US3128526A

US3128526A - Fabric fringe fraying device

Info

Publication number: US3128526A
Application number: US239203A
Authority: US
Inventors: Plastock Irving
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-11-21
Filing date: 1962-11-21
Publication date: 1964-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 1981-04-14

Description

A ril 14, 196A PLASTOCK 3,128,526

1' w, FABRIC FRINGE FRAYING DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

- IRVING PLASTOCK A ril 14, 1964 1. PLASTOCK FABRIC FRINGE FRAYING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 21, 1962 INVENTOR IRVING PLASTOCK H A ril 14, 1964 PLASTOCK 3,128,526

FABRIC FRINGE FRAYING DEVICE Filed Nov. 21. 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. IRVING PLASTOCK A ril 14, 1964 I. PLASTOCK 3,

' FABRIC FRINGE FRAYING DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 DRUM DRIVE MOTOR 12 Ml cl g' l g g AMP BE E 'ETQQIVE POWER SUPPLY INVENTCR, IRVING PLASTOCK POWER I22 SUPPLY A f United States Patent C) 3,128,526 FABRIC FRINGE FRAYHNG DEVICE Irving Plastoclr, 2470 64th St, Brooklyn 4, N.Y. Fiied Nov. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 239,203 17 Claims. (Cl. 2818) This invention relates to fabric fraying apparatus and more particularly concerns apparatus for automatically fraying an edge of continuously fed woven fabric or other sheet material to form a fringe thereat.

Different materials and different intended uses therefor, require different degrees of cutting or fraying in order to fringe the edge thereof. Most cutting mechanisms designed for fabric fraying utilize cutting means which must be fixedly secured in place prior to machine operation. Adjustment of said cutting means requires disassembly of the cutting head, extraction of the cutting means and replacement thereof in a different position. Tools are almost invariably required to effect such disassembly, loosening of the cutting means securing structure, repositioning of the cutting means, retightening of the cutting means securing structure, and reassembly of the cutting head. Cutting mechanisms so constructed are inefiicient when different types of material are to be frayed one after the other and when different types of fraying are required in successive operations of the cutting machine.

According to the present invention an apparatus assembly is provided including a rotatable drum in which are adjustably positionable needles or prongs disposed to engage the warp extending lengthwise of the fabric near .an edge thereof and to pull the warp loose from the filling threads or woof to form a continuous fringe along the edge of the material. Adjustment of the prongs is done without use of tools. Included in the apparatus is an automatically operated clamp which holds the material stationary while it is being frayed or fringed. An automatically driven conveyor carries the fabric through the apparatus. The conveyor, clamp and drum are all cyclically operated by a timing device so that the fabric is intermittently fed to the fraying drum and is frayed thereby. A suction duct is provided to carry away fibers or threads pulled loose from the fabric. Once the apparatus is set up and operating it will feed and fray fabric continuously. The apparatus can be used for fraying .woven or non-woven fabric, paper, plastic film, metal foil, etc.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an apparatus for automatically fraying or fringing an edge or margin of sheet material.

It is a further object to provide a fabric fraying apparatus with novel quickly adjustable cutting or tearing means.

Another object is to provide a cutting mechanism in a fraying device including a rotatable drum having fabric engaging prongs extending radially therefrom and adjustable cam means in the drum for adjusting the extent of radial projection of the prongs from the drum.

Other objects are to provide a fraying apparatus with cyclic control means for feeding, clamping and fraying sheet material; to provide adjustable fabric fraying prongs which can be set without use of tools; to provide novel clamping means for fabric being frayed; and to provide novel conveyor means for fabric in a fraying apparatus.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of fraying apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of part of the apparatus of FIG. 1, certain portions being shown in side elevation.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of part of the fraying mechanism taken on line 33 of FIG. 2, showing the prongs in one position.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views similar to FIG. 3 showing the prongs in two different positions of adjustment.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a fraying member including prong and spring.

