US3906824A

US3906824A - Cutting apparatus for making draperies, curtains, awnings, and the like

Info

Publication number: US3906824A
Application number: US546020*A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald Wade Morgan; David L Witherspoon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1975-01-31
Filing date: 1975-01-31
Publication date: 1975-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-23
Also published as: CA1001545A; GB1511064A

Abstract

This invention provides novel apparatus for cutting a sheet of material into a segment of a desired dimension for making draperies, curtains awnings, and the like therefrom. Basically, the apparatus comprises: support means having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end and an opening therethrough between the ends; supply means mounted adjacent to the first end of the support means for supplying a sheet of material; clamp means mounted adjacent to the second end of the support means for clamping a leading edge of the sheet of material thereto; conveyor means including a conveyor section extending through the support means opening and being engageable with the underside of the sheet of material between the supply means and the clamp means; conveyor drive means for driving the conveyor means to cause a portion of the sheet of material to be disposed on the conveyor section over the support means opening in an inverted generally U-shape; first control means for energizing the conveyor drive means; second control means for deenergizing the conveyor drive means when the height above the support means opening of the bight of the inverted generally Ushape reaches a desired level; and cutter means for severing the trailing edge of the inverted generally U-shape of the sheet of material from the supply means.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Morgan et al.

1451 Sept. 23, 1975 CUTTING APPARATUS FOR MAKING DRAPERIES, CURTAINS, AWNINGS, AND THE LIKE [76] Inventors: Ronald Wade Morgan, 9509 Tiverton Way, Louisville, Ky. 40222; David L. Witherspoon, PO. Box 23182, Anchorage, Ky. 40223 22 Filed: Jan. 31, 1975 21 Appl. No.: 546,020

[52] US. Cl. 83/81; 83/83; 83/155; 83/241; 83/278; 83/282 [51] Int. Cl. B26D 5/24; B26D 5/42 [58] Field of Search 83/81, 83, 155, 222, 241, 83/278, 282

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,715,941 8/1955 Rankin et al. 83/83 X 3,680,418 8/1972 Phillips 83/282 X Primary Examiner--J. M. Meister Attorney, Agent, or FirmHarry B. ODonnell, Ill

[57] ABSTRACT This invention provides novel apparatus for cutting a sheet of material into a segment of a desired dimension for making draperies, curtains awnings, and the like therefrom. Basically, the apparatus comprises: support means having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end and an opening therethrough between the ends; supply means mounted adjacent to the first end of the support means for supplying a sheet of material; clamp means mounted adjacent to the second end of the support means for clamping a leading edge of the sheet of material thereto; conveyor means including a conveyor section extending through the support means opening and being engageable with the underside of the sheet of material between the supply means and the clamp means; conveyor drive means for driving the conveyor means to cause a portion of the sheet of material to be disposed on the conveyor section over the support means opening in an inverted generally U-shape; first control means for energizing the conveyor drive means; second control means for de-energizing the conveyor drive means when the height above the support means opening of the bight of the inverted generally U-shape reaches a desired level; and cutter means for severing the trailing edge of the inverted generally U-shape of the sheet of material from the supply means.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,906,824

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US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,906,824

FIG. 8

CUTTING APPARATUS FOR MAKING DRAPERIES, CURTAINS, AWNINGS, AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for manufacturing draperies, curtains, awnings, and the like and, more particularly, to apparatus for cutting a sheet of material into a segment of a desired dimension for. making draperies, curtains, awnings, and the like therefrom.

The general procedure in manufacturing draperies, curtains, awnings, and the like is to attach side by side, as by sewing, a sufficient number of vertical panels of sheet material to provide the desired overall width of the main section of the drapery, curtain, awning, or the like.

