US3077167A

US3077167A - Apparatus for synchronizing stitchings with longitudinally spaced workpieces and with the formation of workpieces

Info

Publication number: US3077167A
Application number: US758706A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis H Morin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-09-03
Filing date: 1958-09-03
Publication date: 1963-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1980-02-12

Description

Feb. 12, 1963 H. MORIN 3,077,167

APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY 'SPACED WORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECES' Filed Sept. 3, 1958 Sheets-Sheet l Iffrlllllll hzll al INVENTOR. LOUIS H. MORIN ATTORNEY Feb. 12, 1963 L. H. MORIN 3,077,167

ARATUs FOR sYNcHHoNT G sTTTc Gs wTTH LONGTTUDTNALLY woRKPTEcEs AND TH THE MATToN oF woRKPIEcEs PACED Filed Sept. 3, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 /04 INVENTOR. Z4 Louis H. MORIN ATTORNEY Feb. l2, 1963 L. H. MORIN 3,077,167

APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY SPACED WORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECES Filed Sept. 3. 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Lc/uls H. Monm ATTORNEY Feb. l2, 1963 ILZI 3,077,167

H. MORIN APP TUS FOR SYNCHRON NG STITCI-IINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY S E ORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECE '7 Shee'cset 4 Filed Sept. 5, l

niiau l 26 Ul 4 /05 2 /04 /05 92 INVENTOR.

LOUIS H. MOR N ATTORNE Y Feb. 12, 1963 l.. H. MORIN 3,077,167

APPARATUS FOR sy Rom G sTIT NGS wrm LONGITUDINALLY CED woRKPIE 1E Filed sept. 195e CES AND TH THE RMATION OF WORKP 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 0 LOUIS MOR|N 9/ ATTORN EY Feb. 12, 1963 L. H. MORIN 3,077,167

. APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY SPACED WORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECES Filed Sept. 3, 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. LOUIS H. MORIN ATTORNEY Feb. 12, 1963 H. MORIN 3,077,167

APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY SPACED WORKPIECES AND WITH THE FORMATION OF WORKPIECES Filed Sept. 3. 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 VA vw -A V//x//V INVENTOR. LOUIS `H. MORIN ATTQRNEY United States Patent Gt p 3,077,167 Patented Feb. 12, 1963 ice APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING STITCHINGS WITH LONGITUDINALLY S P A C E D WORK- PIECES AND WITH THE FURMATIGN F WORK- PIECES Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N.Y., assigner to Coats & Clark Inc. Filed Sept. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 758,706 10 Ciaims. (Cl. 112-2) This invention relates to an improvement in sewing machines and to a coupling with a casting machine, whereby longitudinally spaced workpieces, such for example as the scoops of a Stringer, as well as the cover tape or tapes, can be stitched in a continuous operation. More particularly, the invention deals with ya method and struc-l ture, wherein means is provided to synchronize needle Voperation with feed of the workpieces or scoops in order to accurately position the workpieces with respect to the needle.

Still further, the invention deals with a method and apparatus of the character described, wherein means is provided to synchronize the operation of the sewing machine with the casting machine, so as to provide a consistent operation of the sewing machine with production of the scoops on a separable fastener stringer by the casting machine.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide means for breaking the synchronized drive between the casting machine and the sewing machine and to speed-up the operation of the sewing machine to maintain, at all times, a substantially consistent synchronized operation in production of the resulting end product.

Thenovel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic outline of part of a standard sewing machine showing my improved synchonized mechanism arranged thereon, parts of the construction being in section and broken away.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional plan substantially on the line 2 2 of FIG. l, omitting background showing, the gears of FIG. l being diagrammatically illustrated in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view generally along the line 3 3 of FIG. l and illustrating part of the background showing in perspective.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating portions of workpieces and indicating the means for synchronizing movement of workpieces with respect to the needle of the sewing machine.

FIG. 5 is a section substantially `on the broken line 5-5 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a section substantially on the broken line 6--6 of FIG. 5 and omitting part of the showing of FIG. 5, with the needle in its lower-most position.

FIG. 7 is anenlarged `diagrammatic View illustrating engagement and feed of workpieces in the synchronized feed thereof.

FIG. 8 is a View, similar to FIG, 7, illustrating anothe operation which might prevail in the automatic synchronized feed of the workpieces.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective View of a modified form of construction which I employ in providing the synchronized feed 'of the workpiece, parts of the construction being broken away and in section.

FIG. 10 is la partial detail perspective view of the workpiece. engaging plate or member employed in the structure shown in FIG. 9';

FIG. ll is an enlarged sectional detail view, substantially on the line 11-11 of FIG. 9, the fabric workpiece parts being illustrated in dotted section to clearly distinguish the same from the metallic parts.

FIG. l2 is a sectional view through another type of synchronized feed which I employ, diagrammatically illustrating its engagement with the workpiece.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional detail view of a part of the construction shown in FIG. l2, illustrating fabric workpieces in dotted section to distinguish clearly from the metallic parts.

