US3179075A

US3179075A - Methods of assembling by sewing the cover pieces of baseballs on baseball cores

Info

Publication number: US3179075A
Application number: US261633A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fossa Joseph
Original assignee: United Shoe Machinery Corp
Current assignee: United Shoe Machinery Corp
Priority date: 1959-11-05
Filing date: 1963-02-28
Publication date: 1965-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 1982-04-20

Description

April 20, 1965 J. FossA 3,179,075

METHODS OF ASSEMBLING BY SEWING THE COVER PIECES .0F BASEBALLS 0N BASEBALL CORES Original Filed No v. 5, 1959 l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 .1 i@ 11- lg 'f L In iuenzoz Jose/oh Fossa 90 'By his Azorney April 20, 1965 J. FossA 3,179,075

METHODS OF ASSEMBLING BY SEWING THE COVER PIECES OF BASEBALLS ON BASEBALL CORES Original Filed Nov. 5, 1959 l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Egg April 20, 1965 J. FossA METHODS 0F AssEMBLING BY SEWING THE' COVER PIECES 0E BAsEBALLs oN BASEBALL coREs Original Filed Nov. 5, 1959 l0 Sheets-Sinaai'I 3 April 20, 1965 3,179,075

. F SA METHODS OF ASSEMBLING BY SEWING THE COVER PIECES OF BASEBALLS ON BASEBALL CORES Original Filed NOV. 5, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet '4 Apnl 20, 1965 J. FossA 3,179,075

METHODS 0F ASSEMBLING BY SEWING THE COVER PIECES 0F BAsEBALLs 0N BASEBALL coREs Original Filed Nov. 5, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 J. FossA 3,179,075 METHODS OF ASSEMBLING BY SEWING THE COVER PIECES April Z0, 1965 OF BASEBALLS ON BASEBALL CORES Original yFiled NOV. 5, 1959 lO Sheets-Sheet 6 April 20, E965 J. FossA 3,179,075

METHODS OF ASSEMBLING BY SEWING THE COVER PIECES OF BASEBALLS ON BASEBALL CORES Uriginal Filed Nov. 5, 1959 Al0 Sheets-Sheet? pni 20, 1965 J. FossA 3,179,075

METHJDS 0F ASSEMBLING BY SEWING THE COVER PIECE-s 0F BAsEBALLs oN BASEBALL CoREs Original Filed Nov. 5, 1959 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 April zo, 196s J. FOSSA 3,179,015

METHODS OF ASSEMBLING BY SEWING THE COVER PIECES 0F BASEBALLS oN BASEBALL CORES Original Filed Nov. 5, 1959 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 April 20, 1965 J, FossA 3,179,075

METHODS OF ASSEMBLING BY SEWING, TEE COVER PIECES OF BASEBALLS ON BASEBALL CORES Original Filed Nov. 5, 1959 l0 Sheets-Sheet lO United States Patent O METHODS F ASSELING BY SEWING THE CVER PIECES 0F BASEEALLS 0N BASEBALL CRES Joseph Fossa, Harniiton, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of New Jersey Qriginai application Nov. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 851,(i59, now Patent No. 3,099,147, dated July 30, 1963. Divided and this application Feb. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 261,633

` 5 Claims. (Cl. i12-262) rilhis invention relates generally to the manufacture of balls, such as baseballs, and is more particularly directed to methods for preparing the bilo-bate cover pieces of such ball-s to receive a conventional baseball seam and for maintaining the cover pieces under control during the sewing operation so that the seam may be more efciently inserted and without requiring extensive training and experience on the part of the operator. This application is a division of `application Serial No. 851,059, filed in my name on November 5, 1959 and now Patent No. 3,099,147.`

One of the most expensive and time consuming operations in the manufacture of a baseball, particularly one intended for Major League play, is the sewing of the cover. Conventionally, the operation consists of locating two bilobate cover pieces, which have previously been wetted or mulled, in seam receiving relationship over a Ibaseball core. At the time of being placed about the core, the cover pieces do not conform to the core but are fastened thereto with the `ends of one cover piece adjacent the edges lat the waist of the other cover piece. Thereafter, a hand sewer inserts a pair of double threads through a portion of the core and progressively laces t0- gether the two cover pieces. As the insertion of the seam progresses the sewer applies a variable pull upon the threads to cause the cover piece to conform to the shape of the core and to bring the two cover pieces into abutment. Because the horsehide from which the cover pieces ,are cut and the pull exerted by the sewer are subject to wide variations which are difficult, if not impossible, to measure and which further are interrelated and interdependent, substantial Variations in .the quality and uniforrnity of the product must be tolerated. 'Ihe alternative, and this is practiced to a certain degree, is the downgrading of baseballs to markets having less stringent requirements. The careful examination and qualitative grading are both time consuming and costly.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a method to achieve greater product uniformity than has hereto-fore been possible in the manufacture of -baseballs It is also an object to produce more uniform baseballs by operators having only such skill as can be obtained in a few days of training.

Ilt is ano-ther object to separate completely, the conforming of the cover piece to the core from the insertion of the seam iby which the cover pieces are joined together. It is yet another object, to accomplish the stretching of each cover piece instantaneously, in a single operation as opposed to the progress-ive stretching of the cover pieces as it is accomplished by means of the tension applied tothe sewing thread.