It has, in the past, been common practice, called tabling and cutting, to lay sheet material which is to be made into such segments or panels on a large horizontal table top and to then manually make measurements and manually cut each such required segment or panel from the sheet. This tedious old manual horizontal tabling and cutting procedure can be obviated through the employment of vertical tabling and cutting apparatus such as described in US. Pat. No. 3,738,007. However, while quite good, this patented vertical tabling and cutting apparatus requires a workroom having a height at least somewhat greater than the maximum length of the segment or panel that is to be measured and cut thereby. The present invention provides novel apparatus which, among other things, can greatly reduce the required height of the workroom as compared with that needed for the aforenoted patented vertical tabling and cutting apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides novel apparatus for cutting a sheet of material into a segment of a desired dimension for making draperies, curtains, awnings, .and the like therefrom. Basically, the apparatus comprises: support means having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end and an opening therethrough between the ends; supply means mounted adjacent to the first end of the support means for supplying a sheet of material; clamp means mounted adjacent to the second end of the support means for clamping a leading edge of the sheet of material thereto; conveyor means including a conveyor section extending through the support means opening and being engageable with the underside of the sheet of material between the supply means and the clamp means; conveyor drive means for driving the conveyor means to cause a portion of the sheet of material to be disposed on the conveyor section over the support means opening in an inverted generally U-shape; first control means for energizing the conveyor drive means; second control means for dc-energizing the conveyor drive means when the .height above the support means opening of the bight of the inverted generally U-shape reaches a desired level;

It is further desirable that second clamp means be provided for clamping the sheet of material to the support means adjacent to the trailing edge of the inverted generally U-shape following the operation of the second control means and during the severing operation of the cutter means, that third control means be provided for energizing second drive means to operate the firstmentioned clamp means to clamp the leading edge of the sheet of material to the first end of the support means prior to the operation of the second control means, and that fourth control means be provided for energizing third drive means to operate the second clamp means to clamp the sheet of material to the support means following the operation of the second control means and during the severing by the cutter means. It is yet further desirable that fifth control means be provided that are operable following the operation of the second control means to energize fourth drive means to cause the cutter means to perform the severing and that sixth control means be provided that are operable after completion of the severing by the cutter means to de-energize the drive means for the firstmentioned clamp means and to, then, re-energize the conveyor drive means tofurther transport the severed inverted generally U-shape toward a storage area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

F IG. 1 is a somewhat schematic, right side elevational view of a presently preferred form of the novel apparatus that is provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, schematic left side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating it in a first condition of operation;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 3, but showing the apparatus in another condition of operation;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but showing the apparatus in yet another condition of operation;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, but showing the apparatus in still another condition of operation;

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary elevational perspective view showing in detail the construction of the particular control means of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-6 which can be operated to selectively adjust the desired dimension of the segment or panel of material to be cut thereby; and

FIG. 8 is a diagramatic showing of a presently preferred form of control means for the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to the drawings, and more particularly, to FIGS. 1-6 thereof, there is illustrated a presently preferred embodiment of a novel apparatus 10 that is provided in accordance with the present invention for cutting a sheet of material 1 1 into a segment 12 of a desired dimension for making draperies, curtains, awnings, and the like therefrom.

As illustrated, the apparatus 10 comprises support means 13 including a generally horizontal top surface 14 having a width greater than that of the'widest sheet of the material 11 to be operated upon by the apparatus which is elevated above a workroom floor by plural legs 15. The top surface 14 of the support means 13 has a first end 14A and a second end 148 opposite from its first end 14A and an opening 14C therethrough between those two

ends

14A and 14B.

As best shown in drawing FIGS. 1 and 3-6, supply means 16 are mounted adjacent to the first end 14A' of the top surface- 14 of the support means 13 for supplying the sheet of material 11 to extend across that surface 14 between its firstand

second ends

14A and 14B and over its opening 14C. While other forms, such as catch box, etc., might also be utilized, the illustrated supply means 16 comprises a trough 17 that is mounted between plural ones of the support means legs adjacent to the first end 14A of the support means top surface 14 and removably receives a spool 18 having wrapped around it the sheet of material 11.

As also shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-7, first clamp means 19 are provided adjacent to the second end 14B of the support means top surface 14 for releaseably clamping a leading edge 11A of the sheet of material 11 thereto.