FIG. 14 is `an enlarged sectional view through a pair of finished end products, namely separable fastener stringers, in coupled relationship Within a slider body and diagrammatically illustrating the stitchings for attachment of the cover tapes or ribbons to the scoops of the separable fastener stringers.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view to illustrate generally the synchonized coupling between the sewing machine and the casting machine and transfer `of the workpiece or Stringer from one machine to the other in the synchronized production of the resulting end product; and

FIG. i6 is a diagrammatic perspective View of a modication of the structure shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

In illustrating one adaptation and use of my invention, I have shown throughout the accompanying drawings the method tof producing separable fastener stringers, wherein cover tapes or ribbons are stitched to one or opposed sides of the scoops of the stringers to substantially conceal the scoops and, turning to FIG. 14, here is illustrated a section through two simil-ar stringers 20, 2W, having

scoops

21, 21 cast or molded upon the

beaded edges

22, 22 of the stringers. At 23, 23 are shown upper tapes or ribbons and vat 24, 24' are shown lower tapes or ribbons. These ribbons are stitched to the respective stringers by stitchings, as :at 25, 25.

With the construction as shown, for example, in FIGS` 4 and 6 of the drawing, the stitchings pass through apertures 26 formed in that part of the scoops disposed over the bead of the Stringer tape and, in FIG. 4, 22 can repre,- sent the bead of the tape 20 and tapes or ribbons 'are indicated at 23 and 24. These same references will be applied to the showing of the stringers and scoops throughout the several views.

In FIG. 14, I have diagrammatically shown, in section, at 27, 27 the upper and lower walls of a slider used in coupling and uncoupling the stringers 20, 20'.

Now, turning to FIG. 15, here is an extremely diagrammatic showing of the synchronized operation between a casting station and a stitching or sewing station in order to clearly portray the method of operation. In this figure, 23 represents diagrammatically a casting machine, the relatively movable dies of which are noted. at 29 for forming the scoops 21 on the Stringer tape 2t), the tape being fed and guided to the dies 29 by suitable means and is supplied from a large container or receptacle 30.

At 31 is indicated another container or receptacle, into which the stringers pass from the casting stationand, then, are withdrawn and pass through a long guide tube 32 to a point 33 closely adjacent the stitching mechanism 34 of a modied sewing machine 35 constituting the sewing or stitching station. At 36 is indicated diagrammatically the belt for driving the machine 35 through a hand operated clutch 37, the function of which is to provide a direct ldrive of the machine 35 as and when high speed operation is desired or to clutch into a coupling linkage 38 in operative engagement with the drive of the casting machine, so as to synchronize operation of the sewing machine 35 with the production of scoops 21 on the Stringer tape 20. Here, it is to be kept in mind that, in some instances, individual scoops are formed in each cycle yof operation of the machine; whereas, in other instances, groups of scoops are simultaneously formed on the stringer tape in each cycle of operation of lthe machine. For example, ten or more scoops can be formed. In all instances, the speed of operation of the sewing machine 35 will be consistent with the formation of scoops on the Stringer tape.

Turning now to the illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 8, and, particularly, consideration FIG. l, I have shown the modification of or attachment to a typical yhigh speed sewing machine, the needle of which is shown at 39. At 40` is illustrated `the lower bobbin and mechanism rotating shaft, to which I have applied an extension 41, on which is mounted a sprocket 42 with a chain drive, partially indicated at 43 for actuating another sprocket 44 on an auxiliary drive shaft I45. One end of the shaft 45 is mounted in a self-alining bearing 46 supported in a suitable bracket 47 coupled with an adjacent portion of the frame of the sewing machine, this frame being apertured, as seen at 48, for reception vof the shaft 45.

In the mounting of the bracket 47,

suitable studs

49, 49 are employed in order to maintain proper alined position of the bracket 47. The other end of the shaft 45 is mounted in another similar bearing 50 supported in a bracket or bearing block 51 supported upon the table of the sewing machine.

At the end of the shaft 45 is a miter gear 52, which meshes with a similar gear 53 mounted on a vertical shaft 54. It is ldiagrammatically noted that -the

gears

52, 53 are of lzl ratio, as are also the sprockets 42, 44.

By virtue of this construction, it will be apparent that, 1

in each cycle of operation of the needle 39 or, in other words, rotation of the shaft 40, the shaft 54 will complete one rotary movement.

The shaft 54 is mounted in a bearing 55 in a housing 56 of my attachment and the bearing 55 is of a thrusttype to resist downward thrust upon t-he gear 53. Arranged in the housing 56 are

other bearings

57, 57', 57, the shaft 54 being disposed in the bearing 57.

