US964124A - Fabric laying and folding machine. - Google Patents

Description

M. L. & C. M. SHAPERA. m1111111 LAYING A111) FOLDING 111111111113.

APPLIgATIoN' FILED 11011.11. 190s.

Patented July 12, 1910.

4 QHEETS-SHEET 1.

M. L. & C. M. SHAPERA. FABRIC LAYING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

v APPLICATION FILED NOV. l1, 1908. 964,124. Patented Ju1y12,1910.

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M. L. & G. M. SHAPBRA. FABRIC LAYING AND FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED Nov. 11I 190e. 964,124. l Patented July 12,1910;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M. L. sz-c. M. SEMBRA. FABRIC LAYING AND FOLDINGMAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1v1, 1908.

manned Ju1y12,1910.

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saire sarna lila . MRRIS L. SI-IAPERA ND CHARLES IVI. SHAPERA, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FABRIC LAYIN'G AND FOLDING MACHINE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented July 12, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Monnrs L. SHAPERA' and CHARLES M. SHAPERA, citizens of the United States, and residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State o Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fabric Laying and. Folding Machines, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to fabric laying and folding machines, and particularly contemplates a device which operates entirely automatically.

' Machines to the class to which our inveir tion relates are adapted for use in4 garment making and similar industries where a' large number of 'standard pieces are cut simultaneously.

In, order to secure a multitude of pieces,

for instance garment sections, which are precisely alike, it has become the custom to fold the fabric back and forth into layers of the formed in accordance with a predetermined It is evident that to so lay and relay the cloth manually would involve considerable labor in `view particularly of the fact that theA layers must frequently be of considerable length. In order to-obviate this diiculty, machines have been designed to carry the rimarybolt back and flirth and to thus flied the fabric onto the pile. While these devices of the prior art relieved the operator of a great deal of labor, still constant attendance -was absolutely essen-4 tial. The device of our invention requires no attention after having been set into operation until theentire bolt has been properly laid out.

As in the prior structures, the device of our invention 'comprises essentially a reciprocating carriage and means at each end of the path for holding the ends of the pile.

,Our invention provides for the automatic propulsion of the carriage and for the o eration of the end clamps by the impact o the carriage. It is this impact of the carriage at the end of the travel that reversesthe direction of the carriage, operates the guiding mechanism forthe end of the fold of the fabric, actuatet` the Aend clamping mechanisms to grasp the successive folds of the pile, and operates mechanism to gradually raise the guiding means as the pile increases.

Our invention is embodied in the structure Mounte illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichf Figure 1 is a front elevational tiew thereof; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is an end elevational. View of the carriage taken on the line w-- of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows 3, 3; Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of one of the end clamps taken on theline il-w of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows 4, 4; Fig. 5 is a sectional detail View on a larger scale taken on the lline -5-5 of Fig. 2 and lookin in thel direction indicated by the arrows; ig. 6 is a plan view-of the portion shown in detail in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an end elevational detail view on an enlarged scale of part ofthel end clamp mechanism; Fig. S is a sectionaldetail view,

4on the same scale as that of Fig. 7 ,taken on theline 8--8 of Fig. 4 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 9 is a` detail View on a larger scale of part of the reversingmechanism t-o be described, being a sectional view taken on the line `9--9V of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a detail view on a larger scale of part of the fabric directing means to be described, being a front elevational 'View thereof. Fig. 11 is a side velevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 1l). Fig. 12 is an underside view of the switching mechanism (enlarged), the circuit connections therefor being shown diagranimatically, and Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of part ofthe carriage and one of theend clam s illustrating a modified form which may ge employed. l

Like reference numerals are applied to the lsame parts throughout the various ligures. l

The entire arrangement to be described is mounted upon what iscommonly known as a cutting table, indicated at 14 in Fig.4 1, a pair of tracks 15, 15 being provided, upon which the carriage may reci rocate. The primary supporting element o the carriage comprises the outer upright side members 16, 16, the inner upright side members 17,

17 and the horizontal frame at the, tops df the side members which consists of the'longitudinal members 1818 andthe transverse members 19, v19, these p arts being rigidly secured to ether to form a resistant structure.

upon shafts 20, 20 b'etweentheh` outer and inner side members are the pairs tracks, as illustrated in the various figures. To secure the automatic ropulsion of the carriage, we have rovide a motive device, conveniently an e ectrie motor 22, inverted and fastened to the under side of the transverse members 19, 19 of the horizontal frame portion of the supporting structure. The rotor of this device 1s provided wlth a pmion 23 which meshes with a gear whec 24 rigidly secured upon a transverse shaft 25 journaled in bearings 26, 26 on the longitudinally extending cross pieces 27, 27 of the upright side members 16 and 17, respectively. Between the side4 members 16 and 17 at each side of the machine this transverse shaft 25 is provided with a sprocket wheel 28 which is op ratively connected by means of a sprocket chain 29 wit"k a sprocketA wheel 30, preferably of largei diameter than the sprocket wheel 28, rigi, ly concentrically secured to the respective roller ends oy .the oscillating levers 51, 51 are pivwheel 21. Thus the lrotation of the motor is transmitted to the roller wheels to cause movement of the carriage.