As further shown in FIGS. 17, the apparatus 10 of the present invention further comprises conveyor means 20 including a conveyor section extending through the support means opening 14C and being engageable with the underside of the sheet of material 11 between the supply means 16 and the first clamp means 19. As illustrated, the conveyor means 20 comprises a frame 21 that is mounted adjacent to the second end 14B of the material sheet support means top surface 14. The conveyor frame 21 includes two parallel upright members 21A that are mounted to the material sheet support means 13 adjacent to the opening 14C through its top surface 14 and which are spaced apart from one another by at least the width of that surface 14C and extend upwardly therefrom to a height greater than the top surface 22A of storage means 22 that are provided for subsequently receiving the segment 12 of the sheet of material 11. The conveyor frame 21 fur-' ther includes a pair of generally horizontally arranged, spaced-apart, parallel members which are respectively fixedly joined to the upper ends of the two upright frame members 21A, to extend over the storage means top surface 22A. As best shown in drawing FIG. 1, these two generally horizontally arranged frame members 21B are further supported above the workroom floor by other upright 21C and diagonally arranged 21D frame members.

As best shown in drawing FIGS. 1-7, the conveyor means 21 further comprises a plurality of generally horizontally arranged spaced-apart, parallel rods 21R, each of which has its opposite ends respectively connected to a pair of

endless chains

23A and 23B that are respectively engaged around sprockets 24, which are, in turn, mounted on plural pairs of

rotatable shafts

24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-6, a first pair of these sprocketed shafts 24A are rotatably joumalled in the legs 15 of the sheet support means 13, which are located adjacent to the second end of the support means top surface 14 and at an elevation sufficiently lower than the opening 14C through that surface 14, such that the chain-carried rods 21R can be located beneath that opening 14C for movement therethrough and engagement with the underside of a sheet of material 11 situated between the supply means 14 and the first clamp means 19. And, as further illustrated, the other pairs of these sprocketed

shafts

24B, 24C, and 24D are respectively rotatably journalled in the conveyor frame means 21 at the junction of its upright frame members 21A, and generally horizontally arranged frame members 218, at the distal ends of its generally horizontallyarranged frame members 21B, and at a bracket 25 that extends downwardly from its generally horizontal frame members 218 at a point between the aforenoted junction and the storage means 22.

As further shown in drawing FIGS. 1-3 and 6, drive means 26 are provided for driving the conveyor means 20 to cause a portion of the sheet of material 1 1, which has been previously situated on the sheet support means top surface 14 between the supply means 16 and the front clamp means 19 with its leading edge clamped to the second end 148 of that surface 14 by the first clamp means 19, to have its underside engaged by one of the conveyor rods 21R and thus cause a portion of the sheet of material 11 to be disposed on the conveyor rod 21R over the opening 14C through the support means top surface 14 in an inverted generally U-shaped l 1U (See especially drawing FIG. 4). As illustrated, these conveyor drive means 26 include a first electric motor 27 mounted by a bracket 27F to the sheet support means 13 and having a rotary output shaft 27A mounting a first sheave 28A that is connected by an endless belt 29 to another sheave 288 that is connected to one of the two shafts of the lower-most pair 24A of sprocketed shafts of the conveyor means 21.

In accordance with the present invention, and as best shown in drawing FIG. 8, the apparatus 10 of the present invention is also provided with first control means, including a normally open manually operated electrical switch 30, that is mounted on the sheet support means adjacent to the front clamp means 19, which can be I closed by an operator of the apparatus 10, to energize the electric motor 27 and thus, in turn, cause the conveyor means 20 to be driven as described in the foregoing paragraph. And, second control means, including a first limit switch means 31 comprising a plurality of

switch contacts

31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and 31E housed within a single switch housing 31H that is mounted on one of the upright members 21A of the conveyor frame means 21 for adjustable vertical movement relative thereto by means which will be described in detail hereinafter, and having a common actuator 31T for the

plural switch contacts

31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, and 31E which can be engaged and operated by cam means 21T carried by one of the two conveyor means chains 238 tode-energize theconveyor drive means motor 27 when the height above the support means opening 14C of the bight of the aforedescribed inverted generally U- shaped llU of the sheet of material 11 reaches a desired level.