Arranged in the bearings 57', 57" are

studs

58, 58 integral with gears 59 and 60, respectively. The gear 59 constitutes an idler positioned between the gear 60 and a gear 61 `on the shaft 54. These gears are illustrated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

By virtue of the gearing employed, it will appear that the gears 60, 61 are rotated in one common direction and consistent with :rotation of the shaft 46, so as to provide, as will later appear, the desired feed motion to the feed of the Stringer tape, consistent with the stitching operation.

Considering FIG. 1 of the drawing, it will appear that the gear 60 has an integral eccentric stud 62 and the gear 61 has a corresponding eccentric stud 63. These studs are shown in section in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

Considering FIG. 2 of the drawing, it will appear that the eccentrics 62 and 63 operate in

shoes

64 and 65, respectively, shown in section in FIG. 2 for clear illustration and these shoes operate in

apertures

66 and 67 of a workpiece feed slide or member 68. The

apertures

66 and 67 have, at the forward end of the slide, clearance spaces, as at 66', 67' for movement of the

shoes

64 and 65 for operation of the slide 68. At 69 is shown a stud at the inner contracted end of the slide, with which is coupled a spring 70, the other end of which is coupled with a bracket 71 fixed to the bearing block 51, as noted in FIG. l of the drawing. This spring serves to urge the slide 68 against the

walls

64 and 65 `of the

shoes

64, 65.

Considering FIGS. l, 2 and 4, it will appear that the housing 56 is recessed on its lower surface, as indicated at 72, for reception of the slide 68, the housing including a bottom plate 56', clearly noted in FIG. 4 of the drawing, and four screws 73 are employed operating in elongated slots 74 in the housing 56 and plate 56 for adjustable support of the housing on the baseplate of the machine 35.

Now considering FIG. 2 of the drawing, it will appear that, when the slide 68 is at its extreme righthand position,

as shown in said figure, a clearance still prevails between the side of the slide and the wall of the housing 56, as indicated at 75. It will also be apparent that, when the slide 68 moves `to the left, a similar clearance will prevail between the slide and the wall 75 of the housing 56.

'In the cycle of operation of the slide 68, any point on the slide will describe a complete circular motion and, in FIGS. 7 and 8, these circular motions are diagrammatically illustrated by the dot-dash lines 76 in FIG. 7 and the similar line 76' in FIG. 8.

Adjustably xed to what can be termed the forward end of the slide 68 is a workpiece actuating finger or element 77, adjustment being through the medium of screws 78 operating in elongated apertures 79, as clearly noted in FIG. 4 of the drawing. The element 77 has, at its forward end, a plurality of rounded ngers 86, which are adapted to enter spaces between the scoops 21, as clearly noted in FIG. 4 and also diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

Considering the diagrammatic showing of FIG. 3 of the drawing, here is illustrated the workpiece feed bar 81 of the sewing machine, which is coupled with a rocker shaft 82 through the link S3. The shaft 82 is actuated by an eccentrically operated rod 84 from the shaft 40. This operation is not shown, as it is standard equipment of the sewing machine. The rod 84 has a yoke end 85, in which a shoe or box 86 is slidably mounted, the latter having a link coupling with the shaft 82, as seen at 87.

Also supported in the yoke 85 is a spring 88 which normally urges the box 86 in engagement with the surface 89 of the yoke. This construction provides the forward and reverse feed of the feed bar 81, the forward feed being in the direction of the arrow 90 of FIG. 3.

Supported upon the bar 81 are a pair of

feed dogs

91, 91 operating in elongated slots in a plate 92 secured to the bed or table of the sewing machine. The bar 81 is also moved upwardly and downwardly in withdrawing the

dogs

91, 91 from the apertures of the plate 92 in the backward movement of the bar 81, in other words, in a direction opposed to the arrow 9). For this purpose, the usual oscillating shaft 93 is employed at the opposed side of the machine and actuated again by an eccentric on the shaft 40, not shown, the eccentric actuating a rod 94 pivoted to a lever 95 on the shaft 93 and also on this shaft is another lever 96 linked, as seen at 97, to the other end of the feed bar 81, this construction providing the upward and downward movement of the bar while said bar is fed forwardly and backwardly, as with other machines of this type and kind.

At this time, attention is directed to the fact that the sectional view through the feed bar 81 and the

dogs

91, 91 is clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower portion of the standard spring-loaded presser foot of the sewing machine is illustrated at 98, the support for the foot being indicated, in part, at 99.

The foot is modified to form a channel 100 of the irregular contour shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing, namely to receive a part of the scoops, as well as the tape or ribbon 23. The presser foot 98 has, at one side thereof, a flange 101 shown in section in FIG. 5 and also indicated in FIG. 6 for abutting the inner mounting end portion of the scoops.

Considering FIG. 5 of the drawing, it will appear that the plate 92 is a special throat plate and this plate has apertures for reception of the feed dogs 91, 91' and also is grooved, as seen at 102, to receive the scoops of the Stringer.