A still further object is to maintain full control of the cover pieces on the baseball core at all times during the sewing operation.`

`In the achievement of the foregoing objects a novel clamp fis employed for maintaining control over each cover piece and for facilitating the relative positioning of the two cover pieces over the core prior to the insertion of the seam. Briefly, the clamp consists of two hinged members together having a spherical internal surface and a rbilobate contour similar to that of the cover piece but ICC of smaller dimensions so that when the clamp and cover piece are placed with their longitudinal and transverse center lines in register, a generally uniform margin of the cover .piece isexposed outside the contour of the clamp. Each cover piece is connected to the edge of a clamp which has a series of openings positioned to coincide with the thread receiving perforations in the margin of the cover piece, by a series of pins, one pin engaging each cover perforation and the corresponding opening in the clamp.

A supporting form is employed to receive the .cover piece in unstretched or passive condition in a convenient position to be engaged bythe clamp preparatory to the insertion of the pin-s. The supporting form has a work engaging surface similar in outline to the cover piece but, like the clamp, is smaller than the cover piece to permit a generally uniform margin of the cover piece to extend :beyond the form. in the area of its Waist the form is generally cylindrical and the end lobes are flattened s0 that the cover piece is initially sandwiched between the form and the clamp without being stretched. The supporting form is preferably sheathed with a coating of abrasive particles to prevent relative slipping between it and the cover, particularly when a `slight pressure is exerted upon the clamp. lIn this condition, the pins are inserted through the thread receiving perforations in the cover .piece and into the openings in the edge ofthe clamp.

`Amcording to a Ifeature of the invention, a pair of cover pieces, each under the control of a clamp, are placed about a baseball core, and by applying pressure to the clamps, the cover pieces are stretched to conform to the spherical surface of the core. The two cover pieces are also relatively positioned on the core so that the threads which are employed to insert a conventional baseball seam do nothing more than bring the ed ges of the cover pieces into abutting relationship without, in any way, stretching either cover piece.

Another further feature relaties to the method of inserting the seam in order .to achieve greater control over the .position of the line of abutment between the cover pieces than has heretofore been possible. In accordance wvith this latter feature, the cover pieces are maintained under the control of a clamp up to the point of needle operation, the margin of each piece being progressively released from the control of the retaining pins at the time that the thread is passed through the cover perforations.

The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention are attained by the practice of an illustrative method and by the use of exemplary apparatus embodying the features already mentioned, to be described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which;

FIG. l is a view in rige side elevation of a cover and clamp assembly machine employed in the practice of my method;

FIG. 2 is a section on the line lI--ll of FIG. 1;

FlG. 3 is a fragmentary view in cross section showing a baseball cover piece and underlying form, and means included in the assembly machine ofthe preceding iigures for supporting the form;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail View illustrating a portion of a mechanism in the assemblyv machine for pressing a clamp into encompassing relation with the form-supported cover piece; i

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail view showing in perspective the cover piece supporting form being received in the assembly machine;

FlG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 but showing the cover piece having been already placed about` the 0 supporting form;

FiG. 7 is a detail view of the cover supporting form;

FIG. 8 is a View similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 but showing Patented Apr. 20, 1965 in addition a bilobate clamp according to a feature of the invention in position over the cover piece;

FIG. 9 is a detail view showing a cover piece supported upon the form of FIG. 7 and retained in the clamp;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale showing a portion of a lobe of the clamp illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in cross section taken along the line XI--XI of FIG. 10, showing the relative positions of the form, cover piece, and clamp;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary View in cross section taken along the line XII-XII of FIG. 9, showing the cover vpiece bridging a concave portion of the clamp;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary View of two cover pieces and Yfragments of clamps about a baseball core while the cover pieces are being united by a conventional baseball seam inserted in a novel manner according to the present invention; Y

FIG. 14 is a view in cross section taken along the line XIV-XIV'of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view on a reduced scale showing a vise useful for conveniently supporting the partsrshown in FIG. 13, while the seam is being inserted;

FIG. 16 is a detail view showing a cover piece and a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9 together with a hand tool useful for removing the form from within the cover and for applying the cover piece to a baseball core;

FIG. 17 is a detail view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 9 and additionally illustrating a spring device for holding the clamp in engagement with the cover piece until the cover piece can be temporarily secured to the clamp;

FIG. 18 is a view vin right side elevation of a cover stretching machine employed in the practice of my method;

FIG. 19Y is a plan view partially in cross section taken along the line XIX-XIX of FIG. 18;

FIG. 2O is a view in front elevation of the machine illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary View on an enlarged scale showing a pair of complementary cover pieces each retained by a clamp and positioned about a baseball core by the machine more fully illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 20 inclusive, and

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary plan View partially in cross section showing the component parts of a baseball and the apparatus also depicted in FIG. 21.