On each side of the machine, mounted i-n an enlargement 31 on the cross piece 27 of the inner side member 17 and thel corresponding longitudinal member 18 is a screw rod 32, this rod, however, not having threaded engagement with these parts. The screw rod 32 has in threaded engagement therewith above the member 18, a ratchet wheel 33 and it is by this engagement that the rod is supported. A. walking lever 34 is lloosely pivoted upon the rod 32 and is disposed between the ratchet wheel 33 and vthe member 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, the purpose of this lever beingv hereinafter clearly pointed out.

At the lower end of each of the screw rodsA 32 there is provided'the supporting plate 35 and to Ithis plate is pivoted at 36 the end plate 37 of a guiding system. Between the two end` plates 37 a rod 38 is spanned and upon his rod is mounted the roller 39. Next this roller is mounted a second roller 40, the pivot rod 41 thereof being set in the end platesin. an elongated slot (not shown) to permit, of movement thereof toward and away .tram the roller 39. Loosely mounted on the pivot rod 41 at each end of the roller are the washers 42 with which a coiled spring 43 is connected, this spring being fastened at its other end to the end plate. Thus the roller 4() is always maintained. toward the roller 39.

Rigidly secured in symmetrically extend ing ears on theend plates, as shown inl? ig. 5, are the guiding plates 44, 44. llhese plates are arranged to engage the fabric to tuck it beneath the end clamps as will be explained, the fabric passing downwardly between the rollers 39 and 40 as :it passes from the bolt above, as will be explained, under the guide rod 45 secured between the inner cross pieces 27, 27 and over the roller 46 mounted upon the pivot rod 47 mounted parallel and similarly to the rod 45.

In order to secure the swinging of the guidin mechanism about its pivots 36, 36 the fol owingV construction is provided: -Secured between the cross member 27 and the lower cross member of one of the outer side members 16, 16 is a vertical bar 48 having a slot 49 in which an adjustable pivot stud 50 is set. Upon this stud 50 'the oscillating levers 51, 51 are pivoted, preferably independently, in such va position that the lower ends of each may engage a pin 52 on the outside of the adjacent end plate of the guiding mechanism. These oscillating le vers are preferably held in constant engagement -with their respective pins 52 by the coil d tension spring 53. At the upper otally connected at 54, 54, the reci rocating rods V 5, 55 respectively, these ro's loosely sliding in bearings 55, 55, between the inner and outer" side plates 17 and 16, respectively. The rods 55, 55 are provided attheir free ends. with the heads 56, 56

the purpose of which will be hereinafter pointed out. It is, of course, apparent that this lever arrangement may be provided at either one or both sides of the machine, but we have, for the purposes of a disclosure, merely shown it upon one side.