The plate 92 also has a long channel or recess 103 for reception of the lower tape or ribbon 24, as clearly noted in FIG. 6 of the drawing. The elongated aperture, in which the dog 91 operates, is diagrammatically illustrated at 104 in FIG. 6 of the drawing. The plate 92 also. includes an aperture 105 for admission of the tape or ribbon 24 and, as will be noted in FIG. 6, a similar aperture 106 is provided in the presser foot 98. The presser foot also includes an aperture 107 for reception of the needle 39.

In FIG. 6, the needle is shown diagrammatically in its position passing through one of the apertures 26 of one of the scoops 21 of the Stringer 20. It will be understood, in this connection, that the apertures 26 are suiiiciently large for passage of the needle and the thread through the aperture in the stitching operation, the showing of FIG. 6 and other figures being diagrammatic in this respect.

At this time, it might be well to mention that, in normal operation, the feed dogs rise and engage the Stringer in feeding the same forwardly, which would `be inthe direction of the arrow 9@ in FIG. 3, or in the direction of the arrow 96 of FIG. 6. However, if for any reason, the workpiece, namely the Stringer, is held from moving in the forward direction, then the spring 88 will yield until such time as the feed dog is moved downwardly, thus releasing the gripping pressure on the workpiece.

The box 86 will then snap back, so as to contact the surface 89 and, thus, be in its correct starting position, ready for the next cycle of operation. This is an irnportant function of the apparatus, as will appear from a later description.

In the above described operation of the workpiece, namely the Stringer together with the tapes or ribbons, the operation of the element 77, with the fingers 80 thereon, is so arranged and timed that the ngers 8i) enter the spaces between the scoops, as noted in FIG. 4, so that, when the plate l68 scribes its circular orbit, the fingers 80 are moved forwardly into engagement with the scoops and in the direction of the feed of the tape by the

dogs

91, 91 at approximately the same speed as the tape is fed by the dogs. The term approximately is used in lieu of the fact that it is quite apparent that no matter how accurately the tape is fed by the dogs 91, 91', there is likely to prevail an accumulation of feed or a decrease of feed. Eif there should be a decrease of the feed, itis quite obvious that the needle 39 will not aline with the aperture 26 in the scoop. 'It is `apparent that this alinement and registration must be maintained. This is overcome by the positive feed of the scoops with respect to the needle, so that each scoop is fed for accurately positioning the aperture 26 beneath the needle, consistent with the stitching operation of the needle in operation of the machine.

In actual practice, I purposely set the movement of the workpiece forwardly slightly in excess of the pitch spacing between the scoops, this pitch being controlled by the eccentrica 62, 63; thus the feed fingers 80 definitely control the true movement that the workpiece or Stringer moves forwardly for precisely one scoop so that the needle 39 will be in direct alinement with the aperture-26 of the scoop.

inasmuch as the movement of the forward feed of the

feed dogs

91, 92 has purposely been made in excess, it means that the shoe 86, FIG. 3, will yield under the action of the spring 8S, until such time as the needle has pierced the scoop hole 25, thus anchoring or xing the workpiece or Stringer by virtue of the stitching operation. i

Then, the feed dogs 91, 9i', through the mechanism previously described, drop down away from the workpiece, `allowing the feed bar to neutralize itself. By the time that the feed dogs again come into operative position engaging the workpiece, the feed lingers 80 are out of engagement with the workpiece. It can be seen, therefore, that a constant compensation and synchronization takes place during each cycle of operation` of the sewing machine, with the result that the needle 39 is always synchronized with the holes 26 in successive scoops.

The foregoing operation is further clarified in the lshowing in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawing. Considering FIG. 7, it will appear that the fingers 80 are able lto enter the space between the scoops 21. In the circular rotation of the element 77 in the

arc

76 or 76 of FIG. 8, these arcs of motion are exactly equal to the pitch between the apertures of the scoops, thus providing the definite feed of the scoops, as previously described. Part of this movement of the fingers 80 .is indicated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 7 of the drawing. This feed of the Stringer takes place after the stitching `operation has been performed.

By providing the two feed dogs 91, 91', not only the Stringer 20, but the lower tape or ribbon 24, are positively fed in the operation of said dogs and this will be apparent from a consideration of FIG. 5 of the drawing.

By employing the spring 70 on the slide 68, if a splice or other juncture in the tape should prevail which should result in -a wide spacing between end scoops and this would result in an unsynchronized spacing between the widely spaced scoops, the stitching operation would continue, as well as the normal operation of the slide 68, until such time as the fingers 86 would again engage the scoops for the positive synchronized feed thereof. This might result in the fingers 80 actually striking the scoops 21, as is noted in FIG. 8 of the drawing.

In this operation, the spring 76 will yield and prevent the feed fingers from forcibly striking the scoops. However, the fingers 8f) will proceed along their normal arc, as at 76', and after passing the outer surfaces of the scoops, as noted in FIG. 8, will then drop into the space between the scoops, as indicated in dot-dash lines in FIG. 8, for the forward feed of the scoops for proper registration with the needle.