The machine illustrated in FIG. 1 is employed for locating a cover piece about a supporting form, shown in FIG. 7, as a first step in the practice of my method. Thereafter a clamp, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, is introduced about the cover piece in predetermined relative position leaving a generally uniform margin of the cover piece exposed outside the periphery of the clamp. The supporting form, cover piece and clamp are removed from the machine of FIG. 1 and held temporarily by a spring device such as that shown in FIG. 17 while a series of pins,fshown in FIGS. 9 and 11, are inserted through the cover piece and into the clamp, .to secure the entire margin of the cover piece to the clamp. After this has been accomplished a plier-like tool, shown in FIG. 16, is employed for rst spreading the clamp slightly so that the supporting form may be removed from within the cover piece and thereafter further opening the clamp so that the cover piece may be positioned about a baseball core in a second machine such as that illustrated in FIG. 18. A second cover piece is handled in the same manner as has been described for the first one and is similarly introduced about the baseball core, the machine of FIG. 18 being provided with devices for relatively orienting the two cover pieces about the baseball core.

Because the margins of the two cover pieces are closely controlled by the clamps there is no Wrinlding of the leather as each of the clamps is closed about the core causing the cover piece to stretch both longitudinally and transversely to conform to the spherical shape of the core, After the two cover pieces have been stretched in correct relative positions about the core and while they are still under the control of the clamps in the machine of FIG. 18, temporary fasteners in the form of brads, shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, are inserted through the clamps and the cover pieces and into the core so that the clamps will not be displaced when the assembly is removed from the second machine. V'thereafter the as-` sembly of the baseball core, two cover pieces and two clamps, is held in a vise such as that shown in FIG. 15 and a conventional baseball seam is inserted to secure the two cover pieces in abutting relationship. Although the seam is of a conventional type there is an important variation introduced in its formation in that the cover pieces are progressively released from the control of the clamps by disengaging the cover pieces from the pins as the seam is being inserted.

It will be seen from the above summary that in sewing baseball covers in accordance with my method the thread has but a single function that of holding the cover pieces in abutting relation in the finished ball. The stresses of conforming the cover pieces over the core are evenly distributed over the entire margin of each cover piece thereby assuring a far greater degree of uniformity than has heretofore been possible.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 5 to 7, the form indicated at 10 is provided according to a feature of the invention to support the cover piece. The form 1d consists of a body portion 12 of a resilient rubber material in which is embedded an orienting tube 14. To minimize slippage of the cover piece when it is later introduced about the form 10, a sheathing of abrasive cloth indicated at 16 is provided.

In the cover and clamp assembly machine, the form I@ is received upon a base 18 where it is oriented upon a stationary locating stud Ztl upstanding from the base and so located that the form is nested upon the upper surface of the base. For engaging the upper surface of the form 1@ a movable member is provided and includes a nesting plate 22 having a form-contacting surface similar to that of the base 1S. The plate 22 is secured on a movable carrier 24 and is perforated to receive the reduced diameter of a locating stud 26 which is secured by a nut 28 to the arm coaxially with the stud 20. The carrier 241 also supports a locating member 34B interposed between the plate 22 and the arm, a similar member 32 being provided on the base 13. The carrier dais iixedly supported upon a slide bar 34 which is vertically movable in the frame indicated at 36. In FIG. 5 the carrier 24 is shown'in position to receive the form 10. In FIG. 6 the carrier 2d has been lowered to engage the form 10 and a cover piece indicated at 38 has been wrapped about the form, its edge in contact with the locating vmembers 3d and 32, which together provide both widthwise and lengthwise positioning of the cover piece on the form. As in conventional covering of baseballs, the cover pieces are moistened or mulled so that the leather will more readily stretch and conform to the baseball core.

The bilobate clamp indicated generally by the reference numeral 40 is then brought into engagement with the outer surface of the cover piece preparatory to connecting the margin of the cover piece to the clamp. The clamp 40 is constructed of two similar rigid members identified by the reference numerals do and 43 (FIG. 17), the part 48 being the shorter of the two as will be explained. About the periphery of the two members 46 and liti isa series of perforations or openings 5t? arranged to receive pins 44 inserted through the perforations 42 of the cover pieces 33.

The clamp dit illustrated herein is intended to operate upon a baseball or major league quality in which the cover perforations are located in exactly the same relationship with the dimensions of the cover parts as in baseballs manufactured by conventional methods. Each cover piece of a conventional major league baseball has 104 perforations so positioned that two lie upon the longitudinal center line and two 'upon the transverse center line of each cover piece. The remainder of the perforations are so located that the threads joining the two cover pieces over a core cross at uniform distances along the abutting edges of the two cover pieces. The

parts

46 and 48 of the clamp are connected by a spring hinge 52 (FIG. 9) having a narrow waist and forked ends and positioned at the bottom of a slot 54 having a figure eight configuration in the

parts

46 and 48 of the clamp. The hinge 52 is secured to the

parts

46, 48 by four rivets 58 inserted through each end of the hinge and into each of the

parts

46, 48. The member 46 is made longer than the member 4S as shown in FIG. 17, so that the abutment of the parts lies between the cover perforation on the transverse center line of the cover piece and the adjacent cover perforations. By this expedient it is possible to maintain the same arrangement of perforations in baseballs manufactured in accordance with my method as in those manufactured by conventional processes and at the same time avoid difficulties which would arise if a pin 44 were inserted at the junction of the two parts. It will be readily appreciated, however, that by shifting the pattern of perforations slightly in the cover piece so that the longitudinal and transverse center lines lie between adjacent perforations, a minor change in the conventional baseball, it is possible to make the two parts of the clamp of equal length.