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, some parts being omitted.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of part of the apparatus, taken on line 88 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a fabric clamp employed in the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the control system employed in the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 the apparatus 10 including a cylindrical drum 12 which constitutes a fabric cutting or fraying head of the apparatus. The drum is rotatably mounted on an axial shaft 11 journaled in bearing brackets 14, 16 at opposite ends. The brackets are secured to a horizontal table 18. At one end of shaft 11 is a pulley 20 driven by a belt 22 entrained on pulley 24 of a motor 26. The motor is mounted on a stand 28 secured to the table 18. A plurality of axially adjustable prongs 30 extend radially from the drum through channel openings 32 therein. The prongs are arranged in a plurality of circumferential columns and axial rows. As best shown in FIG. 7, prongs 3d are omitted from a circumferential portion P of the drum, for a purpose subsequently explained. A prong adjustment knob 34 and prong setting knob 36 are conveniently located at one end of the drum. Knob 34 has an index finger or pointer 35 which is movable around a scale 37 marked on end wall 38 of the drum.

Disposed underneath the drum 12 is a clamp 40. This clamp, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 9, is a plate folded to a generally U-shaped cross section. The rounded bight 42 of the plate defines a springy, elastic joint which normally holds upper plate section 44 spaced from lower plate section 46. Plate section 46 is secured by screws 48 inserted through holes 50 into the table 18. Both plate sections have spaced rounded knob-

like projections

52, 54 extending inwardly of the clamp. Projections 52 extend upwardly from the inner, upper side of plate section 46 while projections 54 extend downwardly from the inner, lower side of plate section 44. -A rectangular cutout or hole 45 is formed in the clamp extending from the bight 42 outwardly toward the free edges of the plate sections but terminating short thereof. This hole is located so that prongs 30 can engage an edge or margin M of fabric F which is fed longitudinally through the clamp.

The upper movable plate section 44 has an extension 49 at its outer edge. This plate extension carries ears .53 which engages a link 55 pivotally secured to the upper end 51 of a plunger 56 which moves axially in a solenoid 58. Plunger 53 passes through hole 59 in the table. The solenoid is secured to the underside of the table as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. A coil spring 60 inside the solenoid restores the plunger to its axially upward extended position when the solenoid is deenergized. When the solenoid is energized, the fabric F is engaged between the

plate sections

44, 46 as the plunger pulls down plate section 44.

A suction duct 62 is located near the drum 12. The open end 61 of the duct is parallel to the axis of the drum. The duct terminates at a suction source (not shown).

The table 13 has a rectangular cutout or hole '76 through which extends the upper sides of two axially parallel rollers '72 and '73. The upper course '74 of an endless belt 71 is located just above the table coplanar with the upper or inner side of plate section 46. An idler pressure roller '75 carried by bearing brackets 76 on the table extends across the belt and applies pressure on the upper surface of fabric F to advance the fabric lengthwise away from the drum and clamp. The belt 71 serves as a conveyor and is driven by a motor Sit; see FIG. 8. The motor 30 is mounted on a shelf 82 under the table. The motor has a drive pulley 84 which drives a belt 86 entrained on pulley 88. Pulley 88 is secured to the shaft 90 of roller 73. Rollers '72, 73 are rotatably supported by bearing

brackets

91, 92 underneath the table.

The motor 80, solenoid 58 and motor 26 are connected in a common control circuit housed in a control box 87 underneath the table. This control box has a control switch 95 manually operable at the front edge of the table; see FIG. 1.

The drum 12 has an inner cylindrical cavity 105 in which is a rotatable cylindrical cam 102; see FIGS. 2-5. This cam is fluted or grooved longitudinally. The ridges 104 and grooves 106 extend from end to end of the cam. The cam is loosely mounted on shaft 11 and can be rotated manually with respect to the shaft and drum by turning knob 34. Shaft 11 is secured to end

walls

38, 38 of the drum which are in turn secured to the outer cylindrical wall 12 of the drum. Channels 32 extend radially through the wall 12*. These channels have enlargements 32 at their inner ends open to the cam Hi2.

Prongs 30, as clearly shown in FIGS. 26, have pointed outer ends 31 and cylindrical inner ends 31. Circumferential flanges 108 are secured to the prong ends 31', and coil springs 110 are axially mounted on the prongs. These springs bear on the flanges 198 and on annular seats 112 formed at the radially outer ends of channel enlargements 32 The prongs have rounded free ends 31" which contact the ridges and grooves of the cam due to the radially inward bias exerted by the springs 110. A circumferentially arranged series of holes or recesses 113 is formed on one end of cam 102; see FIGS. 2 and 5.