As best shown in drawing FIG. 7, the switch housing 31H of the aforedescribed first limit switch means 31 is connected to another endless ,chain 32 that is engaged around sprockets 33, which are, in turn, mounted on two

rotatable shafts

34A and 34B that are respectively rotatably joumalled in the upright member 21A of the conveyor frame means 21 adjacent its upper and lower ends. And, the lower one 343 of these two i sprocketed shafts34A and 34B has a handwheel 34C attached to its distal end. With'this arrangement, the handwheel 34C can be manually operated by an operator of the apparatus to cause vertical movement of the switch housing 31H with respect to the conveyor frame means upright member 21A, such that the height of the common actuator 31T for the

plural switch contacts

31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and 31E above the sheet support means opening 14C can be adjustably located at a variety of desired elevations. Furthermore, indicator means 35, such as the illustrated tape measure which has its distal end 35A connected to the switch housing 31H and its casing 35C fixed to the sheet support means 13 adjacent the front end 14B of the top surface 14 thereof, are preferably provided for indicating the height above the support means opening 14C at which the bight of the aforedescribed inverted U-shape ;llU of the sheet of material 11 will be located when .the conveyor drive means motor 27 is de-energized through engagement of the common actuator 31T and the limit switch 31 by the conveyor chain-carried cam means 211.

As further illustrated, the apparatus 10 of the present invention is further provided with cutter means 36 for severing the trailing edge of the aforedescribed inverted generally U-shape 11U of the sheet of material 11 from the material supply means 16 after the location at the desired height above the support means opening 14C of the bight of that generally inverted U-shape 11U has been reached through the aforedescribed, respective, energization and deenergization of the conveyor drive means motor 27 by the switch means 30 and 31. As best shown in drawing FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, the cutter means 36 comprises a blade 37 that is mounted on a carriage 38 which can be driven by a reversible electrically-controlled motor 39 to move the blade 37 in a generally horizontal plane, to and fro, across the width of the front end 14B'of the sheet support means top surface 14. The cutter blade 37 is mounted on the carriage 38, which is, in turn, movably mounted on a rail 40 that is supported by brackets 40A to extend hor- 'izontally across the width of the sheet support means top surface '14 at a point located adjacent to the opening 14C therethrough. The cutter blade carriage drive motor 39 has a reversible rotary output shaft (not shown) that is drivingly connected by means of a cable 41 and plural pulleys 42 (only one shown in drawing FIG. 1) to the carriage 38 and the carriage rail 40. And, as best shown in drawing FIG. 8, the cutter carriage drive motor 39 is controlled by electrical control means which include a first electrical coil 39T, that is operable when energized to operate the cutter carriage drive motor 39 to cause the cutter blade carriage 38 to be moved horizontally in a first direction along the carriage rail 40, and a second electrical coil 39F that is op- ;erable when energized to operate the cutter carriage drive motor 39 to cause the cutter blade carriage 38 to be moved horizontally in a second direction, opposite from the aforedescribed first direction along the carriage rail 40.

I In further accordance with the present invention, the [apparatus 10 of the present invention is also preferably provided with second clamp means 49 for clamping the sheet of material 11 to the sheet support means 13 ad- 'jacent to the trailing edge of the aforedescribed generally inverted U-shape 11U following the aforedescribed de-energization of the conveyor drive means motor 27 through theengagement of the first limit switch actua.

tor 31T by the cam means 21T, and prior to the starting of the operation of the cutter means to sever the generally inverted U-shape 11U from the material supply means 16. These second clamp means 49, are, of course, mounted to the, sheet support means 13 adjacent to an opposite edge of the opening 14C through the top surface 14 thereof from that where the front clamp means 19 are located. i

As further illustrated, the construction of both the first clamp means 19 and the second clamp means 49 is somewhat similar. Each respectively comprises a piece of

angle iron

50A and 50B that has its opposite ends connected to the

piston rods

51A and 51B of two pairs of fluid-powered, electrically controlled, reciprocating motors 52A and 528 which respectively comprise the two separately operable drive means therefor, such that a flat face of each

piece

50A and 508 extends horizontally across the width of the sheet support means top surface 14.

However, with the first clamp means 19, the drive means piston rods 51A are normally retracted (as by a spring, not shown), elevating the flat surface of their clamp piece 50A above the sheet support means top surface 14, but can be operated through the energization of electrical control means including an electrical coil 19F to move to an extended position clamping the leading edge 11A of the sheet of material 1 l to the second edge 14B of the sheet support means top surface 14.

On the other hand, with the second clamp means 49, the drive means piston rods 51B are normally extended (as by a spring, now shown), elevating the flat surface of their clamp piece 508 above the sheet support means top surface 14 but can. be operated through the energization of electrical control means including an electrical coil 49S to move to a retracted position clamping the sheet of material 11 adjacent the trailing edge of the aforedescribed generally inverted U-shape 11U to the sheet support means top surface 14.