In the foregoing operation, it will also be apparent that the

feed dogs

91, 91 will have been yieldably activated against the action of the spring 88, so that, when the first scoop at the spacing referred to above reaches the needle, this scoop `will be synchronized and the operation will continue, as before. In other words, any slight variations that may prevail during the cycle of operations may be compensated for in ya similar manner, the drastic variation being diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 8 of the drawing.

It will be apparent that, in some cases, stitchings can take place between the scoops rather than through apertures in the scoops. In this event, the synchronized operation would be the same, as the stitchings are diagrammatically illustrated in the several views. In other words, considering FIG. 6 of the drawing, it will appear that the needle 39 could just as well pass between the scoops, as going through the apertures in the scoops, as is diagrammatically shown.

It will be apparent that with different types and kinds of Workpieces it will be necessary for complete adjustment of the unit or attachment toward and from the workpiece and this is accomplished by the provision `of the elongated aperture 74, in which the screws 73 operate.

In some instances, it would be desirable to provide the synchronized feed of the scoops of -a Stringer by engagement with the mounting end portion of the scoops, rather than the` coupling ends thereof, as noted in the earlier figures, particularly if engagement with the coupling end portions would be undesirable for any reason. To accomplish this result, I have diagrammatically shown in FIG. 9 of the drawing, a modification-of the attachment or unit, together with a large partial section, substantially on the line 11-1 of FIG. 9, to more clearly illustrate engagement with the mounting end portions of the scoops.

In FIG. 9 of the drawing, 45 represents a shaft, similar to the shaft 45, however, with the bevelled gear 5,2 thereof mounted to provide a reverse drive to the gear 53', so as to move the workpiece actuating finger or element 77 toward and `from the mounting end portion `21" of scoops, similar in all respects to the scoop 21. For

7 this reason, like references are used in designating the scoop 21 together with the Stringer tape 20 in FIG. 11 of the drawing.

In FIG. 11, 24 shows the bottom tape; whereas, the upper tape 23 iS indicated in dotted lines, as this tape is fed down through the presser foot 98', generally similar to the feed, as illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawing.

At this time, it might be well to point out that the presser foot 98' differs from the presser foot 98 in that the flange 101 engages the coupling end portion of the scoop, rather than the mounting end portion, as noted in FIG. of the drawing. In both instances, the flanges maintain the alinement of the scoops and back-up the same in the engagement of the

fingers

80, 80 with the scoops.

The lingers 80 of the element 77 are formed on the lower Surface of the forward end of the element 77, as clearly noted in FIG. 10 of the drawing.

The recesses 108, between the fingers 80, receive the mounting end portions 21 of the scoops, as will be apparent.

The housing 56' of the attachment shown in FIG. 9 is generally similar to the housing 56 and has the two eccentrics therein for actuating the slide 68', on the forward end of which is adjusta-bly mounted a yoke 109, in connection with which the element 77' is adjustably mounted, as seen at 110. FiXed to the yoke 109 is an upstanding post 111, with which is coupled a spring 112, the other end of which is fixed to a post 113 on the housing 56', the spring 112 normally urging the slide 68 or a roller 114 supported upon its inner end in engagement with an adjustable stop plate 115, which limits movement of the fingers 80 in the direction of the scoops and also guides the element 77' in substantially a straight line in the feed stroke of the element in advancing the workpiece to bring the next successive scoop of the Stringer in alinement with the needle, which is diagrammatically illustrated at 39 in FIG. 9 of the drawing.

In other words, with the construction shown in FIG. 9 of the drawing, the `function and operation of the element 77 is precisely the same as the element 77, with the exception that it engages the workpiece in an opposed direction from that of the element 77.

In FIG. 11 of the drawing, the

feed dogs

91, 91, similar in all respects to the dogs Shown in FIG. 5, are employed and, for this reason, like references will represent like parts. In this connection, it is believed that no further detail description of the structure shown in FIG. 9 is necessary, as it will be understood that the structure is generally similar to the structure shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

In FIG. 12 of the drawing, I have diagrammatically illustrated a further modification with an enlarged sectional showing of part of the structure in FIG. 13 of the drawing. In other words, in the showing of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, pant `of the front end of the machine is obstructed by the positioning Vof the yoke 109 and the element 77. To overcome this, I have arranged a modified form of unit, so that the scoop engaging fingers 116 of an element 117 will be disposed angularly to and engage the mounting end portion 21" of the scoop 21 which, in this in- Stance, will have the tape of a Stringer disposed on the inner side of the machine, rather than on the outer side thereof or, in other words, reverse to the Showing in FIG. 1-1. This would necessitate also reversing the position of the

dogs

91, 91 so as to engage the lower tape or ribbon 24 and the Stringer 20, which iS now in the reverse position.

Turning now to FIG. 12 of the drawing, it will appear that the shaft 118, generally similar to the shaft 45, has a mounting 119, generally similar to the mounting at 51 and a bevelled gear 120, meshing with a similar gear 121 on a shaft 122. v

The shaft 122, in this construction, is located substantially centrally of a housing 123 and includes the idler gear 124 meshing with

gears

125 and 126 yintegral with

studs

127 and 128, having bearing supports in the housing 123.