It will become apparent as' the descrip,

tion proceeds that the best `operation of the machine requires a gradual rise in the oscillating mechanism during the working thereof. To secure this result the following construction is provided: Pivoted at 57, 57 in the lower cross bar of the outer side member 16 at each side of the screw rod 32, are the rocking levers 58, 58, having the inwardly turned portions 59, 59 so as to be pivoted at 60, 60 to the opposite ends of the horizontal walking levers 34. Mounted upon the reciprocating rods 55, 5 5 are the adjustable lingersy 61, 61 disposed in path to engage the rocking levers 58, 58. It is apparent now that inward movement of one of the rods 55, 55 will cause the linger carried thereby to engage the corresponding rocking lever 58 to effect a considerable oscillation of the walking lever 34. The eX- tent of this oscillation. may be gaged by the to the member 18 and engages the ratchet to form a catch to prevent retraction and to insure positive and determined movement. It is evident that repeated reciprocation oi the rods 55, 5 will eliect the gradual rise of the guiding mechanism; rotation of the screw bar 32 being prevented b the mechl 18, which rotation is effected by the lever and pawl arrangement, will cause a rise of the screw bar. This mechanism being provided on.each side ofthe machine, the guidino' mechanism will rise uniformly on both si es. When it is desired to lower the guiding mechanism the pawl 62 and the spring catch 64 are withdrawn manually and the ratchet wheel rotated in the opposite direction. Since, in the device, as herein illustratcd, the shifting mechanism comprising oscillating levers 51, 51 is provided at but one side of the machine, it 1s apparent that the reciprocating bars 55, 55 of the opposite side may be attached directly to the rocking bars 58, 58 and the heads 56, 56 thereof may be adjusted solas to get the proper movement. Upon the horizontal frame portion of the structural support an auxiliary frame 65 is provided, and itis upon this auxiliary frame that the bolt` from which the fabric is fed rests. On each side of this frame upwardly extending arms G6, 6G are provided which carry at the upper ends a pivot rod (37 upon which a roller 68 is mounted. The fabric is passed over this roller and then over a roller 69 mounted upon a. pivot rod 70 secured in the brace 71 of the horizontal frame, and from this roller the fabric passes under the cross rod 45 and so on as has heretofore been described. In order to direct the fabric we provide the following arrangement: One of the transverse members 19, preferably the one nearest directly below the roller 68, has mounted thereon a supporting block 72 which has a downwardly extending port-ion through which bolts 7 3, 73 may pass and through the slot 74 in the downwardly extendin portion of the transverse bar. Thus adjustmentof the block is made possible according, as'will be noticed, to the widths of the fabrics, the slot being of suiicient length to meet the standard requirements. This block is formed to support the radiating arms 75, 7G, and 77, the arm 75 extending toward, and having'a hook extending over the roller '68, the arm 76 extending toward and having a hook extend- "we provide means for reversing 'the direction of the electric motor employed'for propulsion. To secure this reversal the poles of the motor are changed by way of a pole changing switch 78 secured to the under side of the transverse bars 19, as shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 12 we have shown an underside view of the same lwherein the contacts 79, 79 and the movable element 80 is illustrated. The switch is there shown diagramniatically and may beof any ordinary pole changing type whereby, when in one position, the current passes through the mo'tor connected therewith as shown on the figure in a certain direction while in the other position it passes therethrough in the opposite direction. A line switch 7 8:L is provided so that the carriage may be started and stopped as desired. To secure this reversal there is provided the shifting bar 81 which `slides upon the transverse members 19 and carries a brace 82 which has downwardly extending therefrom a fork 88 with which the handle of-'the movable element 80 of the switch 78 engages. It is apparent that shifting the rod will causemnvement of the switch. To secure this movement in one direction the following construction 'isprovidedz The bar 81 extends in'to the brace 84 on the end of the horizontal frame of the primary struc-' ture and is provided with a head 85. In alinement with this head and on the outside of the brace is secured a plunger case 86 in which a plunger rod 87 slides. clearly shown inF ig. 9. The rod 87 has a transverse pin 88 inside the case and a helical spring 89 is disposed about the rod between the pin and the inner end of the case.

A head 90 is provided for the rod and the 'the outside of the brace 71 in alinement with the plate 94 and for the same purpose, thus providing means for shifting the switch in the opposite direction.

ln order to maintain count of the number of layers in the pile of fabric being formed, we provide a cyclometer 95 upon one of lthe side members 16, the operating element 96,

thereof being arranged to strike a fellow member 97 disposed in its path. This operating element is effected when the carriage passes in either direction so an accurate record may be kep't.

So that the pile may be kept taut and compact we have arranged opposite end This is A spring plunger arrangement 3; pact which secures the actuation of the operative parts of the carriage. i These end clampsl are alike and the same reference numerals `have been applied relatively 1n each. This primary supporting structure is a U-shaped frame 98.

an abutment 99 in alinemcnt with the plunger mechanism for operating the' switching mechanism as indicated in dotanddash lines in Fig. 1. Thus when the carriage passes in one direction. the plunger strikes the approached abutment, the switch is thereby shifted as has been described. and the motor operates oppositely to propel the carriage in the reverse direction. The carriage then approaches the opposite abut.- ment and repeats as has been pointed out.

To'secure operation of the mechanism for vswinging the guiding arrangement and for giving the same the gradual. rise, we provide lugs 100, 100 extending inwardly from the frame 98 into alinenicnt with the respective heads 56, 156 of the reciprocating bars 55, 55. These lugs are, or course, placed in proper position relative to the abutment 99,4 and 'when struck by the heads 5G, 56 upon the vapproach of the carriage cause the inward movement of the rods 55, 55. The effect 4of such movement of the rods has already been described.

