US3219003A

US3219003A - Operating arrangement for circular linking machine

Info

Publication number: US3219003A
Application number: US777050A
Authority: US
Inventors: Darandik Wilhelm
Original assignee: KETTMA HAMBURGER KETTELMASCHINENFABRIK E HAHN KG
Current assignee: KETTMA HAMBURGER KETTELMASCHINENFABRIK E HAHN KG
Priority date: 1954-05-20
Filing date: 1958-11-28
Publication date: 1965-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 1982-11-23
Also published as: DE977018C

Description

Nov. 23, 1965 w. DARANDIK 3,219,003

OPERATING ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR LINKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/GJ. F/6.2.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1965 w. DARANDIK 3,219,003

OPERATING ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR LINKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 13+ l7 I34- IS I- I40. l4 I I3 I I.

22 20a 22 I ll '6 o I 30I I 300 23 INVENTOR WILH M bAeAu lk NFL S74 M496 ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1965 w. DARANDIK 3,219,003

OPERATING ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR LINKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR WlLHEL/v] Dee/M 0:

Max/ 5 s W pv f ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1965 w. DARANDIK OPERATING ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR LINKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 INVENTOR W/L 461.4 Danna/0mg Ml nmL f VAL/K64 ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1965 w. DARANDIK 3,219,003

OPERATING ARRANGEMENT FOR CIRCULAR LINKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 wwae F/G- 7 INVENTOR United States Patent 8 Claims. (31. 112-45 The present application is a continuation-in-part application of my co-pending application Serial No. 509,594 filed May 19, 1955 and issued as US. Patent 2,862,464 on December 2, 1958.

The present invention relates to an operating arrangement for circular linking machines, and more particularly to an operating arrangement permitting the operator of a linking machine to hold a selected part of a rotating member in a desired position, although the rotating member is driven by a motor.

In linking machines of the type to which the present invention relates, two pieces of knitted material are placed with their loops on a circle of needles, and thereupon linked or sewn to each other. The circle of needles is rotated, and the operator attaches the knitted pieces to the portion of the circle of needles which passes her. If the operator works faster, or slower, than required by the speed of the needles, the portion of the circle of needles Where the operator works is not directly in front of her so that the operation cannot be carried out efiiciently.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage, and to provide an operating arrangement permitting an operator to hold a desired section of a driven operating means in a desired position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide operating means for a linking machine permitting the operator to place knitted pieces on a rotating circle of needles at a speed greater or smaller than the speed of the moving needles.

A further object of the present invention is to drive an operating member by a motor in such a manner that the support of the operating member can be turned with the operating member to produce a resultant speed of the operating member which corresponds to the speed at which the operator performs necessary operations of the operating member.

With these objects in view, the present invention mainly consists in a machine which comprises, in combination, stationary supporting means, a support turnably mounted on the supporting means for turning movement about a vertical axis; operating means movably mounted on the support; and rotary drive means having an axis coinciding with the turning axis of the support and being turnably mounted in the same for driving the operating means.

Consequently, an operator can turn the support during operation of the driven operating means. A transmission means is mounted in the turnable support for connecting the drive means with the operating means, and the transmission means include means which are turnable with the support while the transmission is in driving connection with the drive means.

The motor which drives the operating means, such as a rotary needle-supporting dial ring, is either mounted on the turnable support, or on the stationary supporting means.

While the needle-supporting ring is rotated on the turnable support, the operator can turn the support while placing knitted pieces on the needles so that the needles on which the knitted piece is placed, are always in front of the operator.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the turnable support is mounted on top of a stationary supporting column. This arrangement permits the operator to work at any point of the turnable support and needle supporting ring. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the linking machine, a transverse arm has operating needle means which are stationary relative to the moving needle-supporting ring since the arm is secured to the turnable support. The operator works the operating needle means and holds the portion of the needle-supporting ring where she works in front of her by turning the turnable support opposite to the direction of rotation of the needle-supporting means if she works slower than required by the speed of the needle-supporting ring. If the operator works faster, she can turn the turnable support in direction of rotation of the needlesupporting ring. v