As may be seen in FIG. 8 the cover and clamp assembly machine is provided with devices for locating the clamp 40 over the form-supported cover piece. These devices include an outboard locator in the form of a key di) arranged to engage the slot 54 at the waist of the clamp. In order that the lobes ofthe clamp may be readily positioned each is formed with a socket consisting of a cylindrical opening 62 intersected by a shallow slot 64 (FIG. 9). The cover and clamp assembly machine is provided with a pair of iingers or locators 66, one of which is shown in FIG. 8, for iirst engaging the slot 64 and then entering the cylindrical opening 62 as the clamp is seated over the cover piece 3S. Each finger d6 is fixed upon the distal end of a short arm 68 fast upon a short vertical shaft 7@ journaled in a bracket 72. At the lower end of each shaft 71B is fixed a second arm 7 4 generally parallel to but somewhat longer than the arm 68 and a tension spring 76 is stretched between the two arms 74 to urge the two locators 66 into engagement with the clamp 40. Rearwardly of the shaft 7G on each of the brackets 72 is an upstanding fixed pin 73 which limits the inward movement of its related locator 66 toward the axis of the studs Ztl, 26. Cooperating with the pin 78 for limiting the movement of the locator 66 is a lug 30 formed integral withthe hub of the arm 68.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. l and 2, it will be seen that foot-actuated connections have been provided in the cover and clamp assembly machine for lowering the locating stud 2-6 and the nesting plate 22 into engagement with the form 1t?. The connections include a treadle S6 pivoted on a shaft 88 iixed in a pair of low floor-supported standards 90. The frame 36 of the machine is supported on a bench 92 and the treadle 86 extends inwardly beneath the bench. A vertical link 94, having a forked lower end, passes through a suitable opening in the bench and is connected to the inner end of the treadle 86 by means of a pin 96 through the lower end of the rod and a slot 93 cut in a block 100 upstanding on the upper surface of the treadie. surrounding the rod 94 is a spring 102 for urging the rod upwardly, the spring being compressed between the bench and a collar 16:4 tixed upon the rod. At its upper end the rod 94 is pivotally connected at 106 to the rearwardly extending arm tli of an offset lever also formed with a forwardly extending arm 11i). The offset

lever

108, 110

Above the bench and is pivoted on a stud 112 fixed upon the frame 36, and the arm is pivotally connected at its forward end to an intermediate vertical link 114 pivoted at its lower end to the carrier 24. It is thus seen that when the treadle S6 is rotated about the shaft 88 in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 1, the carrier 24 is raised from the position shown in full lines to the position shown in dot-and-dash lines. This movement of the carrier is accompanied by a corresponding movement of the slide bar 34 which is provided with a pair of adjustably fixed

collars

116, 118 for limiting the uppermost and lowermost positions respectively of the carrier 24. At its rear the carrier 24 is slotted to receive a stud 120 fixedly upstanding from the frame to prevent angular displacement of the carrier about the post. To prevent tipping of the carrier 24 in a vertical plane, the slide bar 34 is retained in widely separated guideways, one below the carrier and the other above between the

stop collars

116 and 118.

The cover and clamp assembly machine is also provided with foot-actuated connections for bringing the clamp 46 into engagement with the form-supported cover piece. When the clamp 4t) is presented to the machine, the operator depresses the inward end of a treadle 12d to cause the clamp to be engaged first by the key 65) which enters the slot 52 at the waist of the clamp and presses the clamp yieldingly into engagement with the cover piece and then by the locators 66 which enter the

sockets

62, 64, in the lobes of the clamp. The key 60 and the locators 66 not only retain the clamp in pressing engagement with the cover piece but also centralize the clamp to expose a generally uniform margin of the cover piece outside the periphery of the clamp. For these purposes the treadle is `connected by a pin 12S which passes through the forked lower end portion of a vertical link rod and a slot 132 formed in a block 134 integral with the treadle. The rod 136 passes through a suitable opening in the bench 92 and is biased upwardly by a coil spring acting between the bench and a collar 136 fast on the rod. The upper end of the rod is pivotally connected by a pin 13S to a horizontal arm 14d xed upon a shaft 141 rotatable in the frame and also iixedly supporting a bell crank comprising a vertical arm 142. At its distal end the arm 142 is forked to receive a link 144 to which it is pivotally connected by a pin 146. The link 144 is pivoted at its rearward end to a yoke 15d interposed between a pair of horizontal slide rods 152 at the forward endsof which the brackets 72 are integrally formed. A stop screw 154 is adjustably locked by a check nut 156 on the arm 142 in position to engage an integral boss on the frame, `thereby determining the most forward position of the yoke 159, and consequently of the locatorsdd.

' Before the locators d6 enter the

sockets

62, 64 in the lobes of the clamp, the key Gti engages the waist of the clamp for seating the clamp in encompassingrelation with the cover piece. For this purpose a linkage is provided between the key 60 and a forwardly extending'` arm 153 which, with the arm 142,?comprises the bell crank actuated by the treadle 126. The arm 158 is forked at its forward end and has passing through the forked portion a pin 160 free to turn in a slide block 162. A lever 164 (FIG. 4) pivoted on a shoulder screw 16d threaded in the frame is formed at its rearward end with a slot 16S which loosely embraces the block 162. The shoulder 166, which abuts a stop screw 176 adjustably locked inV the frame. A pivotal connection 178 is provided between the outer end of the lever and a carrier 131i at the atraer/ l? outer end of which the key et? is slidably supported. A torsion spring 152 is wrapped about the pivot 173 for urging the carrier to turn in a counterciockwise direction about the pivot and for holding a finger 1&4 integral with the carrier, in engagement with an eccentric stop pin 13d adjustably supported in the trarne.