A stud 114 secured to knob 36 is frictionally fitted in hole 116 in end plate 38. This stud is axially movable and can be inserted into any one of holes 113 to retain the cam in any position of rotational adjustment on shaft 12. By rotation of the cam, the several rows of prongs 3% can be selectively extended or retracted as the rounded ends 31 engage different portions of the ridges 1M. and grooves 106 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5.

FIG. illustrates schematically the automatic control system of the apparatus. Drum 12 with prongs 3i) projecting therefrom is operatively connected to and driven by motor 26. A continuously energized timing motor 120 is connected to power supply terminals 122 and is controlled by the On-Off switch 95. The timing motor rotates a shaft 124 of a timing disk 12%. This disk is an insulated member on which are two arcuate, circumferentially spaced, fixed electrically

conductive contacts

128, 130. Contact arm 132 is secured to shaft 124 and rides over contacts 128, 13% in turn and in continuous succession. Power supply terminal 134 is connected to a wiper 136 which continuously contacts shaft 124. Contact 128 is connected to one terminal of the belt drive motor 80. The other terminal of motor 80 is connected to power supply terminal 135. Contact 13% is connected to common, connected

terminals

140, 142 of motor 26 and solenoid 58. The

other terminals

141, 143 of the motor 26 and solenoid are connected together to power supply terminal 135.

In operation of the apparatus, upon closing of switch 95, the timing motor is continuously energized and continuously drives shaft 124. The drum drive motor 26 and the clamp actuating solenoid 53 are simultaneously energized when arm 132 rides over contact 13 1 When arm 132 rides over contact 128, the motor 26 and solenoid 58 are deenergized and motor is energized. When the drum is driven, the prongs 36 are carried through the opening 45 in clamp 46 and engage the warp threads at the edge M of the fabric F. The clamp plate sections are closed by the solenoid and grip the opposite edge of the fabric therebetween. The fabric is stationary because motor 80 is stopped. The prongs tear the warp threads loose from the remainder of the fabric and pull them out of the clamp. To assist in tearing the warp loose, a series of slits S can be made in the edge M of the fabric as shown in FIG. 1. The opposing edges of the bight 42 at hole 45 of the clamp 40 can be sharpened at 42' as shown in FIG. 9. As the warp threads are pulled outwardly by the prongs they will be cut at opposite sharp edges i2. This will leave short lengths of warp threads engaged by the prongs. As the drum 12 rotates, the suction applied through duct 62 will effectively remove the engaged warp threads. Slots or grooves 63 can be formed in the upper side of the table to receive and permit passage of the pointed ends of the prongs as shown in FIG. 2, while the drum rotates.

After the drum makes one or more revolutions, and when the portion P of the drum which is free of prongs is opposite the clamp, the drum is stopped and simultaneously the solenoid is deenergized to open the clamp. The motor 80 is then energized and advances the newly frayed or fringed portion of the fabric out of the clamp over the belt 71. After the fabric is advanced a predetermined distance, which may be more or less than the longitudinal length of hole 45 in the clamp, the motor 80 is stopped and the clamp is actuated to grip the fabric While the drum rotates to fray the portion of the fabric edge M exposed at hole 4'5.

The edge M of the fabric can be frayed or fringed continuously or at predetermined spaced intervals depending on the timing of the control system. To change the spaced intervals of fraying, the timing disk 126 may be replaced by another disk in which the arcuate contacts 128, have different arouate lengths.

To change the radial extensions of the prongs 30 for fraying different thicknesses of fabric or for fraying plural layers of fabric simultaneously, the knob 34 is turned to advance or retract the prongs radially of the drum. Re setting of knob 36 fixes the new positions of the prongs.

The apparatus described thus makes it possible to fray an edge of a fabric sheet continuously and automatically for forming fringes or slits therein. If the sheet is woven cloth, a fringed edge will be produced in which the woof or filling threads are free from the warp. If the sheet is plastic film, paper, metal foil or other non-woven or nonfibrous material, a series of slits extending transversely of one edge of the sheet will be formed in the apparatus. Such frayed, fringed or slit materials are useful in fabrieating garments, trimmings for window displays, Christmas tree decorations, etc.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

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

1. A fraying device: comprising (a) support means;

(b) drum means carried by said support means for rotation about a predetermined axis of rotation;

(c) a plurality of cutting means;

(d) mounting means interconnecting said cutting means for both conjoint rotational movement with said drum means and for movement with respect to said drum means along radial lines intersecting said axis of rotation;

(e) cam means coacting with said plurality of cutting means to position same at different radial distances from said axis of rotation;

(f) selection means for operating said cam means to so position said cutting means;

(g) said dnurn means comprising a hollow cylinder having formed therein a plurality of channels arranged in parallel rows and columns, said plurality of channels including shoulder portions formed therein;

(h) each of said plurality of cutting means being d1sposed in one of said channels; and

(i) a spring disposed ineaoh of said channels against said shoulder formed therein, said spring biasing said cutting means towards said axis of rotation;

(j) said cam means determining the extent of movement of said cutting means towards said axis of rotation.

