced in the direction of movement of the carriage and disposed below and closer to the surface than the other bar, means at each of the limits for engaging a fold of sheet material upon the advanced bar and for wiping the fold off the bar as the carriage moves the bar away from the limit, the fold-engaging means including a fiat faced member having a facing of friction material, the facing being disposed to come to rest upon the advanced bar, means for imparting rotation to the bars, the rotation-imparting means being normally inoperative, and means for activating the rotation-imparting means as the carriage moves up to and comes within a predetermined distance to the limit, the activating means including lost motion means to prevent rotation of the rotation-imparting means during the last part of the movement as the carriage comes up to said limit but to cause rotation of the rotation-imparting means as the carriage thereafter moves away from a limit.

22. In a machine for relatively tensionless spreading of sheet material upon a surface, the machine including a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is tobe spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, at least one wheel carried by the carriage and rotated by contact with the surface as the carriage moves over the surface, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, a wrap roll between the supply and the member, a bar, means for balancing the bar for swinging movement, the bar being positioned between the wrap roll and the member, the sheet material being threaded from the supply to the wrap roll and from the wrap roll to the bar and then to the member, the member comprising means for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided, means for moving the member substantially immediately as the carriage commences movement away from a limit to direct the fold-forming means in the direction the carriage is moving away from said limit, and means driven by the wheel for rotating the wrap roll continuously in one direction and for energizing the member-moving means.

23. In a machine for relatively tensionless spreading of sheet material upon a surface, the machine including a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, the member comprising means for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided, means between the supply and the member for'imparting positive feeding force to the sheet material for drawing it from the supply and delivering it to the member, means for moving the member substantially immediately as the carriage commences movement 22 away from a limit to direct the fold-forming means in the direction the carriage is moving away from said limit, a wheel driven by movement of the carriage over the surface, means for coupling the wheel to the positive-feeding-force means to feed sheet material always in the same direction whichever direction the carriage may be moving, and means for coupling the wheel to drive the member-moving means for only a short portion of the movement of the carriage in moving away from a finished fold at a limit of travel.

24. In a machine for relatively tensionless spreading of sheet material upon a surface, the machine including a carriage movable over a surface upon which sheet material from the carriage is to be spread in superimposed layers of substantially the same extent, the carriage having means for supporting a supply of sheet material, limits for determining the extent of movement of the carriage over the surface, a single member on the carriage, the member comprising means for forming a fold in the sheet material being spread and for presenting the fold adjacent the surface to which the sheet material is being guided, means between the supply and the member for imparting positive feeding force to the sheet material for drawing it from the supply and delivering it to the member, means for moving the member substantially immediately as the carriage commences movement away from a limit to direct the fold-forming means in the direction the carriage is moving away from said limit, a wheel driven by movement of the carriage over the surface, means for coupling the wheel to the positive-feedingforce means to feed sheet material always in the same direction whichever direction the carriage may be moving, and means made effective when the carriage is at the end of its travel toward one of the limits for coupling the wheel to the member-moving means to cause the member to reverse its position in a short portion of the movement of the carriage to the direction of new move ment of the carriage as the carriage draws the sheet material away from said limit.

25. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage for movement back and forth over a table, a fold-forming member, the member being supported on the carriage to be reversible and for positioning to direct a fold of material in the direction the carriage is moving over the table, means for reversing the member to position it to direct the fold being formed thereby in the direction of movement of the carriage, the reversing means including a gear, a shaft carrying a pinion, means driven according to the direction of movement of the carriage for rotating the shaft, means for moving the pinion and the gear into engagement, the moving means including a resiliently retracted element, catch means for holding the moving means so that gear and pinion may remain engaged, and means to make the catch means ineffective when the carriage has moved sufiiciently to reverse the member.

26. In a sheet material spreading machine, a carriage for movement back and forth over a table, a fold-forming member, the member being supported on the carriage to be reversible and for positioning to direct a fold of material in the direction the carriage is moving over the table, means for reversing the member to position it to direct the fold being formed thereby in the direction of movement of the carriage, the reversing means including a gear, a shaft carrying a pinion, means driven according to the direction of movement of the carriage for rotating the shaft, means for moving the pinion and the gear into engagement, the pinion and the shaft having means to permit limited rotation of the shaft without effecting rotation of the gear, the moving means including a resiliently retracted element, catch means for holding the moving means so that gear and pinion may remain engaged, and means to make the catch means ineffective when the carriage has moved sufficiently to reverse the member.

being rotatablyimounted on the carriage, and stop means on the carriage tolirnit rotation of the supports, the stop means being positioned so that the bars, when the supports are against the stops means, will be located one below the other but thetlower onein advance of the upper one-inthe direction of movement of the carriage.

28. In' a sheet material spreading machine, a-carriage .for movement back and forth over atable; a fold-forming member, means for mounting the member on the carriage for rotation with relation to the, carriage, the member comprising a pair of bars, the mounting means including a pair ofsupports for the bars, the supports being rotatahly mounted on the carriage, and stop means on the carriage to limit rotation of the supports, the stop vmeans being positioned so that the bars, when the supports are against the stop means, will be located one below the other but the lower one in advance of the upper onein'the direction of movement of the carriage, a clamp plate mounted for movement with relation to the table, and an elevating device on the carriage or lifting the clamp plate relatively to thetable, the device being positioned so that the clamp plate may fall upon and engage sheet material disposed around the advanced and lower bar.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 630,189 Dauvergne .Aug. 1, 1899 1,333,459 Soylian Mar. 9, 1920 2,162,879 Breth d, June 20, v.1939 2,442,352 Gilbert V.. .Iune 1, 1948 2,539,722 Booth 'Jan. 30, }1951 2,615,712 Springer Oct. 28, 1952 2,732,202 Obedin Jan. 24,1956

' FOREIGN PATENTS 963 Great Britain Jan.12,119-,l2 of 1912 666,426 Great Britain Feb. 13, 1952

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