When the treadle 126 is depressed .causing the shaft 141 to turn in a counterclockwise direction, the lever 16d is .thereby moved from its solid line position toward its dot-dash line position shown in FIG. l. The spring 172 couples the motion of the arm .16d to the leve-r i7@ bringing the lug 174 into engagement with the stop screw 176 before the treadle 126 has been fully depressed. At this time, however, the key di? is still essentially in the Vposition shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 relatively to the carrier 18d; that is, it is fully retracted in a slot in the carrier and accordingly is not immediately effective for seating the clamp tti on the cover piece 3S. Auxiiiiary mechanism is provided for seating the clamp about the cover piece 3S, including an actuating lever 1537 pivoted intermediate the ends `of the carrier 180 and connected to the key ed lby a slot and block joint indicated at 1%. As already indicated the key dii is slidable in a slot in the carrier 180 and it is formed with an integral stem 189 which extends through the bottom wall of the slot in the carrier to the slot and block joint 183. For maintaining the key dit in its normally retracted position, a spring 19th is compressed between the carrier 13d and the actuating lever 137. After the lug 174 has engaged the stop screw 176 the movement of the lever 170 i-s arrested but lthe lever 164.', continues in motion to a limited extent as the treadile 126 is further depressed.' During the continued movement of the lever 164 a cam surface 192 at the inner end of the actuating lever H57 is acted upon by a follower roll 1194 rotatably supported on the forward end of the lever 164 to push the key d@ from its retracted position into engagement with the slot at the waist of the clamp so that the clam-p is urged into intimate contact with the form-supported cover piece and the locatore o6 having rst engaged the slot 64 in the lobes of the clamp are now in position to `enter lthe openings d2 thereby cornpleting the orientation of the clamp and also being effective for holding the supporting form, cover and clamp in correct relative positions for further processing of the cover piece.

vFor the next operation to be performed on the cover piece the assembly consisting of the form iti, the cover piece 38 and the clamp 44B `is removed from the machine by iirst operating the treadle 86 to raise the carrier 24 out of engagement with the form. Thereafter the arms 68 are manually spread apart to disengage the locators 66 Ifrom the `openings 62 of the clam-p and the treadle 126 is operated toret-urn the locators and the key dit' to normally inactive positions shown. in full lines in FIG. 1. By applying a small amount of manual ressure to the lobes of the clamp 4d the abrasive cloth sheathing 16 on the form 10 prevents relative displacement of Ithe parts of the assembly. After removing the assembly from the first machine a spring clip such as that indicated at 196 in FIG. 17 may be employed for maintaining the relative positions of the parts of the assembly. With the slot 54'; in the ends of the `clamp d@ engaged by the legs of the clip 1% a set of pins 44 is then conveniently inserted through the coverperforations and into the perforations in the edge of the clamp. By connecting the margin of the cover piece in this manner to the edge of the clamp, a cover piece is placed completely under the control of the clamp for later application to a baseball core. It is possible to omit pins in alternate perforations and still retain the cover piece in the clamp but a pin in each perforation has been found preferable to place the cover entirely under the control of the clamp and to eliminate all cover stretching functions conventionally associated with the insertion of the thread.

After. the pins have been inserte-d the ends of the clamp are spread apart either manually or by means of an expanding tool indicated generally at 1% in HG. 16 and the form 1t? is extracted leaving the cover piece connected by its edge to the clamp `for further processing. The expanding tool 19S is also employed as will be explained for presenting two cover pieces to the second or cover stretching machine.

The expanding tool 1&8 comprises a pair of leg-s 2M, 2%, the latter one of which has a forked portion for receiving the leg 21nd on a pivot 2%. VThe leg 20d is longer than the leg `205 and includes an integral hook Zit) formed to enter the slot Sd in the clamp. Between the hook 2id and the pivot 2% the leg 264 is also provided with a pair of guiding studs 21.2 lslidable in the leg and urged inwardly by a leaf spring 2:14. Each of the guiding studs 212 is formed with an enlarged tapered head adapted to enter the slot ed in'the clamp et) one on each side of the cylindrical opening 62, to guide a key Z defined by the inner margin of the longer leg into the slot, to orient the clamp longitudinally in the expanding tool. En addition, a projection 21rd is formed with a cylindrical surface on the leg 294 in position for freely ente-ring the opening 62 of the clamp and a locator 2.18 integral Vwith the longer leg also fits the slot S4 at the waist of the clamp. The leg 2% is .shaped with an outwardly extending lug on which is pivoted at 22@ a movable hook jaw 222 formed with an integral releasing arm urged outwardly by a spring 226 compressed between the ieg and the arm. Near the pivot 22) the leg Zito is provided with a single guiding stud 227 urged inwardly by Ya leaf spring 223 `for entering the second slot 61tof the clamp in a manner similar to that described for the studs 2112 to guide a key 229 defined by the margin of the leg into the slot. A projection 23d similar to that identified by the reference numeral .216 is also formed on the leg 2% to enter the related cylindrical opening 62. Fornrging the two legs 2de, 2dr? into engagement with the clamp 4t) a spring 232 is compressed within telescopically arranged olosed end tubes 23d, 236, each pivoted in a socket in one of the legs.