As further shown in drawing FIGS. 2 and 8, the presently preferred form of the apparatus 10 of the present invention further includes two other electrical limit switches and 61 in addition to the aforedescribed first limit switch means 31. One of these two other limit switches 60 comprises two switch contacts 60A and 60B housed within a single switch housing 60H that is mounted on one of the cutter carriage rail brackets 40A and has a common actuator 60T for its two switch contacts 60A and 608 which can be engaged and oper ated by cam means 38F that :are mounted on one side of the cutter blade carriage 38. And, the second of these two other limit switches 61 comprises two switch contacts 61A and 61B housed within a single switch housing 60H that is mounted on the opposite one of the cutter carriage rail brackets 40A and has a common actuator 61T for its two switch contacts 61A and 61B which can be engaged and operated by cam means 3ST that are mounted on the opposite side of the cutter blade carriage 38.

As shown in detail in drawing FIG. 8, the control means of the presently preferred form of the apparatus 10 of the present invention include the aforedescribed main switch 30 which is connected in electrical series across a pair of power supply lines 1., and L by

conductors

63, 64, 65, 66 and 67 with the aforedescribed electrical drive coil 19F for the front clamp means 19 through a normally closed contact 31A of the first limit switch 31, a normallyopen contact 60A of a first of the other two limit switches 60 and a normally closed contact 61A of the second of the other two limit switches. The conveyor drive means motor coil 27 is connected in electrical parallel around the aforenoted first clamp dirve means coil 19F and

switch contacts

31A, 60A and 61A by

conductors

68, 69, 70 and 71 through the normally closed contact 318 of the first limit switch 31. And, a possible by-pass circuit is provided for the conveyor drive means coil 27 through

conductors

72 and 73 and the normally open contact 613 of the second one of the other two limit switches 61. As further shown, another possible by-pass circuit is also provided around the

switch contacts

31A and 60A through

conductors

68, 74 and 75 and the normally open contact 31C of the first limit switch 31.

The first electrical coil 39T of the cutter carriage drive means 39 is connected in electrical parallel by

conductors

68, 74, 76, 77 and 78 around the

contacts

31A, 60A and 61A and the electrical drive coil 19F for the first clamp means 19 through the normally open contact 31D of the first limit switch 31. And, the second electrical coil 39F for the cutter carriage drive means 39 is electrically connected in electrical parallel around the contact 31D and the first cutter drive means coil 391' through the normally closed contact 31E of the first limit switch by

conductors

79, 80 and 81. Finally, the electrical drive coil 49$ for the second clamp means 49 is connected in electrical parallel around the switch contact 31E and the second electrical coil 39F for the cutter drive means 39 through the normally closed contact 618 of the second other limit switch 61 and the conductors 83 and 84.

OPERATION To cut the sheet of material 11 into the segment 12 of a desired dimension for making draperies, curtains, awnings, and the like therefrom with the illustrated novel apparatus of the present invention, the operator begins with the apparatus in its rest condition; i.e., with the main electric switch 30 in its open position, with the cutter carriage cam means 38F engaging the actuator 60T of the electric limit switch 60, and with the leading one of the chain-carried rods 21R of the conveyor means located beneath the opening 14C through the sheet support means top surface 14.

Then, the operator places the spooled sheet of the material 1 1 that is to be operated upon into thesupply means trough 17.

Next, the operator rotates the handwheel 34C to adjustably locate the height above the sheet support means opening 14C at which the common actuator 31T for the

plural switch contacts

31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and 31E will subsequently be engaged and operated by the cam means 21T carried by the conveyor drive means chain 23B. Preferably, this height, is indicated to the operator by the indicator means 35 and is substantially equal to one-half of the desired length dimension of the segment 12.

At this stage of operation, the positions of the aforedescribed switch contacts of the presently preferred form of control means for the apparatus 10 (See especially drawing FIG. 8) will be as follows:

Switch contacts

31A, 31B, 31E, 60A and 61A will all be closed; and switch contacts 31C, 31D, 60B, and 61B and main switch contacts 30 will all be open. And, all drive means will be de-energized, with, consequently, both the first clamp 19 ,and second clamp 49 means

bars

50A and 50B being disengaged from the sheet support means top surface 14.