A slip clutch is preferably provided in the transmission means connecting the motor with the drive shaft in order to prevent turning of the support by the motor when the operating means of the machine are jammed. A pulley and belt transmission may serve as friction coupling.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are schematic side views of another embodiment of the present invention, some parts being omitted for the sake of simplicity;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 and FIG. 7a are fragmentary side views, partly in section, illustrating details of the operating means of' the linking machine of FIG. 5; and FIG. 7b is a sectional view taken on line VIIb-VIIb in FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 5 and FIG], the support for the operating means of the machine is mounted for turning movement about a vertical axis on a stationary column 23 which has a flange 23a to which a ring 21 is fixedly secured by screws 162. The turnable support includes a hollow conical part 14 which is pivotally connected by a pin 39 to an annular part 20 having a centrally located downwardly extending circular portion 20a projecting into the recess defined by ring 21. Anti-friction roller means 22 are located between

elements

21 and 20a. Support 14 has a flange on top to which a circular guide member 1 is fixedly secured by bolts 15. A set of needles 3 is arrange-d in a circle and supported on a needle-supporting dial ring 2 by clamping rings which are held together by screws 5.

A sewing needle 6 is driven by operating means 16a which are located in a transverse hollow arm 7 of a member 12 which is secured to a radially inward projecting part 1a of a guide member 1.

Members

20, 14, 1, 12

. and arm 7 of member 12 form a turnable support or thereof a cam 13a for driving the operating means of needle 6.

A main shaft 13 is;

The needle-supporting ring 2 with needles 3 is rotated by a transmission including

bevel gears

131, 132, worm gear 137, pinion 139, and an internal gear 2a on needlesupporting dial ring 2, the transmission being driven from main shaft 13 as will be explained hereinafter. The needle 6 is oscillated to follow the rotary movement of the needles and then to return for the next stitch. Gripper means 8 passing through a cutout in a cover plate 9, as shown in FIG. 7b, grip the loops of the knltted pieces which are placed on needles 3 and sewn by needle 6.

This arrangement is not an object of the present invention, but it will be understood that it is advantageous for the operator to be in a position opposite needle 6. The operator can manually turn

support

1, 12, 14, 20, a on flange 23a to place needle 6 in any desired position. It is also necessary that the operator places a piece of knitted material on the needles 3, with needles 3 passing through loops of the material. The needle-supporting dial ring 2 is driven from shaft 13 to turn about the axis of the machine while sliding on circular guide member 1, so that needles 3 pass the operator while she places a knitted piece on needles 3. When the operator cannot follow the speed of movement of needles 3, the operator turns support 1, 12, 14, 20 opposite to the direction of rotation so that the moving needles 3 and needle 6 remain in a convenient position. If the operator works faster than required by the speed of the needle-supporting dial ring 2 and needles 3, then the operator can turn the turnable support in direction of rotation of needles 3.

A bevel gear 131 is secured to main shaft 13, and drives another bevel gear 132 which is secured to a shaft 135 mounted in a bearing bracket 161 on member 1 as shown in FIGS. 7a and 712. When the

support

1, 12, 14, 20 is manually turned on flange 23a about its vertical axis which coincides with the axis of shaft 13, gear 132 rolls on gear 131 while the gears remain in meshing engagement.

Gears

131 and 132 form part of a transmission for driving needle supporting ring 2. The transmission further includes a worm gear 137 secured to a shaft 138 which is turnably mounted in bearing 140 on circular guide member 1. A gear pinion 139 is fixed on shaft 138 and meshes with an internal gear 2a on needle supporting ring 2. When shafts and 13 are driven, the needle supporting ring 2 rotates relative to guide member 1 while the needle 6 makes stitches in material suspended on needles 3, but the operator can turn

support

1, 12, 14, 20 with the revolving needle supporting ring 2 and needles 6.