2. A fraying device: comprising (a) support means;

(c) a plurality of cutting means;

(e) cam means coacting with said plurality of cutting means to position same at different radial distances from said axis of rotation; and

(f) selection means for ope-rating said cam means to so position said cutting means;

(g) said cam means having a configuration adapted to position certain ones of said plurality of cutting means at a first distance from said axis of rotation while positioning other ones of said plurality of cutting means at a second distance from said axis of rotation;

(h) said configuration of said carn means providing a position on said cam means wherein said first distance is such that said certain ones of said cutting means do not extend beyond the surface of said drum means, said other ones of said cutting means at said position extending from said drum so that said second distance is a maximum.

3. A fraying device: comprising (a) support means;

([7) drum means carried by said support means for rotation about a predetermined axis of rotation;

(c) a plurality of cutting means;

(d) mounting means interconnecting said cutting means for both conjoint rotational movement with said drum means and for movement with respect to said drum means along radial lines intersecting said axis of rotation; I

(1) selection means for operating said cam means to so position said cutting means;

(11) said configuration of said cam means providing a position on said cam means wherein said first dis tance is such that said certain ones of said cutting means do not extend beyond the surface of said drum means, said other ones of said cutting means at said position extending from said drum so that said second distance is a maximum;

(i) said configuration of said cam means providing another position on said cam means wherein said first distance and said second distance are equal.

4. A fraying device: comprising (a) support means;

(c) a plurality of cutting means;

(e) cam means coacting with said plurality of cutting means to position same at dilferent radial distances from said axis of rotation; and

(h) said cam means having a generally cylindrical configuration concentric with said drum means, the peripheral surface of said cam means engaging said cutting means to position same;

(i) said peripheral surface having a circumferentially ridged and grooved configuration.

5. In a cutting mechanism for fraying material having a table and a rotatable cylindrical drum mounted on supports extending above said table with the axis of rotation of said drum parallel to the top of said table, the

invention comprising (a) a hollow formed in the center of said drum;

(b) a plurality of radial substantially circular guide channels formed in said drum extending from the outer to the inner surface thereof, said guide channels being disposed in a plurality of rows parallel to the axis of rotation and in a plurality of columns perpendicular to the axis of rotation;

(c) said guide channels further having formed therein a shoulder;

(d) a plurality of substantially circular needle-like fraying members each disposed in one of said guide channels;

(e) an annular ledge formed on each of said fraying members;

(i) a spring disposed in each channel between said shoulder formed therein, and said ledge formed on said cutting members, said spring surrounding said fraying member and biasing same radially inwardly towards said axis of rotation;

(g) a cam disposed in said hollow formed in said center of said drum, said cam having a configuration such that it engages all 'saidicutting members to determine the extent of movement thereof towards said axis of rotation, said configuration positioning said cutting members which are disposed in any one of said rows at the same radial distance from said axis of rotation, said configuration further positioning said cutting members which are disposed in any of said columns such that they constitute two different groups, said first group of cutting members extending a different radial distance than said second group of cutting members; and

(h) selection means interconnected with said cam means to selectively position same and thereby vary F7 said first and said second radial distance at which said cutting members extend from said axis of rotation.