Then, the operator pulls the leading edge of the sheet of material 11 from the supply means spool 18, across the opening 14C through the support means top surface 14 and located it between the second end 14B of that surface 14 and the retracted bar 50A of the first clamp means 19.

Next, the operator closes the main electric switch 30 to maintain it in a closed position, and this has the following results: (1) The first clamp drive means electric coil 19F is electrically energized by passage of electric current from line L to line L through the now closed main switch 30, conductor 63, now closed switch contact 31A, conductor 64, now closed 60A, conductor 65, now closed switch contact 61A, and conductors 66 and 67, to engage the leading edge of the sheet of material 11 between the then extended first clamp means bar 50A and the second end 14B of the sheet support means top surface 14 (FIG. 3); (2) the conveyor drive means motor electric coil 27 is energized by passage of electric current from line L, to line L through the now closed main switch 30, conductors 63 and 68, now closed switch contact 31B and conductors 69, 70 and 71 to operate the conveyor means 20 to engage the leading one of the conveyor rods 21R with the underside of the leading edge-only clamped sheet of material 11 adjacent to the opening 14C through the sheet support means top surface 14 and commence formation of the inverted generally U-shape llU while, simultaneously, moving the conveyor chain-carried cam means 21T towards engagement with the first limit switch actuator 31T (FIG. 4); and ('3) the second drive means electric coil 39F for the cutter blade carriage 38 is electrically energized by passage of electric current from line L, to line L through the now closed main switch 30, conductors 63, 68, 74, 76 and 79, now

' closed switch contact 31E, and

conductors

80, 81, 78

and 71, to move the cutter carriage 38 along its rail means 40 so as to retain its cam means 38F in engagement with the actuator 60T of the first other limit switch 60.

The just described condition of operation is maintained until the first limit switch actuator 31T is engaged and operated by the conveyor-carried cam means 21T (FIG. 5), whereupon, the aforedescribed switch contacts are, then, re-arranged as follows: switch

contacts

31A, 31B and 31E are all open; switch contacts 31C and 31D are both closed; and main switch 30 and switch contact 61A both remain closed.

The following then occurs: (1) The conveyor drive means motor coil 27 is de-energized by the opening of the switch contact 31A when the bight portion of the inverted generally U-shape portion of the sheet of material 11 has reached the previously selected desired height above the opening 14C through the sheet support means top surface 14; (2) however, the first clamp means 19 continue to retain the leading edge of thegenerally U-shaped portion llU of the sheet of material II in engagement with the second end 14B of that surface 14 because of the continued energization of their drive means electric coil 19 by passage of an electric current from line L, to line L through the still closed main switch 30,

conductors

63, 68 and 74, then closed switch contacts 31C, conductors and 65, still closed switch contact 61A, and conductors 66 and 67; and (3) while the second drive means electric coil 39F for the cutter carriage 38A is de-energized by the aforedescribed opening of the switch contact 31E, the first drive means electric coil 39T for the cutter carriage 38 is then energized by passage of electric current from line L to line L through the still closed main switch 30,

conductors

63, 68, 74 and 76, then closed switch contact 31D, and

conductors

77, 78 and 71.

This just described electric energization of the electric coil 39T for the cutter carriage 38 now causes the carriage and its cam means 38F to be moved along the carriage rail 40 and out of engagement with the actuator 60'! for the first other limit switch 60. And, this, in turn, results in the opening of switch contact 60A and the closing of switch contact 608. The opening, at this time, of the switch contact 60A does not, because of the aforedescribed closure of the switch contact 31C,

result in the opening of the first clamp means 19 from engagement with the leading edge of the sheet of material 11. However, the just described closure of the switch contact 6013 does, at this time, result in operation of the second clamp means 49 to clampingly engage with its bar 50B the sheet of material 11 to the sheet support means top surface 14 adjacent the trailing edge of the generally U-shaped portion 11U thereof, by passage of electric current from line L to line L through the still closed main switch 30,

conductors

63, 68, 74, 76, 79 and 82, the then closed switch contact 608, and

conductors

83, 84, 81, 78 and 71.