Member 14 is pivotal-1y mounted on member 20 for tilting movement to an inoperative position in which the transmission and other operating means are easily accessible for cleaning purposes. As shown in FIG. 5, member 14 has a pair of brackets 14a located on opposite sides of a bracket projecting from ring member 20. A pivot pin 29 is secured to bracket 40 and projects into bearing bores in brackets 14a. When support 14 is tilted, a cutout 14b receives projection 40. A slotted member 51 is connected by a pin 52 to part 14, and receives in its slot a pin 50 which is secured to part 29, as shown in FIG. 7. When the upper parts of the machine are turned about pivot pin 39, pin 50 slides in the slot of member 51 to the end of the slot and holds the pivoted head in a desired end position.

Main shaft 13 is driven from a drive shaft 25 through a clutch means 24 which includes a pin 24a secured to shaft 13, a pin 24b secured to shaft 25, and a sleeve 24c provided with a slot in which pins 24a and 24b are located. A spring 24d abuts against a ring on shaft 25 and on sleeve 24c, and permits axial shifting of sleeve 24c. Clutch means 24 permits the pivotal movement of the machine head since pin 24a moves out of the slot of sleeves 24c when the

head

1, 12, 14, 15 is pivoted about pin 39 to the inoperative position in which part 14 has been moved up to define an angular space with part 20.

In the illustrated position, coupling means 24 obtains a driving connection between

shafts

25 and 13 and the head is in its operative position. A

worm gear drive

133, 134 is provided for turning shaft 13 by a manual operation. Shaft of worm gear 133 is connected to a crank, not shown.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 parts which correspond to parts of FIG. 7 are indicated by the same numerals. The support 14 has a projecting portion 14a to which a drive motor 16 is secured. Motor shaft 17 projects into the interior of the hollow support 14 and carries a pulley 18 which is connected by a belt to a corresponding pulley 19 which is secured to shaft 13. The diameters of

pulleys

18 and 19 are selected in such a manner to obtain a proper reduction of the rotary speed of shaft 13 with respect to the rotary speed of motor shaft 17. The support part 14 is secured to a turnable ring 20' which has a downwardly projecting portion 20a located in a recess formed by the annular portion 210 of column 23. Roller means 22 are located between

members

20a and 210 and facilitate turning movement of support 14' with member 12'. An annular bottom surface of member 20 slidably engages the annular top face of the ring portion 210. In this embodiment, annular member 20' is fixedly secured to the hollow part 14 by bolts, not shown. Needle supporting ring 2 is driven from shaft 13 through a

transmission

131, 132, 135, 139, 2a as described with reference to FIGS. 7a and 7b.

The motor 16 is mounted on turnable support 14 in a diametrically opposite position with respect to needle 6 and supporting arm 7. In this manner, the weight of motor 16 counterbalances the weight of arm 7. A cable 300 is connected to contact rings 301, on the stationary column 23 and the motor 16 carries slide contacts 302 which engage the contact rings 301. Consequently, electric power can be supplied to motor 16 in any turned position of support 14', 20 which carries motor 16.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 7, motor 30 is mounted on the stationary column 23 so that no slide contacts need be provided. The head portion of the machine is constructed as described with reference to FIGS. 7, 7a, 7b.

Drive shaft 25 is mounted in column 23 and is coupled by coupling means 24 to main shaft 13 from which the operating means of the machine, including the needlesupporting ring 4, are driven as explained with reference to FIGS. 7, 7a. A shaft 251 constituting a lower drive shaft portion is mounted in a bearing 26 on column 23 non-movable in axial direction, and carries a pulley 27 which is connected by a belt 28 to a pulley 29 on the shaft of motor 30 which is fixedly secured to column 23. A friction clutch means 31 connects

shafts

25 and 251 and includes a spring 31a urging the axially shiftable disk 31]) against disk 31c. A member 360 secured by a screw 362 to shaft 25 holds spring 31a in position.

When the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined maximum, friction clutch means 31 slips. This arrangement prevents a rotation of the

turnable support

1, 14, 20 by the motor shaft 13 through

gears

131 and 132 when the operating means driven from gear 132 are jammed.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 6, the slip clutch means is omitted and replaced by a pulley and belt drive. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the motor, not shown, is mounted in the lower portion of supporting column 23, and drives shaft 32 through a pulley and belt drive corresponding to the pulley and

belt drive

27, 28, 29 described with reference to FIG. 5. The friction clutch means 31 is omitted in shaft 32.