6. In a cutting mechanism for fraying material having a table and a rotatable cylindrical drum mounted on supports extending above said table with the axis of rotation of said drurn parallel to the top of said table, the invention comprising (a) a hollow formed in the center of said drum;

(c) said guide channels further having formed therein a shoulder;

(e) an annular ledge formed on each of said fraying members;

( a spring disposed in each channel between said shoulder formed therein, and said ledge formed on said cutting members, said spring surrounding said fraying member and biasing same radially inwardly towards said axis of rotation;

(g) a cam disposed in said hollow formed in said center of said drum, said cam having a configuration such that it engages all said cutting members to determine the extent of movement thereof towards said axis of rotation, said configuration positioning said cutting members which are disposed in any one of said rows at the same radial distance from said axis of rotation, said configuration further positioning said cutting members which are disposed in any of said columns such that they constitute two difierent groups, said first group of cutting members extending a different radial distance than said second group of cutting members; and

(h) selection means interconnected with said cam means to selectively position same and thereby vary said first and said second radial distance at which said cutting members extend from said axis of rotation;

(i) said configuration also including a position at which said first group of cutting members are retracted to the same radial distance from said axis of rotation as the outer surface of said drum, and at which said second group of cutting members are extended to a predetermined maximum radial distance from said axis of rotation;

(j) said configuration further including a position at which said first group of cutting members and said second group of cutting members extend identical radial distances from said axis of rotation.

7. In a cutting mechanism for fraying material having a table and a rotatable cylindrical drum mounted on supports extending above said table with the axis of rotation of said drum parallel to the top of said table, the invention comprising (a) a hollow formed in the center of said drum;

(c) said guide channels further having formed therein a shoulder;

(e) an annular ledge formed on each of said fraying members;

(f) a spring disposed in each channel between said shoulder formed therein, and said ledge formed on said cutting members, said spring surrounding said fraying member and biasing same radially inwardly towards said axis of rotation;

(g) a cam disposed in said hollow formed in said center of said drum, said cam having a configuration such that it engages all said cutting members to deter-mine the extent of movement thereof towards said axis of rotation, said configuration positioning said cutting members which are disposed in any one of said rows at the same radial distance from said axis of rotation, said configuration further positioning said cutting members which are disposed in any of said columns such that they constitute two different groups, said first group of cutting members extending a different radial distance than said second group of cutting members;

(h) selection means interconnected with said cam means to selectively position same and thereby vary said first and said second radial distance at which said cutting members extend from said axis of rotation; and

(1') locking means settable at each position of said cam to lock said cam and drum for conjoint rotation.

8. A fringe fraying mechanism of the class described:

comprising (a) a table;

(b) spaced supports extending from said table;

(c) aligned bearings carried by each of said spaced supports;

(d) spaced stub shafts each journalled in one of said aligned bearings;

(e) spaced end plates each secured to one of said stub shafts;

(f) a hollow cylindrical drum secured to and occupying the space between said spaced end plates;

(8) a plurality of guide channels formed in said cylindrical drum, said plurality of guide channels being arranged in a plurality of rows and columns;

(h) a shoulder formed in each guide channel;

(1) a cutting member having a ledge affixed thereto disposed in each of said guide channels;

(j) a spring disposed in each of said guide channels between said shoulder formed therein and said ledge afiixed to said cutting member, surrounding said cutting member to urge same towards the axis of rotation of said cylindrical drum;

(k) a cam means positioned in the hollow of said cylindrical drum coacting with said cutting members to determine the extent of movement thereof towards the axis of rotation of said cylindrical drum;

(1) a shaft secured to said spaced end plates mounting said cam for rotation therebetween;

(m) a plurality of recesses formed in said cam on the side thereof adjacent one of said end plates;

(n) a stud, passing through an aperture in said one end plate, adapted to be seated in any one of said plurality of recesses to interconnect said cam and end plate for conjoint movement;

(0) a knob positioned on the side of said one end plate opposite said cam and secured to said stud to facilitate movement thereof into and out of each of said plurality of recesses;

(p) a selection knob interconnected to said cam to effect rotation thereof to selected settings each of said settings corresponding to a position of alignment between each of said plurality of recesses and said stud; and

(q) drive means for conjointly rotating said stub shafts,

end plates, cylindrical drum and cam;

(r) said cutting members when rotated by said rotating drum passing through any material placed between said rotating drum and said table to fray the material and form a fringe thereon.

9. A fabric fraying apparatus comprising:

'(a) a support;

'(b) a drum rotatably mounted above said support;

() fabric engaging prongs extending radially from said drum and adjustably extensible from the drum;

(d) fabric clamping means disposed on said support underneath the drum;

'(e) means for drawing said fabric through said clamping means;

(1) motor means for rotating the drum;

(g) means for actuating said clamping means; and

(h) control means alternately actuating the fabric drawing means and the drum rotating means.