At 129 and 130 are Shown central drives for a slide 131, similar in al1 respects to the drives of the slide 68. The element 117 is adjustably supported on the forward end of the slide 131. A sleeve 132 is fixed to the inner end of the slide 131 and operates on a rod 133, having a Swinging mounting on a pin 134 in the housing 123, the sleeve 132` operating against a spring 135 on the rod 133 in control of the slide 131, similar to the spring 70.

The drive for the shaft 118 is generally similar to that shown in FIG. l and is generally identified by the reference character `136 in FIG. 12.

The presser foot has been omitted from the showing in FIG. 12, but part of .the `foot is shown at 137 in FIG. 13 of the drawing. Here again, the foot has the flange 138 to engage the coupling end portion of the scoop and to function similarly to the flange 101. Here again, the upper tape or ribbon will be fed into position, Similar to the feed of the tape, as noted in FIG. 6 of the drawing. The needle is indicated in FIGS. 12 and 13 at 139.

With the modified Showing of FIG. l2, it is possible to provide the proper angular mounting of the slide 131, as well as the actuating element 117 and the grooved or recessed portions 140, similar to the recesses 108, receive and house corner portions of the scoops in positive 4feed of the Scoops for synchronized positioning thereof with respect to the operation of the needle 139, either to pass the needle through apertures in the scoops or to provide Stitchings between adjacent scoops, whichever principle of attachment is desired. From this standpoint, the showing in FIG. 13 could ybe performed of the latter type of Stitching, in that there is no in-dication of apertures in the scoop shown in FIG. 13.

With some types of workpieces, Such for example as separable fastener stringers, stretchy or frail Stringer tapes are employed. This type of tape Structure -is likely to result in bringing scoops out of registration with the needle in the feed through the feed dogs employed.

In FIG. 16 o-f the drawing, I have Shown diagrammatcally a slight modification to the structure shown in FIG. 1 in order to compensate for the existence of this difliculty and this modification simply provides, on the Shaft 45, a cam 141 which, in each cycle of loperation of the machine, actuates a roller 142 at one end of a lever 143 to correspondingly rotate a shaft 144, arranged in suitable spaced bearings 145. The shaft 144 carries, at its forward end, a forked lever 146 which operates in conjunction with a heel 147 on a presser foot, part of which is indicated at 148, the foot being otherwise generally similar to the foot 9S employed in conjunction with the lstructure shown in the earlier figures.

With this modication, at a predetermined point in the cycle of operation, the cam 141 will operate to raise the foot 148 Slightly or a few thousandths of an inch, so as to yfree the foot of tape gripping action. This timing is preferably such as to raise the foot when the need-le is in `its stitching position. At this particular time, the feed dogs are out of engagement with the Stringer and the Stringer will return to its normal non-stretched position, preparatory to the next feeding operation.

When Stringer tapes of the more rigid non-stretch structure are employed, there is no need for the modification to the attachment, as illustrated in FIG. 16 of the drawing. Accordingly, this can be so devised as to be applied to or removed from the machine or, if on the machine, can be rendered inoperative by simple adjustment of the lever 143` by the clamp Screw 143' to, at all times, maintain the roller 142 out of engagement with the cam 141, as well as to adjust the lever 146 out of engagement with the heel 147.

In a synchronized drive between the casting machine and sewing machine,

Ias herein noted, it will be apparent that, from time to time, the sewing machine will require renewal of thread for the bobbin or otherwise. At such times, the clutch 3'7 is put into neutral position and the sewing machine stopped, while the casting machine continues to function in producing the Stringer tapes with the scoops thereon. Upon renewal of the thread in the .sewing machine, the clutch 37 can then be operated to put the sewing machine in a high speed operation, So as to catch-up with the casting machine and, lthen, at the proper time, the clutch actuated to couple the drive of the machine with the linkage 38, so as to continue in the synchronized operation of both machines.

It will be apparent, from the foregoing, that my irnproved apparatus and method is applicable to the produc- Ition of any `type or kind of product, Where workpieces, similar to -the Scoops herein disclosed, are attached at spaced intervals to an elongated tape-like member; after which, the cover, cord, tape or ribbon is stitched to the mounting tape, where the scoops or other members are located thereon `and the stitching is synchronized with the spacing of said scoops ormembers on the mounting tape.