Shaft 32 carries at its upper end a pulley 33 which drives through a belt a pulley 34 secured to a pulley shaft 36 which is mounted on support 14. Another pulley 37 is mounted on shaft 36 and drives through a belt a pulley 38 fixedly secured to shaft 13. Since shafts 13 and 32 are coaxial, and have an axis coinciding with the vertical turning axis of the turnable support 12", 14",

20" the pulley and belt transmission is operative in all turned positions of support 12", 14", 20". However, the transmitted torque is limited since the belts will slip on the pulleys when the operating means of the machine are jammed. Needle supporting ring 2 is driven as described with reference to FIGS. 7a and 7b.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 illustrate modifications of the drive of shaft 13 from motor means. In the above description it was assumed that the machine is provided with a vertical stationary column 23. A corresponding arrangement is shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the stationary supporting means include an inolined support 53 having a transverse arm 54 on whose fr e end an annular member 210 corresponding to member 210 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is provided. The

turnable mechanism housing

20, 14, 1, 12, 7 is mounted thereon in the manner described with reference to FIG- URES 4 to 7. Shaft 13 carries a pulley 59 which is connected by a belt 58 to a pulley '57 on the shaft of motor 56. Consequently, motor 56 drives shaft 13, while the pulley and belt drive has the function of the slip coupling preventing rotation of the machine head by motor 56 when the operating means are jammed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a downwardly extending portion 55 of the supporting means has at its lower end a transverse arm 63 whose free end has a supporting ring 210 corresponding to ring 210, of the embodiment of FIG, 4. The turnable support 14, and the other parts of the mechanism housing of the linking machine are mounted thereon in the manner described with reference to FIGURES 4 to 7. Shaft 13 carries a pulley 64 which is driven from a pulley 62 through a belt 63. Motor shaft 61 is driven by motor 60 which is mounted on a stationary support. It is also contemplated to modify this arrangement in such a manner that the suspended supporting means 55 is arranged at the center of the turnable support 14 with the axis of

shafts

13 and 61 coinciding.

In all above described embodiments of the present invention, a turnable support is provided which includes an annular part 20, a conical part 14, and a member 12. The operating means for the needle 6 and for the needle supporting ring 2 are mounted in this turnable part and are driven from shaft 13 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a. Needle supporting ring 2 has an inner gear 2a meshing with gear 139 which is driven through a transmission including the bevel gear 132. The

turnable support

20, 14, 12 is normally held by the operator in a position in which needle 6 is opposite the operator, and at the same time the operator attaches two pieces of knitted fabric to the needles 3 which move past her so that the two pieces are sewn together by needle 6. The speed of the operator is determined by the speed at which the needles 3 move past the operator. If the operator cannot follow the speed of the needles, and falls behind in attaching the knitted fabric pieces to needles 3, she turns

support

20, 14, 1, 12 which is possible since annular part 20 is turnably mounted on flange 23a and turns in the stationary ring 21 on rollers 22. In this manner, the operator can place those needles 3 on which she has to attach the knitted pieces in front of her, since she can turn the turnable support with needle ring 2 and needles 3 as fast back as needles 3 move past her. Consequently the same needles 3 will remain opposite the operator, and the attaching operation can be properly carried out. It is also possible that the operator is capable of attaching some parts of the knitted fabrics faster to the needles 3 than required by the movement of needles 3. In this event, she can turn the support with needle supporting ring 2 and needles 3 in the direction of movement of needle supporting ring 2 and needles 3 to work ahead of the sewing operation carried out by needle 6.

Therefore, the driven needle supporting ring 2 moves relative to the

movable support

20, 14, 1, 12 when shaft 6 14 drives the needle supporting ring, but the needle supporting ring 2 can be turned manually together with the

movable support

20, 14, 1, 12 into a desired position.