As has already been stated, the expanding tool 19S is employed for spreading apart the lobes of the clamp d@ so that the form 1@ may be extracted. In addition, the expanding tool 1% is thereafter employed for spreading the lobes of the clamp still farther apart to apply a pair of cover pieces with their related clamps to a baseball core 24d (FGS. 21 and 22), the cover pieces, clamp and baseball core being the component parts of what will hereafter be referred to as the sewing assembly. It will also be appreciated that at the time that the cover pieces are first applied to the core each cover piece is disposed in its related .clamp as shown in FIG. 11, in transversely flat condition, that is, the cover piece bridges the distance between the edges of the lobes without conforming to the spherical internal surface of the clamp or to the outer surface of the core and the cover pieces `are not relatively oriented in proper position for receiving a seam to connect them together nor are they fastened to the 4core to prevent displacement. Accordingly, the cover stretching machine to which the sewing assembly is thereafter introduced includes means for orienting each of the clamps d@ about the core and for pressing the clamps onto the core so that the condition of the cover piece within the clamp is inodied from the 'bridging relationship to a condition in which the outer surface of each cover piece engages substantially the entire inner surface of its related clamp as illustrated in FIG. 14. The process of changing the shape of each cover piece from the transversely dat condition to that in which it conforms to the core is referred to herein as spherifying and is accomplished in the cover stretching machine which will hereafter be described.

For convenience the cover stretching machine shown in FIGS. lS to inclusive, is mounted alongside the already-described assembly machine Iupon the bench 92 and includes `a frame 242 secured by means of four bo-lts 244 to the top of the bench. For receiving one of the clamps of the sewing assembly yand orienting its llongitudinal center line in a vertical plane the cover stretching machine includes a locating stud 246 upstanding in a bracket 247 integral with and extending forwardly from the machine frame 242 and an arcuate key 248 extending `fore and aft of the stud. The stud 246 is adapted to enter the cylindrical opening 62 and the key 248 engages the slot 6din the lower lobe of the vertical clamp to orient the 4clamp in a predetermined vertical plane generally normal to the front edge of the bench 92. There is also provided in the cover stretching machine, locating means for engaging the upper lobe of the vertical clamp, comprising .a horizontal otset .carrier arm 256 mounted for vertical sliding movement on a guide post 252 rigidly supported in the frame. At its forward end the arm d carries a guide stud 25d and an arcuate key 256 capable of being moved into engagement with the `socket in the upper lobe of the vertical clamp 49.

Movement is imparted to the arm 25d by foot actuated connect-ions including a treadle 258 pivoted on a shaft 260 supported in a pair of floor mounted standards 262. -Beneath the bench 92 thetreadle 258 is connected to a vertical link rod 264 by means of a pin 266 which passes through the lower end of the rod and through a slot formed in an integral upstanding projection 267 on the treadle and the link rod is urged upwardly by a spring 268 compressed between a collar 269 (FIG. 20) fixed upon the rod and the bench 92. The upper end of the rod 264 has loosely fitted to it an adapter 27d backed by a pair of check nuts 272 and pivotally connected to an arm 274 secured to a shaft 276 upon which another arm 278 is also secured. The arm 278 is pivoted at 280 to a link 232, which link, together with the arm 278, comprises a toggle for raising and lowering the carrier arm 25d. A shoulder screw 2&4 retained by a nut 236 connects the .other end of the link to the carrier arm 250 and the carrier arm is normally maintained in its inactive position shown in so-lid lines in FIG. 18 by a tension spring 283 stretched between the carrier arm and an upper portion of the frame 242. In order to prevent rotation of the arm 25o in a horizontal plane about the post `252 a second short post 29@ is iixedly supported in upstauding position lat the rear of the base 242 and is embraced by a rearwardly extending forked portion of the carrier arm.

When the treadle 25S is actuated to lower the rod 264 the arm 27S and the link 282 are rnoved `toward and through a position of alinement to a locked position of slight misalinement while bringing the stud 254 and the key 256 into engagement with the socket in the upper lobe of the vertical clamp. An unlocking lever 292 is fulcrurned on the shaft 276 and provided with a depending arm 294- into the lower end of which is threaded a limit screw 296 engageable by the link 282 at a point near the pivot 230 to arrest the movement of the toggle in locked position. Movement of the lever 292 when the screw 296 is `engaged by the toggle is limited by a stop screw 29o threaded in a forwardly extending ear near the top of the frame and locked by a nut 36). To limit the counterclookwise movement of the lever 292 when it is actuated to break the toggle to allow the `carrier arm 250 to be raised by the spring 283, the underside of the lever is engaged by a stop ringer 362 extending horizontally from the iframe.