Pivoted to the inner sides of the frame 98 is the U-shaped clamping frame 101 which has at its tree end a series of teeth 102 in alinement and adapted to rest upon the pile of fabrics as shown in Fig. 1, a spring 103 being provided to increase the clamping action. To raise this 'frame a cam 1011 is disposedunder each of the side arms thereof, being secured upon a rotatable shaft 105 by a set screw 100. This shaft is mounted in the 'frame proper and an'cxtension 107 thereon and extends beyond the frame proper toreceive a cog wheel 108 loosely mounted thereon and a ratchet 109 secured thereto.A A pawl 110 is pivoted upon the cog wheel 108 and is held in engagement with the ratchet by the spring 111. Thus movement of the cog wheel in the direction off the arrow (Fig. 7) would carry the ratchet by way of the pawl to eiect movevment of the cam to raise the clamp, while mov'ement in the opposite direction would not/affect the cam. To operate the cog wheel a co bar 112, mounted in the wa s 113 on' the rame 98 by means of the bots 114, is.

provlded, this bar having cogs for mesh with the Wheel and a blank portionI which the wheel may escape. This cog bar 112 is provided with a toell in alinement with a portion ofthe side member 16 of the 'car-4 riage as indicated in' dot-and-dashlines in Fig. 1. A spring 117 between the bar and Each frame carries.

the frame tends to retain the bar and wheel in normal position and the approach of the carriage to the end structure causes the 011-' gagement of the member 16r with the toe 115 to move the cog bar against thetension.

of the spring 117 to rotate the cog Wheel in the direction of the arrow. As has been explained such rotation would eect the movement of the cam to raise the clampin frame. This movement would continue unt' the blank portion 118 of the bar 112 reaches the cog wheel. The wheel would immediately be released regardless of the further movement of the carriage and the cams would drop back to allow the clamp to drop upon the pile. A stop 119 is provided as the limit of return movement of the Upright guides 120 may be provided to prevent lateral displacement of the clamping frame.v

The opposing end structures may be spaced any distance apart to suit the requirements, bein tracks 15 to reep t-he structures in alinement, and may be secured Y in the predetermined position by clamping bolts 121, 121. y

rIhe operation of the machine may be scmmarized as follows: The bolt of fabric is placed on the frame 65 and the fabric is then passed over the rollers G8 and 69, ander 'the rod 45, over the roller 4G, between the rollers 39 and 4:0 and the end then paced under one of the clamping frames 101. The carriage is then run away from that frame. When it collides with the oppositel :trame the guiding mechanism is swung and at that instant the cam 104 raises the clamping iframe. W'hile the eectual guiding plate A is in its swung position the cogs on the cog baar 112 pass the cog wheel 108 and the cam may drop back as has been explained, and the clamping frame will lower, the teeth thereof passing through the slots 122, provided the guiding plates to grasp the fabric. Thusit is seen that the movement of the cam is very rapidand the lowerin thereoijI is practically instantaneous, this owerin taking place while the cloth is being tuclre under and .while the carriage is practically inert at the end of its stroke. Durinff this operation the .motor has been reversed and the carriage "proceeds in the opposite directio-n to repeatthe eycle'i-of operations.

In Fig. 13 we havesillustrated a modified form of end clampfarran ementpwhich may be employed.` this clamping frame`101is with a roller 123 whic -is' arrayed to ride vup antrack 124 pivotally secure at 124t0 is of such length thatthe ame dropswhen' preferably movable on the ena the swangng rodediat each sidey z the f'abric fold is tucked under,jprecisely as 1n the case hereinbefore explained, and 1n the return of the carriage the roller passes under and incidentally raises the track 124."k

By this arrangement the cog and bar arrange*A ment is unnecessary.- The rise of the clamp ing frame issecured at the proper time and the sudden drop of the clamp is secured at the proper instant.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire covered by Letters Patent, is:

l. Ina fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage, a pair of guiding plates hung upon a common pivot on said carriage, means for guiding the fabric between said plates, a clamp at each end of the travel of said carriage, and means whereby said plates may be swung in one direction at one end of the travel of said carriage to guide the fabric into the corresponding clamp and whereby said plates may be swung in the other direction at the other end of the travel of said carriage to guide the fabric into the other clamp.

2. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, ar'eciprocating carriage, a pair of guiding plates hung upon a common pivot on said carriage, means for yguiding the fabric between said plates, a clamp ateach end of the travel of said carriage, an abutment at each end of thetravel of said carriage, and mechanism carried by said carriage and operative upon collision with said abutment and mechanically connected with said plates to swing the same to guide the fabric into the clamp toward which the carriage is connected with said guiding moving. p

' 3. In a fabric Vlaying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage,a pivoted supporting member'mounted upon said carriage, guiding plates carried by said member, oscillating levers hung upon a common pivot on said carriage, means for maintaining said levers in effectivey relation to said supporting member, an actuating member slidably mounted in said carriage and connected with said oscillating levers, a station ary abutment member with which said actuating membermay collide to operate said guiding plates, a clamp mounted on said abutment member, and means carried upon said abutment member for operating said clamp, said means being actuated by collision therewith of said carriage.