10. A fabric fraying apparatus comprising:

(a) a support;

(b) a drum rotatably mounted above said support;

(0) fabric engaging prongs extending radially from said drum and adjustably extensible from the drum;

(d) fabric clamping means disposed on said support underneath the drum;

(e) means for drawing said fabric through said clamping means;

(7) motor means for rotating the drum;

(g) means for actuating said clamping means; and

(h) control means alternately actuating the fabric drawing means alone and simultaneously actuating the fabric clam-ping means and drum rotating means.

11. A fabric fraying apparatus comprising:

(a) a support;

(b) a drum rotatably mounted above said support;

(d) fabric clamping means disposed on said support underneath the drum;

(e) means for drawing said fabric through said clamping means;

( motor means for rotating the drum;

(g) means for actuating said clamping means;

(h) control means alternately actuating the fabric drawing means alone and simultaneously actuating the fabric clamping means and drum rotating means;

1(1') said clamping means comprising a plate having a generally U-shaped cross section with a springy bight;

(j) a rectangular opening in said plate at said bight for extension of said prongs therethrough to engage an edge of fabric disposed inside the plate; and

(k) projections on inner sides of facing sections of the plate for gripping the fabric when said sections are closed together.

12. A fabric fraying apparatus comprising:

(a) a support;

(b) a drum rotatably mounted above said support;

(0) fabric engaging prongs extending radially from said drum and adjustabiy extensible from the drum;

(d) fabric clamping means disposed on said support underneath the drum;

(e) means for drawing said fabric through said clamping means;

(1) motor means for rotating the drum;

(g) means for actuating said clamping means;

(it) control means alternately actuating the fabric drawing means alone and simultaneously actuating the fabric clamping means and drum rotating means;

(i) said clamping means comprising a plate having a 10 generally U-shaped cross section with a springy bight;

(k) projections on inner sides of facing sections of the plate for gripping the fabric when said sections are closed together;

(I) said means for actuating said clamping means comprising a solenoid having a plunger operatively connected to one section of said plate for moving the same against the other section.

13. A fabric fraying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said means for drawing the fabric through said clamping means includes:

(a) an endless belt;

(b) a motor driving said belt; and

(c) a cooperating idler roller contacting one course of the belt while said fabric isconveyed on the belt.

14. A fabric fraying apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein said control means includes:

(a) a continuously driven timing switch device; and

(b) circuit means interconnecting said timing switch device with the drum driving motor means, belt driving motor and solenoid.

15. A fabric fraying apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the bight of said plate has sharpened edges at opposite ends of said rectangular opening for cutting warp threads of the fabric engaged by said prongs during rotation of the drum.

16. A fabric fraying apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a suction duct disposed adjacent to the drum for carrying away pieces of thread torn from the fabric and engaged upon said prongs.

17. A fabric fraying apparatus comprising:

(a) a support;

([2) a drum rotatably mounted above said support;

(d) fabric clamping means disposed on said support underneath the drum;

(e) means for drawing said fabric through said clamping means;

(f) motor means for rotating the drum;

(g) means for actuating said clamping means;

(h) means for drawing off from said prongs portions of the fabric engaged on the prongs during rotation of the drum; and

(i) control means for alternately actuating the fabric drawing means while the drum is stationary and clamping means is inactive, and for simultaneously actuating the clamping means to clamp the fabric and rotating the drum to engage the prongs in said fabric, While the fabric drawing means remains stationary.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 661,605 Hafter Nov. 13, 1900 715,378 Heath Dec. 9, 1902 814,947 Dube et a1. Mar. 13, 1906 861,661 King July 30, 1907 2,475,170 ZieVe July 5, 1949

Claims

9. A FABRIC FRAYING APPARATUS COMPRISING: (A) A SUPPORT; (B) A DRUM ROTATABLY MOUNTED ABOVE SAID SUPPORT; (C) FABRIC ENGAGING PRONGS EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM SAID DRUM AND ADJUSTABLY EXTENSIBLE FROM THE DRUM; (D) FABRIC CLAMPING MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID SUPPORT UNDERNEATH THE DRUM; (E) MEANS FOR DRAWING SAID FABRIC THROUGH SAID CLAMPING MEANS; (F) MOTOR MEANS FOR ROTATING THE DRUM; (G) MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID CLAMPING MEANS; AND (H) CONTROL MEANS ALTERNATELY ACTUATING THE FABRIC DRAWING MEANS AND THE DRUM ROTATING MEANS.