Similar devices have been incorporated in the cover stretching machine for operating upon the horizontal cover piece and its clamp, that is the clamp and cover piece having their longitudinal center line disposed in a horizontal plane. In order t'o facilitate the presentation of the sewing assembly to the cover stretching machine the horizontal clamp is first engaged by a locator to permit the stud 246 and the key 2455 to be approached by the vertical clamp in a downward direction from above. For this purpose there is provided a locator supporting arm 3M mounted for pivotal movement in a vertical plane about a horizontal shaft Ztl-6 ixedly retained in the frame. At its forward end the arm 364 carries a locating stud 328 like those indicated by the reference numerals 246, 254i and an arcuate key 3l@ formed like those designated as 248 and 256. To position the horizontal cover piece correctlyjwith respect to the vertical cover piece, thearm 34M is provided with an integral rearwardly extending iinger 312 which underlies a guide rod '31d iixedly supported in the frame in generally parallel relationship with the shaft 326. Because of the mounting of the arm 39d the horizontal clamp may first be engaged by the stud 3% and the key 3l@ and then the lower socket or the vertical clamp is brought into engagement with the stud 246 and the key 243. The treadle 253 is then actuated to lower the arm 25h causing the upper socket of the vertical clamp to be engaged to spherify the vertical cover piece and securely grip the core 240. Thereafter the remaining lobe of the horizontal clamp is pressed inwardly to spherify the horizontal cover piece and the two cover pieces are maintained temporarily in their alreadyestablished relationship so that a conventional seam is inserted by a hand-sewer employing a minimum degree of skill.

For the purpose of engaging the remaining socket' of the horizontal clamp liti, there is provided a locating stud 316 and an arcuate key 328 on a toggle actuated carrier arm 32d slidable horizontaiiy on the shaft 3%. To prevent the arm '32@ from rotating about thel shaft Sitio it has a forked rearwardly extending portion which embraces the rod 3M. Actuation of the arm 32@ is by means of a treadle 326 formed at its inner end with an integral upstanding slotted block 328 through the slot of which a pin 33t? passes to connect the treadle to the lower end of a vertical link rod 332. At its upper end the rod 332 is pivotally connected at 334 to the forward end of a horizontally disposed arm of a bell crank 336 pivotally mounted on a stud 33S supported at the rear of the frame 242. The rod 332 is urged upwardly, as seen in FiG. 20, by a spring 349 wrapped around it and compressed between the machine frame and a collar 342 fixed upon the rod. For imparting the movement of the rod 332 to the arm 32@ the bell crank 336 has a vertical arm pivotally connected at 344 to a short horizontal link 346 having its other end pivoted to the central joint 348 of a toggle comprising links 35@ and 352. The toggle '3S-tl, 352 is movable in a horizontal plane, the link 35i? having its outer end pivotally connected at 354 on the carrier arm 322. The outer end of the link 352 is free to pivot on a shoulder screw 356 threaded into the frame and a spring 358 is stretched between the carrier arm 32th and the shoulder screw to resist movement of the toggle links into positions of alinernent.

For the purpose of limiting the movement of the toggle links 350, 352 and for breaking the toggle to return the arm 320 to its inactive position shown in full lines in FIG. 19, there is also pivoted on the shoulder screw 356 below the link 352 a lever 360 having an arm 362 into which is threaded a set screw 361i adjustably locked by a check nut 366. When the screw 364 is engaged by the link 352 the movement of the lever 360 is limited by a stop screw 368 threaded in the frame and locked by a check nut 376). The

screws

364 and 368 are adjusted to arrest the movement of the toggle links after they have passed through the position of alinernent and are in positions of limited misalinement, in which misalined positions, shown in dot and dash lines, in FIG. 19, the toggle is locked until the lever 36@ is operated to break the toggle and thereby release the horizontal clamp 4t?. As has already been explained for the vertical cover piece and clamp, the pressure applied to the horizontal clamp by the carrier arm 320 causes the horizontal cover piece to be spheriiied, and in addition locates the horizontal cover piece in the necessary seam-receiving relationship with the vertical cover piece.

After both cover pieces have been spheriiied and before the sewing assembly is removed from the cover stretching machine it is necessary that the clamps 4t) bevsecured to the core 2li@ so that the cover pieces will be maintained in seam receiving relationship until a conventional baseball seam is inserted. Fastening of the clamps itl to the core 246 is accomplished, as is seen in FIGS. 21 and 22, by brads 372 two such brads being inserted through each lobe of each clamp. To receive the brads 372 each lobe is formed with a pair of perforations 374 extending from the bottom of the slot 64 to the interior of the clamp and the brads are inserted through these perforations, then through the related cover piece and into the core 240. The diameter of the brads 372, exaggerated in the drawings, for purposes of clarity, is such that the puncture in the cover pieces is not a serious disadvantage which in any event is either substantially reduced or eliminated all together by rolling the baseball, a conventional step for embedding the seam partly in the cover piece after the seam has been inserted.

Upon being removed from the cover stretching machine the sewing assembly is ready for the sewing operation. At this time not only are the clamps lll secured in proper relationship on the core by the brads 372 but the cover pieces also adhere to the core Mil which, according to the usual practice in baseball manufacture, has been coated with cement before the cover pieces are applied. The seam adjoining the margins of the two cover pieces is of conventional form, being inserted with a pair of double cotton threads indicated at 284 in FIGS. 13 to l5, inclusive. `Curved needles 386 are threaded in the usual manner for passing the two double threads through the cover perforations 4t2. However, in accordance with an important feature of the present invention the threads 384 are not employed to stretch the cover pieces over the core since this has already been accomplished under the control ofthe clamps in the cover stretching machine.