For purposes of description, the tape 20, including its beaded edge 22, may be considered a supporting member for supporting the scoop or workpieces 2l `at one edge thereof. Further, the synchronized drive unit, which is in operative engagement with the drive of the machine, may be said to comprise lan attachment to the sewing machine for synchronizing the feed of the workpieces with operation of the needle of the machine. Still further, it may be said that the casting machine forms a casting station, the sewing machine forms a stitching station and 33 the synchronized drive between these stations.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. ln a machine for sewing a series of workpieces in equally spaced relationship to and along the edge portion lof a supporting member, the combination comprising means for operating a needle 'through recurrent sewing cycles, means for feeding said supporting member with said workpieces attached thereto step by step in one direction through the eld of action of [the needle in synchronism with the cycles of operation of the needle operating means, andmeans :separate from said feeding means and operable in synchronism with said needle operating means through recurrent cycles for shifting said workpieces with said supporting member adjustably along said direction to locate the workpieces in proper position to be sewn to the supporting member, said feeding means including a feed member, a drive, and a transmission between said drive and said feed member for moving said feed member cyclically `along said direction for feeding action, said transmission including a yieldable connection for permitting said feed member to be held against feeding movement along said direction without interrupting `the operation of said drive and without disturbing the frequency of operation of said feeding means to permit said workpiece shifting means to operate.

2. In a sewing machine, the combination as described in claim l, wherein the feed member constitutes a feed dog, the transmission comprises a rocker shaft for operating said feed dog, a connecting rod operated from the drive `and having a yoke end, a shoe slidably mounted in said yoke end and having la link coupling with said rocker shaft, and a spring normally urging the shoe in engagement with one end of the yoke and serving to provide said yieldable connection in the transmission to said feed dog.

3. in a sewing machine, means for synchronizing the feed of workpieces at an edge portion of a supporting member with the operation of the needle, comprising a workpiece locating member having a series of fingers rigidly Secured together and spaced to fit between successive workpieces in 'one position of said member and to locate thereby the workpieces in proper position to l0 be sewed las they successively reach the field-of action of the needle, and means for driving said member cyclically in synchronism with the operation of .the needle first into workpiece locating position in relation to the needle 'and then out of said position during each cycle.

4. In a sewing machine, means for synchronizing the feed -of slide fastener workpieces at an edge portion of a Stringer with the operation of the needle, comprising a workpiece locating member in front of the coupling ends of the workpieces having a series of fingers rigidly secured together and positioned to enter from the coupling ends of 'the workpieces inbetween successive workpieces in one position of said member to locate the workpieces in proper position to be sewed to the Stringer as the workpieces successively reach the field of action of the needle, and means for ydriving said member cyclically in synchronism with the operation of the needle rst into workpiece locating position in relation to the field of action of the needle and then out of said position during each cycle.

5. In a Sewing machine, means for synchronizing the feed of slide fastener workpieces at an edge portion of a Stringer with the operation of the needle, comprising a workpiece locating member in the rear of the mounting ends of the workpieces having a Series of fingers rigidly secured ltogether and positioned to enter from the mounting ends of the workpieces inbetween successive workpieces in one position of said member to locate the workpieces in proper position to be sewed to the Stringer as the workpieces reach the field of action of the needle, and means for driving Said member cyclically in synchronism with the operation of the needle, first into workpiece locating position in relation to the needle and then out of said position during each cycle.

6. -ln a sewing machine, the combination as described in claim 5, wherein said workpiece locating member including its fingers is disposed at an angle lto the plane of the Stringer.

7. In a machine for sewing a series of slide fastener workpieces attached to and extending along the edge portion of a Stringer in equally spaced relationship and for Sewing to said Stringer a tape extending along and overlapping said series, comprising means for operating a needle through recurrent sewing cycles, means for guiding the tape along the edge portion of the Stringer in overlapping relation to the workpieces on the stringer, a pair of feed dogs, means operable in synchronism with the cycles of operation of the needle for cyclically moving said feed dogs into `and out of feed engagement with the Stringer and the tape respectively, and also cyclicfally in a direction towards the field of action of the needle to feed intermittently the Stringer and the tape together towards the field of action of the needle, and means operable in synchronism with Said needle operating means for controlling the positions of said workpieces in relation to the needle at the beginning of each sewing cycle to assure proper positioning of the workpieces for Sewing, and means for cyclically moving said feed dogs along said direction comprising a drive, and a transmission between said drive and Said feed dogs for moving said feed dogs along said direction including a yieldable connection for permitting said feed dogs to be held against feeding movements along said direction without interrupting the operation of said drive and without disturbing the frequency of operation of S-aid dog moving means to permit said controlling means to operate.

8. In a machine for sewing a Series of Slide fastener workpieces to and along the edge portion of a Stringer in equally spaced relationship therealong, the combination comprising means for operating Ia needle through recurrent sewing cycles, means for feeding said Stringer with Said workpieces attached thereto step by step in one direction through the field of action of the needle in synchronism with the cycles of operation of the needle operating means, a workpiece locating member having a series of fingers adapted to tit between successive Workpieces in one position of said member -to locate the workpieces in proper position to be sewed as they successively reach the eld of `action tof `the needle, and

means for driving said member cyclically in synchronisrn with the operation of the needle irst into workpiece locating position in relation to the needle and then out of said position during each cycle, said member driving means imparting to .the member `during each cycle while in operative engagement with the workpieces a movement in 'the direction of feed of the Stringer yat the same time said feeding means is operating through the feed part of its cycle, but at ya slower speed to restrain said Stringer, said feeding means comprising `a dnive and `a transmission from said drive having a springpressed yield'able connection permitting the stxinger under the restraining influence of said member to resist the full feeding impulse of said feeding means.