During such manual turning movement, the driving connection between shaft 13 and the needle supporting ring 2 must not be interrupted. In accordance with the present invention, gear 132 rolls on gear 131 while the turnable support is turned, but the driving connection between shaft 13 to needle supporting ring 2, as shown in FIG. 7a, remains uninterrupted. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the manual turning of the turnable support with motor 16 is also possible while the driving connection is maintained, since the belt between

pulleys

18 and 19 turns about pulley 19. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, pulley 37 turns around pulley 38, while the driving connection is maintained by the connecting belts between

pulleys

37 and 38, and pulleys 33 and 34.

While the needle supporting ring 2 with needles 3 is rotated from shaft 13, shaft 13 also operates the needle 6 through operating means 16a which are controlled by a cam 13:; on shaft 13. The construction of the operating means 16a is well known, and not an object of the present invention.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of textile machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an operating arrangement for circular linking machines, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of these generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A dial looper sewing machine comprising, in com bination, an upright support column having a vertical axis; a mechanism housing; bearing means supporting said housing on the top end of said column for rotation relative to said column about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said column; a drive shaft mounted in said column for rotation about said vertical axis of said column and having an upper end located in the region of the top end of said column; a main shaft mounted in said housing for rotation about said vertical axis and having a lower end located in the region of the lower end of said housing and registering with said upper end of said drive shaft; clutch means for coupling said lower end of said main shaft with said upper end of said drive shaft for rotation together; a work material supporting dial mounted upon said housing for rotation relative to the same about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said housing and located above said upright support column so as to be accessible from all sides; stitch forming mechanism mounted upon said housing for forming stitches in work material supported on said dial; and means connecting said dial and said stitch forming mechanism to said main shaft to rotate said dial about said vertical axis relative to said housing and to drive said stitch forming means in movement synchronized with the relative rotary movement between said dial and said housing when said main shaft is driven by said drive shaft through said clutch means.

2. A dial looper sewing machine comprising, in combination, an upright hollow support column having a vertical axis, said column being of slender frustoconical shape having a wider lower portion; a mechanism housing; bearing means supporting said housing on the top end of said cloumn for rotation relative to said column about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said column; a drive shaft mounted in said column for rotation about said vertical axis of said column and having an upper end located in the region of the top end of said column; a motor mounted in said lower portion of said column; means connecting said motor with the lower end of said drive shaft for driving the latter; a main shaft mounted in said housing for rotation about said vertical axis and having a lower end located in the region of the lower end of said housing and registering with said upper end of said drive shaft; clutch means for coupling said lower end of said main shaft with said upper end of said drive shaft for rotation together; a work material supporting dial mounted upon said housing for rotation relative to the same about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said housing and located above said upright support column so as to be accessible from all sides; stitch forming mechanism mounted upon said housing for forming stitches in work material supported on said dial; and means connecting said dial and said stitch forming mechanism to said main shaft to rotate said dial about said vertical axis relative to said housing and to drive said stitch forming means in movement synchronized with the relative rotary movement between said dial and said housing when said main shaft is driven by said drive shaft through said clutch means.

3. A dial looper sewing machine comprising, in combination, an upright support column having a vertical axis; a mechanism housing; bearing means supporting said housing on the top end of said column for rotation relative to said column about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said column; a drive shaft mounted in said column for rotation about said vertical axis of said column and having an upper end located in the region of the top end of said column, said drive shaft including an upper portion having said upper end, and a lower portion; friction clutch means connecting said upper and lower portions of said drive shaft, said friction clutch means including a pair of discs in frictional engagement, said discs being respectively mounted on said upper and lower portions of said drive shaft connected to the same for rotation, one of said discs being mounted on the respective portion for axial movement, and a spring urging said one disc against the other disc; and means for adjusting the tension of said spring whereby the torque transmitted to said main shaft, dial and stitch foming means can be accurately adjusted; drive means for driving said lower portion of said drive shaft; a main shaft mounted in said housing for rotation about said vertical axis and having a lower end located in the region of the lower end of said housing and registering with said upper end of said drive shaft; clutch means for coupling said lower end of said main shaft with said upper end of said drive shaft for rotation together; a work material supporting dial mounted upon said housing for rotation relative to the same about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said housing and located above said upright support column so as to be accessible from all sides; stitch forming mechanism mounted upon said housing for forming stitches in work material supported on said dial; and means connecting said dial and said stitch forming mechanism to said main shaft to rotate said dial about said vertical axis relative to said housing and to drive said stitch forming means in movement synchronized with the relative rotary movement between said dial and said housing when said main shaft is driven by said drive shaft through said last mentioned clutch means.