During this just-described condition of operation of the apparatus 10, the segment 12 of the desired dimension is severed from the material supply means 16 through the action by the cutter blade 37 that is moved with the cutter carriage 38 along the carriage rail 40 by the energization of the carriage first drive means electric coil 39T on the trailing edge of the now stopped and fore and aft clamped inverted generally U-shaped portion 11U of the sheet of material 11 (FIGS. 1 and 5).

Once the severing operation has been completed by the cutter means 36, the other cam means 3ST on the cutter carriage 38 will then be engaged with the actuator 61T of the second other limit switch 61 to open the switch contact 61A and to close the switch contact The opening of the switch contact 61A then deenergizes the first clamp means electric coil 19F and frees the segment 12 from engagement to the second end 148 of the support means top surface 14 by the bar 50A of the first clamp means 19. And, the closure of the switch contact 61B re-energizes the conveyor drive means motor electric coil 27 by passage of an electric current from line L to line L, through the still closed :main switch 30,

conductors

63 and 72, the now closed switch contact 618 and

conductors

73, 70 and 71, thus causing the conveyor means to be operated to convey the severed segment 12 toward the storage means 22 therefor and, simultaneously, move the conveyorcarried cam means 21T past and out of contact with the switch actuator 31T of the first limit switch 31.

After the conveyor cam means 21T has been moved ipast and out of engagement with the first limit switch actuator 31T, as just described above, the aforedes- :cribed switch contacts are, once again, re-arranged as follows: switch

contacts

31A, 31B and 3115 will all again be closed; switch contacts 31C and 31D both will again be opened; main switch 30 and switch contact 608 will remain closed; and switch contact 60A will remain open. The following then occurs: (1) The justdescribed opening .of the switch contact 31D deenergizes the first drivemeans electric coil 39T for the cutter blade carriage 38, while the just-described closure of the switch contact 31E results in re-energization of thesecond drive means electric coil 39F for the cutter blade carriage 38 by passage of an electrical current from line L, to line L, through the still closed main switch 30, conductors 63, 68, 74, 76 and 79, now closed switch contact 31B and conductors 80, 81, 78 and 71 to move the cutter carriage 38 along its rail means 40 so as to remove its cam means 3ST from engagement with the actuator 61T of the second other limit switch, thus allowing reclosure of switch contact 61A and re-opening of switch contact 618 and simultaneously moving the other cam means 38F toward ultimate re-engagement with the actuator T of the first other limit switch; and (2) the just-described re-closure of the switch contact 31B continues to re-energize the conveyor drive means coil 27 by passage of an electric current from line L to line L through the still closed main switch 30, conductors 63 and 68, the re-closed switch contacts 318 and the conductors 69, and 71, continuing the transport of the just-severed segment 12 toward the storage means 22 therefor, upon the top surface of which 22A, the same is ultimately deposited, as best shown in drawing FIG. 6.

Now, during the intervening time period between the aforedescribed re-energization of the second cutter carriage drive means coil 39F by the reclosure of switch contact 31E, and the subsequent re-engagement and operation of the switch actuator 60T by the cam means 38F carried by the cutter carriage 38, the operator places the leading edge ofthe remainder of the, as yet unused, sheet of material 11 between the second end 148 of the sheet support means top surface 14 and the retracted bar 50A of the first clamp means 19. However, none of this, as yet unused, remaining portion of the sheet of material 11 will be engaged by the conveyor means 21 until after the occurrence of the aforenoted re-engagement of the cutter carriage cam means 38F with the actuator 60T of the first other limit switch 60 to operate the same to re-open switch 'contact 608 and, thus, de-energize the second clamp drive means electric coil 49S and release the second clamp means 49 from engagement therewith, and to reclose the switch contact 60A and thus re-energize the first clamp drive means electric coil 19F by passage of electric current from line L to line L through the still closed main switch 30, conductor 63, the re-closed switch contact 31A, conductor 64, just re-closed switch contact 60A, conductor 65, re-closed contact 61A and conductors 66 and 67.