As the seam progresses, according to my method, the pins 4x4 are pushed back out of engagement with the cover perforations Ll2 and partway into the slot 54 with which the perforations t) of the clamp are in communication. Since the pushing back of the pins 44 may conveniently be accomplished with the point of the needle as it enters the cover perforations 42 it will be appreciated that the contour of each cover piece is either under the control of the thread or ofthe pins 44.

In the conventional baseball cover sewing the position of the line of abutment between the two cover pieces and consequently of the seam varies in accordance with the stretch characteristics of the leather and the pull applied to the thread by the sewer. In order to achieve an acceptable degree of uniformity by the conventional sewing method a high order of judgment and experience is accordingly required on the part of the sewer. In addition, the balancing of the pull on the two threads being inserted so as to achieve the required degree of uniformity greatly reduces the effective sewing speed. By contrast, when baseballV cover pieces are sewn together in accordance with my method, the threads need be pulled only sutil- Vciently to bring the edges of the cover pieces into abutting relationship, and since the line of abutment is determined by rigid clamps the possibility of introducing irregularities in the position of the seam are substantially eliminated and a higher sewing speed than heretofore attainable may readily be achieved.

For the purpose of presenting the ball at a convenient level for the sewer and to permit the use of both hands for inserting the seam it has been found convenient to employ a vise of somewhat conventional design such as that shown in FIG. l5 and comprising a fixed jaw 335, supported on a bench 396. A movable jaw at 394 on the fixed jaw and connected to a treadle 396. By depressing they treadle 3% the jaws are spread so that a sewingV assembly may be received, reoriented or removed from the vise. The treadle 3% is pivoted at its rearward end on a shaft 398 supported in a floor-mounted standard dal@ and is pivotally connected at 402 to a vertical link rod 41%. At its upper end the rod 4M is forked to receive a lateral projectiondilo on the movable jaw 392. and a pin 493 passes loosely through the rod and the projection. For urging the two jaws into gripping relationship with the sewing assembly a spring dit) is stretched between them. To prevent escape of the sewing assembly by depressing the treadle too far a spring-pressed bumper 412 is mounted on the treadle and resists excess movement of the treadle when the jaws have been suiiciently opened to permit the sewing assembly to be reoriented as the insertion of the seam continues.

From the foregoing it will be seen that l have provided a novel method for applying cover pieces to baseballs but it will also be realized that with slight modilications in size, the method already described can readily be applied, for example, to the manufacture of softballs. JFurther moditications and the value of various parts of the present disclosure will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art. lt is accordingly not intended to confine the invention to the precise form herein shown, but rather to limit it in terms of the appended claims.

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

l. In ball manufacturing, the method comprising the separate steps of first providing a pair of hat, elongated bilobate cover pieces, constraining the margin of each cover piece, thereafter spherifying each cover pieceby conforming it to a spherical form while retaining control of the margin, and securing each spheriiied cover piece to the other by sewing over a ball core while releasing the margin of each cover piece progressively as the seam is being inserted.

2. In ball manufacturing, the method comprising the separate steps of first providing two bilobate cover pieces, then constraining the margins of each cover piece, thereafter stretching the central portion of the cover pieces over a ball core to cause the pieces to conform to the core while retaining control of their margins, and thereafter, while inserting a conventional baseball seam connecting the margins of the two cover pieces, progressively releasing lcontrol over the margin of the cover pieces near the sewing point.

3. In ball manufacturing, the method comprising the separate steps of first providing two bilobate cover pieces having regularly spaced thread-receiving perforations in thelr margins, then temporarily connecting the margin of each cover piece by pins entering openings in the edge of a hinged bilobate clamp, thereafter stretching the central portions of the cover pieces over a ball core to cause the. pieces to conform to the core while their margins remain under the control of the pins and thereafter, while inserting a baseball seam to connect the margins of the two reces together, progressively releasing the margins of the cover pieces from the control of the clamp'by pushing the is pivoted efmero form and progressively securing each spheried cover piece to the other over a ball core by a conventional baseball seam While releasing the margin of each cover piece from the form as the scam is being inserted.

5. In ball manufacturing, the method comprising the separate steps of iirst providing two bilobate cover pieces, then constraining the margin of each cover piece, then stretching the central portion of each of the cover pieces over a ball core to cause the pieces to conform to the core While retaining control of their margins, and thereafter, while joining the margins of the two separate cover pieces by a seam, progressively releasing control over the margins of the cover pieces near the sewing point.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN BALL MANUFACTURING, THE METHOD COMPRISING THE SEPARATE STEPS OF FIRST PROVIDING A PAIR OF FLAT, ELONGATED BILOBATE COVER PIECES, CONSTRAINING THE MARGIN OF EACH COVER PIECE, THEREAFTER SPHERIFYING EACH COVER PIECE BY CONFORMING IT TO A SPHERICAL FORM WHILE RETAINING CONTROL OF THE MARGIN, AND SECURING EACH SPHERIFIED COVER PIECE TO THE OTHER BY SEWING OVER A BALL CORE WHILE RELEASING THE MARGIN OF EACH COVER PIECE PROGRESSIVELY AS THE SEAM IS BEING INSERTED.