' 4. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage, two clamps between which said carriage reciprocates, a pair of actuatingguiding plates hung on a common pivot on said carriage, a stationary abutment at each end ofthe travel of said carriage, an actuating abutmentmember plates and -arranged to collide with one o said stationary abutments, and mechanism for raising said guiding. plates operated by periodic mechanical connection with said actuating abutment member.

5. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage, two clamps between which said carriage reciprocates, a pair of guiding plates hung upon a common pivot,- screw threaded rods for sup* porting said guiding plates carried in said carriage, a ratchet wheel threaded on each -of said rods and engagingffthe carriage proper to form a supporting member, means for actuating said guiding plates, and mechanism operated by said actuating means for rotating said ratchet wheels to raise said guiding plates.

G. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage frame, two clamps between which said carriage frame operates, two vertical screw rods passing through openings in said frame, a ratchet wheel mounted on each of said rods and engaging said frame to form a supporting member, a pair of guiding yplates pivotally mounted between the lower ends of said screw rods, actuating means for swinging said guiding plates at the end of the travel of said carriage, pawl mechanism associated with said ratchet wheel, and means con-f nected 'with said actuating means for operating said pawl mechanism periodically to raise said guiding plates.

7. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage frame, two clamps between which said carriage frame reciprocates, a supporting member pivot ally mounted in said frame, a pair of`guicl-- ing plates mounted on said supporting meufber, a pair of independently moving oscillating levers mounted on a common pivot and associated with said plates, and means for actuating said levers to swing said plates to guide the fabric into the approached clamp. 4

8. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage frame, two clamps between which said carriage frame reciprocates, a supporting member pivotally mounted in saidframe, means fornraising said supporting member, a pair ofvg'uiding plates mounted on said supporting member, means for guiding the fabric between` said plates, a pair of independently moving oscillating levers mounted on a common pivot and associated with said plates, and means for actuating said levers to swing said plates to guide the fabric into the approached clamp.

9. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage frame, two clamps between/which said carriage frame operates, a supporting member pivotally mounted in said frame, means for raising said supporting member, a pair of guiding plates rigidly mounted side by side on said supporting member, means for guiding the fabric between said plates, a pair of mdependently moving oscillating levers mountedon a common pivot and associated with said plates, spring means for yieldingly holdin said levers in direct association with 'said p ates, and means for actuating said levers, one in one direction and the other in the opposite direction, to swing said plates to guide the fabric into the approached clamp.

10. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage frame, two

' clamps between which said carriage frame operates, a supporting member pivotally mounted on said carriage frame, a paii` of guiding plates rigidly mounted parallel to each other in said supporting member, a

roller disposed between said plates, a second roller, and spring means for maintaining said rollers in close relation to rest-rain fabrio fed therebetween.

11.'. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage frame, two;

clamps between .which said carriage frame operates, a pair of supporting rods hanging symmetrically and laterally opposite in sai frame, a supporting member pivotally hung at the lower endoi' each of Vsaid rods, a pair of guiding plates rigidly mounted parallel to each other between said supporting members, means for swinging said supporting members, and means for raising salcl supporting members together.

seance for placing a tension thereon, and directing means on said carriage engaging the edges of the fabric at several places for preventing lateral displacement thereof.

13. In a fabric laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage forca ingthe bolt from whiclrthe fabric is to e fe an abutment structure with which said carriage is arranged to collide, a motor for propelling said carriage, a pole changing switch for controlling said motor, and means operable by the impact for actuating said switch to reverse the action of the motor.

14. In a cloth laying machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage, a motor for propelling said carriage, a pole changing switch for controlling the direction of said motor, a sliding frame Vmounted on said carriage and connected with said switch, spring plunger mechanism associated with sai frame at each end thereof, and a stationlary abutment member at each end of the travel of said carriage with which the respective plunger is arranged to collide whereby said frame is moved, to reverse said switch.

15. The combination with a support, of a fabric supplyin means7 a carriage adapted to move along'tie support provided with fabric guiding means, means mounted on the carriage for positively driving the carriage in either direction, said means including a motor, and connections between the motor and the supporting wheels of the carriage to drive the latter, together with means for reversing the direction of movement of said carriage.

ln winess whereof, we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER S, Bann.

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