4. A dial looper sewing machine comprising, in combination, an upright support column having a vertical axis; a mechanism housing; bearing means supporting said housing on the top end of said column for rotation relative to said column about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said column and including a circular bearing part secured to the top end of said column and a circular support part turnable on said bearing part about said vertical axis; means supporting said mechanism housing on said turnable support part for tilting movement about a horizontal axis spaced from said vertical axis and being located in the lower portion of said housing so that the same can be tilted to an inoperative position in which the upper end of said column and the lower end of said housing are separated and accessible; a drive shaft mounted in said column for rotation about said vertical axis of said column and having an upper end located in the region of the top end of said column; a main shaft mounted in said housing for rotation about said vertical axis and having a lower end located in the region of the lower end of said housing and registering with said upper end of said drive shaft; clutch means for coupling said lower end of said main shaft with said upper end of said drive shaft for rotation together and disengageable in axial direction so that said main shaft and drive shaft are separated when said housing with said main shaft is in said inoperative tilted position; a work material supporting dial mounted upon said housing for rotation relative to the same about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said housing and located above said upright support column so as to be accessible from all sides; stitch forming mechanism mounted upon said housing for forming stitches in work material supported on said dial; and means connecting said dial and said stitch forming mechanism to said main shaft to rotate said dial about said vertical axis relative to said housing and to drive said stitch forming means in movement synchronized with the relative rotary movement between said dial and said housing when said main shaft is driven by said drive shaft through said clutch means.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 4 including a link pivotally secured to said housing and having a slot, and a pin mounted in said slot for sliding movement and secured to said circular support part of said column.

6. A dial looper sewing machine comprising, in combination, an upright support column having a vertical axis; a mechanism housing; bearing means supporting said housing on the top end of said column for rotation relative to said column about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said column; a drive shaft mounted in said column for rotation about said vertical axis of said column and having an upper end located in the region of the top end of said column; a main shaft mounted in said housing for rotation about said vertical axis and having a lower end located in the region of said lower end of said housing and registering with said upper end of said drive shaft; means for coupling said lower end of said main shaft with said upper end of said drive shaft for rotation together and including a pair of pulleys respectively secured to said main shaft and said drive shaft, and another pair of pulleys mounted on said housing for rotation together about a vertical axis, and a pair of belts connecting the pulleys of said pairs, respectively; a work material supporting dial mounted upon said housing for rotation relative to the same about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said housing and located above said upright support column so as to be accessible from all sides; stitch forming mechanism mounted upon said housing for forming stitches in work material supported on said dial; and means connecting said dial and said stitch forming mechanism to said main shaft to rotate said dial about said vertical axis relative to said housing and to drive said stitch forming means in movement synchronized with the relative rotary movement between said dial and said housing when said main shaft is driven by said drive shaft through said pulleys and belts.

7. A dial looper sewing machine comprising, in combination, an upright support column having a vertical axis; a mechanism housing; bearing means supporting said housing on the top end of said column for rotation relative to said column about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said column and including a circular bearing part secured to the top end of said column and a circular support part turnable on said bearing part about said vertical axis; means supporting said mechanism housing on said turnable support part for tilting movement about a horizontal axis spaced from said vertical axis and being located in the lower portion of said housing so that the same can be tilted to an inoperative position in which the upper end of said column and the lower end of said housing are separated and accessible; a drive shaft mounted in said column for rotation about said vertical axis of said column and having an upper end located in the region of the top end of said column; a main shaft mounted in said housing for rotation about said vertical axis and having a lower end located in the region of said lower end of said housing and registering with said upper end of said drive shaft; coupling means having one part including projections, and another part including slots extending in axial direction and receiving said projections for positively coupling said lower end of said main shaft with said upper end of said drive shaft for rotation together while being disengageable in axial direction; a work material supporting dial mounted upon said housing for rotation relative to the same about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said housing and located above said upright support column so as to be accessible from all sides; stitch forming mechanism mounted upon said housing for forming stitches in work material supported on said dial; and means connecting said dial and said stitch forming mechanism to said main shaft to rotate said dial about said vertical axis relative to said housing and to drive said stitch forming means in movement synchronized with the relative rotary movement between said dial and said housing when said main shaft is driven by said drive shaft through said coupling means, and

including a bevel gear secured to said main shaft, and

another bevel gear meshing therewith and mounted on said housing for tilting movement therewith out of meshing engagement.