Unless the main switch 30 is now manually re-opened by the operator, the apparatus 10 will now, essentially repeat the aforedescribed operational sequence and form and store a second segment, of identical dimension, to the segment 12. Should, however, the operator wish to adjust the length dimension of any such second or subsequent segment that is to be provided by the apparatus 10, this can, of course, be accomplished by manually opening the main switch 30 and then rotating the handwheel 34 to re-adjust the elevation location of the actuator 31T of the first limit switch 31 prior to the engagement of the remaining, as yet unused, portion of the sheet of material 11 by the leading one of the conveyor rods 21R.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that while there has been described what presently is considered to be a presently preferred embodiment of this invention in accordance with the Patent Statutes, changes may be made in the disclosed apparatus without actually departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications that may not depart from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for cutting a sheet of material into a segment of a desired dimension for making draperies, curtains, awnings, and the like, therefrom, comprising:

a. support means having a first end and a second end opposite from said first end and an opening therethrough between said ends;

b. supply means mounted adjacent to said first end of said support means for supplying a sheet of material;

c. clamp means mounted adjacent to said second end of said support means for clamping a leading edge of said sheet of material thereto;

d. conveyor means including a conveyor section extending through said support means opening and being engageable with the underside of said sheet of material between said supply means and said clamp means;

e. conveyor drive means for driving said conveyor means to cause a portion of said sheet of material to be disposed on said conveyor section over said support means opening in an inverted generally U- shape;

f. first control means for energizing said conveyor drive means;

g. second control means for de-energizing said conveyor drive means when the height above said support means opening of the bight of said inverted generally U-shape reaches a desired level; and

h. cutter means for severing the trailing edge of said inverted generally U-shape of said sheet of material from said supply means.

2. The invention of claim 1, further including second clamp means for clamping said sheet of material to said support means adjacent to the trailing edge of said inverted generally U-shape during said severing by said cutter means.

3. The invention of claim 2, further including:

a. third control means for energizing second drive means to operate said first-mentioned clamp means to clamp the leading edge of said sheet of material to said first end of said support means prior to the operation of said second control means; and

b. fourth control means for energizing third drive means to operate said second clamp means to clamp said sheet of material to said support means following the operation of said second control means and prior to said severing by said cutter means.

4. The invention of claim 3, further including fifth control means for energizing fourth drive means to cause said cutter means to perform said severing.

5. The invention of claim 4, further including sixth control means operable after said severing by said cutter means to de-energize said drive means for said firstmentioned clamp means and to, then, re-energize said conveyor drive means to further transport the severed inverted generally U-shape toward a storage area.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said desired level can be selectively adjusted by said second control means.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said desired level is substantially equal to one-half of the desired dimension of said segment.

8. The invention of claim 5, wherein said desired level is substantially equal to one-half of the desired dimension of said segment.

9. The invention of claim 1, wherein said desired level can be selectively adjusted by said second control means.

mension of said segment.

Claims

1. Apparatus for cutting a sheet of material into a segment of a desired dimension for making draperies, curtains, awnings, and the like, therefrom, comprising: a. support means having a first end and a second end opposite from said first end and an opening therethrough between said ends; b. supply means mounted adjacent to said first end of said support means for supplying a sheet of material; c. clamp means mounted adjacent to said second end of said support means for clamping a leading edge of said sheet of material thereto; d. conveyor means including a conveyor section extending through said support means opening and being engageable with the underside of said sheet of material between said supply means and said clamp means; e. conveyor drive means for driving said conveyor means to cause a portion of said sheet of material to be disposed on said conveyor section over said support means opening in an inverted generally U-shape; f. first control means for energizing said conveyor drive means; g. second control means for de-energizing said conveyor drive means when the height above said support means opening of the bight of said inverted generally U-shape reaches a desired level; and h. cutter means for severing the trailing edge of said inverted generally U-shape of said sheet of material from said supply means.

3. The invention of claim 2, further including: a. third control means for energizing second drive means to operate said first-mentioned clamp means to clamp the leading edge of said sheet of material to said first end of said support means prior to the operation of said second control means; and b. fourth control means for energizing third drive means to operate said second clamp means to clamp said sheet of material to said support means following the operation of said second control means and prior to said severing by said cutter means.

5. The invention of claim 4, further including sixth control means operable after said severing by said cutter means to de-energize said drive means for said first-mentioned clamp means and to, then, re-energize said conveyor drive means to further transport the severed inverted generally U-shape toward a storage area.

10. The invention of claim 1, wherein said desired level is substantially equal to one-half of the desired dimension of said segment.