9. In an apparatus for making slide fasteners, a casting machine for casting slide fastener workpieces at spaced intervals along the edge of a Stringer, land a sewing machine for stitching said workpieces `to said Stringer, comprising means for operating -a needle through recurrent sewing cycles, means for feeding said Stringer with said workpieces attached thereto step by step in one direction through the field yof action of the needle in synchronism with the cycles of operation of the needle operati-ng means, means separate from said feeding means and operable in synchronism with said needle -operating means through recurrent cycles for llocating the workpieces along the direction of feed! in proper position to be sewn to the `stringer, said feeding means including a feed member, a drive, and a -transmission between said drive and said feed member for moving said feed member cyclically along said direction for feeding action, said transmission including 1a yieldable connection for permitting said feed member to -be held against feeding movement along said direction without interrupting the operation of said drive and Without disturbing the frequency of operation of said feeding means to permit s-aid locating means to operate and means connecting said casting machine and said sewing machine for operation in synchronism and including a clutch for breaking the drive between said machines, whereby said sewing machine may be opl erated independently .of said casting machine.

10. In a machine for sewing a series of slide fastener workpieces to Vand Ialong the edge portion' of a Stringer in equally spaced relationship therealong, `the combination comprising means for operating a needle 'through recurrent sewing cycles, means for feeding said Stringer with said workpieces attached thereto step Vby step in one direction through the field of `action of the needle in synchronism with the cycles of operation of the needle operating means, a workpiece locating member in the form of a slide having aiinger adapted cyclically to extend inbetween successive workpieces to locate the workpieces in proper position 'to be sewn to the Stringer by the needle when said workpieces successively reach the sewing eld of the needle, and means for positively driving said slide in a circular path cyclioally into and out of workpiece locating position independently of the position Vof the Stringer and in synchronism with said needle operating means, rst into workpiece locating position between successive 4workpieces `and then out of said position during each cycle.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 768,328 Hadley Aug. 23, 1904 1,242,403 Weis Oct. 9, 1917 1,605,913 Bates Nov. 9, 1926 1,878,201 Sundbrack Sept. 20, 1932 1,942,903 Roseman Jan. 9, 1934 2,026,904 Morin Jan. 7, 1936 2,245,031 Gottlieb June 10, 1941 2,374,529 Everitt Apr. 24, 1945 2,381,977 Mann Aug. 14, 1945 2,395,869 Hendley Mar. 5, 1946 2,444,706 Loew July 6, 1948 2,542,764 Gibbons Feb. 20, 1951 2,682,240 Knaus et al. lune 29, 1954 2,771,848 Knaus et al. Nov. 27, 1956 2,776,635 Blumenkrantz J-an. 6, 1957 2,822,77-0 Schwartz Feb. 11, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 770,300 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1957

Claims

1. IN A MACHINE FOR SEWING A SERIES OF WORKPIECES IN EQUALLY SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO AND ALONG THE EDGE PORTION OF A SUPPORTING MEMBER, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING MEANS FOR OPERATING A NEEDLE THROUGH RECURRENT SEWING CYCLES, MEANS FOR FEEDING SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER WITH SAID WORKPIECES ATTACHED THERETO STEP BY STEP IN ONE DIRECTION THROUGH THE FIELD OF ACTION OF THE NEEDLE IN SYNCHRONISM WITH THE CYCLES OF OPERATION OF THE NEEDLE OPERATING MEANS, AND MEANS SEPARATE FROM SAID FEEDING MEANS AND OPERABLE IN SYNCHRONISM WITH SAID NEEDLE OPERATING MEANS THROUGH RECURRENT CYCLES FOR SHIFTING SAID WORKPIECES WITH SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER ADJUSTABLY ALONG SAID DIRECTION TO LOCATE THE WORKPIECES IN PROPER POSITION TO BE SEWN TO THE SUPPORTING MEMBER, SAID FEEDING MEANS INCLUDING A FEED MEMBER, A DRIVE, AND A TRANSMISSION BETWEEN SAID DRIVE AND SAID FEED MEMBER FOR MOVING SAID FEED MEMBER CYCLICALLY ALONG SAID DIRECTION FOR FEEDING ACTION, SAID TRANSMISSION INCLUDING A YIELDABLE CONNECTION FOR PERMITTING SAID FEED MEMBER TO BE HELD AGAINST FEEDING MOVEMENT ALONG SAID DIRECTION WITHOUT INTERRUPTING THE OPERATION OF SAID DRIVE AND WITHOUT DISTURBING THE FREQUENCY OF OPERATION OF SAID FEEDING MEANS TO PERMIT SAID WORKPIECE SHIFTING MEANS TO OPERATE.