8. A dial looper sewing machine comprising, in combination, an upright support column having a vertical axis; a mechanism housing; bearing means supporting said housing on the top end of said column for rotation about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said column; a main shaft mounted in said housing for rotation about said vertical axis; a motor mounted on said housing and having a vertical motor shaft projecting into said housing; a pair of pulleys respectively secured to said main shaft and motor shaft, and a belt connecting said pulleys whereby the driving connection bet-ween said motor and said main shaft is maintained during turning movement of said housing on said column; a work material supporting dial mounted upon said housing for rotation relative to the same about a vertical axis coinciding with said vertical axis of said housing and located above said upright support column so as to be accessible from all sides; stitch forming mechanism mounted upon said housing for forming stitches in work material supported on said dial; and means connecting said dial and said stitch forming mechanism to said main shaft to rotate said dial about said vertical axis relative to said housing and to drive said stitch forming means in movement synchronized with the relative rotary movement between said dial and said housing when said main shaft is driven by said drive shaft through said pulleys and said belt.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 543,795 7/ 1895 Arnold 112-26 X 809,855 1/1906 Starr et al 11227 X 1,970,994 8/1934 De Spain 11225 1,975,715 10/1934 De Spain 112-25 2,560,435 7/ 1951 Grandnom 11225 FOREIGN PATENTS 931,210 8/ 1955 Germany.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

THOMAS I HICKEY, Examiner.

Claims

1. A DIAL LOOPER SEWING MACHINE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, AN UPRIGHT SUPPORT COLUMN HAVING A VERTICAL AXIS; A MECHANISM HOUSING; BEARING MEANS SUPPORTING SAID HOUSING ON THE TOP END OF SAID COLUMN FOR ROTATION RELATIVE TO SAID COLUMN ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS COINCIDING WITH SAID VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID COLUMN; A DRIVE SHAFT MOUNTED IN SAID COLUMN FOR ROTATION ABOUT SAID VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID COLUMN AND HAVING AN UPPER END LOCATED IN THE REGION OF THE TOP END OF SAID COLUMN; A MAIN SHAFT MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING FOR ROTATION ABOUT SAID VERTICAL AXIS AND HAVING A LOWER END LOCATED IN THE REGION OF THE LOWER END OF SAID HOUSING AND REGISTERING WITH SAID UPPER END OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT; CLUTCH MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID LOWER END OF SAID MAIN SHAFT WITH SAID UPPER END OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT FOR ROTATION TOGETHER; A WORK MATERIAL SUPPORTING DIAL MOUNTED UPON SAID HOUSING FOR ROTATION RELATIVE TO THE SAME ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS COINCIDING WITH SAID VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID HOUSING AND LOCATED ABOVE SAID UPRIGHT SUPPORT COLUMN SO AS TO BE ACCESSIBLE FROM ALL SIDES; STITCH FORMING MECHANISM MOUNTED UPON SAID HOUSING FOR FORMING STITCHES IN WORK MATERIAL SUPPORTED ON SAID DIAL; AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID DIAL AND SAID STITCH FORMING MECHANISM TO SAID MAIN SHAFT TO ROTATE SAID DIAL ABOUT SAID VERTICAL AXIS RELATIVE TO SAID HOUSING AND TO DRIVE SAID STITCH FORMING MEANS IN MOVEMENT SYNCHRONIZED WITH THE RELATIVE ROTARY MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID DIAL AND SAID HOUSING WHEN SAID MAIN SHAFT IS DRIVEN BY SAID DRIVE SHAFT THROUGH SAID CLUTCH MEANS.