US2244691A - Apparatus for and method of sewing plaits - Google Patents

Description

June 10, 1941. A. H. HABERSTUMP 2.244.691

APPARATUS FOR AND IETHOD 0F SEWING PLAIIT'S Filed July 23, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 1D, 1941. A. H. HABERSTUMP l 2,244,591

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF SEWING PLAITS Filed July 25, 1937 5 .sheets-sheet 2 M2@ Miam A Trax/v5 ys'.

- June 10, 1941. A. H. HABERSTUMP APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF SEWING PLAITS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /N VENTOR Hderfamp Filed July 23, 1937 HZff'cJ/ BY f A TTORNEY?.

June 10, 1941- A. H.,.HABERsTuMP 2,244,591

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF SEWING PLAITS Filed July 25, 1937 v s sheets-sheet 4 A TTOR NE ra.

June 10, 1941. A. H. HABERSTUMP 2,244,691

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF SEWING PLAITS Filed July 23, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TTORNE Ys.

Patented June 10, 1941 -umTED4 STATES PATENT OFFICE A'PIARATUS FOR AllrnllsTIHOD OF SEWING Alfred H; Haberstump, Detroit, Mich., assignorto The Murray Corporation of America, Detroit, Mich.,a corporation of Delaware Application July 23, 1937, Serial No. 155,281

My invention relates to automatic means for stitching upholstery material, and particularly to a methodgand system for combining a. backing element, `apad, and trim material by multiple stitching'of plaits therein,

Multi-plaiting -machines have been employed heretofore for sewing plaits in upholstery pads combining a backing element, paddingmaterial and a top trim material. been devised to obtain plait fullness in the cover material before stitchingL this being accomplished before thel materiall is ldisposed upon 4the pad.

After the -plait fullness was obtained in the material, it was either disposed on the pad for sewing or, on the backing element before or after thetime a bat was being inserted in each of the plaits formed in this manner. The two materials were sometimes sewed together along the plait lines andthe paddingmaterial was pushed, blown, or otherwise forced into the pockets formed thereby.

In practicing my present invention, I materially simplify the method of sewing pads by employing a plurality of sewing heads disposed in lateral alignment and direct the `backing element, pad, and cover material through the machine to sew the materials in the same manner as any other three` materials would be sewed together.

I, however, employ a unique system for forming and assembling the materials and uniting them for sewing. A backing cloth is fed upon the'conveyorof a garnetting" machine, which distributes layers of linters on the backing cloth which, upon reaching proper thickness is carried progressively through rolls to be compressed. The material is then advanced on a, belt which is periodically operated to move the end of the material into a press. The press is provided with a die which stamps the pad and backing material to a predetermined size and form. The formed material is then advanced to a position to receive the top trimmaterial which has been cut to the desired formand which is provided with pleat fullness' through the operation of pivotal arms which' simultaneously move into contact with the cloth to gather vmaterialaiong the lines to be sewed. Thereafter the material is moved onto a continuously operating conveyor chain which advances `the assembly through the machine where it is` sewed along thelines on which the `gathering occurred. f A. y o

Accordingly. the main objects of my invention are to provide a machine ior compressing a backing sheet, a pad and trim material along lines which forms pleats during the time stitching oc- Methods have also4 1,6 claims. (ci. Y11a-ez) curs along said lines; to Y continuously feed abacking sheet and a pad to a press whieh-simul,

taneously 'stamps out the sheet and material to f predetermined size and `form and delivers lsaid material from the machine to advance a baci-ringA sheet and pad which are stamped to a predetermined form to a position to receive a sheet' of trim material and thereafter advancing the assembled elements to a position above a conveyor chain; to lower the assembled elements upon the conveyor chains after it is advanced to a position thereabove; to garnett layers of linters upon a backing sheet as it is progressively advancedl to form a pad thereon, which pad and backing element is 'advanced toa press which stamps out sections of predetermined size and shape; to'advance sections of padding and .sheetv material of predetermined size and shape and to place sheets of cover material thereon and to, provide ,pleat fullness toV the cover material after-A it is located on the sections, and', in general, to provide a pad and a method for its construction which is simple, positive andeconomical of manufacture.

Other objects and features of novelty of my invention will be specifically pointed out or will becomeapparent when referring, `for a better understanding of my invention, to the following description taken in conjunction with th'e accompanying drawings, wherein: i

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of aseries of machines andoperating devices which the method of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the pads which are constructed on the device illustrated in Fig. 1,-when mounted on a seat and back frame;

Fig. 3 discloses the'various operations on the material to produce the pads illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a broken, enlarged view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1.;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. '4, taken on the lines 5-5 thereof;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, taken on the line 6--6 thereof, with the gathering device in lowered position;

Fig; 7 is a view of the structure illustrated in Fig'. 6with the gathering device in raised position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6, taken on the line 8-8 thereof; I

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a fabric engaging and advancing foot employed on vthe machine;

practice Fig. 11 is a view of the end of one of the gathering devices illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a broken side view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of the wiring connections employed in the device illustrated in Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view in perspective of a pressure foot employed on the sewing machine illustrated in Fig. 2,

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated a series of elements embodying a machine I for distributing linters or other bers to a continuous sheet of material I6 to form a pad thereon, which sheet and' pad passes through compression rolls I1 and onto a belt I9, which may sag between its supports. By using the sagging belt, intermittent feed may be had from the belt to a stamping machine 2l. During the time the material is stopped after being advanced into the machine 2l, a die in the machine stamps out the pad and sheet simultaneously to predetermined size and shape. A conveyor 22, operated by the mechanism of the press 2l periodically advances the stamped out units to position under a gathering device 23 for the top cover material. 'I'he sheets of material rest on a table 24 from which they are taken one at a time and placed on channel-like elements 54 and the pad. 'Ihe arms of the forming device 23 cooperate with the channel elements to gather the material along the lines to be sewn. After the material has been gathered in this manner, the pad and trim materials are advanced by the conveyor 22 to a position above continuously actuated conveyor chains 25 having projecting pins which pierce the backing sheet and pad when the conveyor 22 is lowered to dispose the assembled unit upon the conveyor chains 25. The conveyor chains 25 continuously advance the assembled units which are further engaged by feet 26 of a sewing machine 21. The stitching of the pads by the machine occurs along the lines on which the gathering of the trim material occurred.

The garnetting of fibers upon a continuously moving sheet of backing material is illustrated and described in copending application of Clarf ence W. Avery, Serial No. 58,859, filed January 13, 1936. and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The intermittent feeding device I 9 is illustrated in combination with the press 2| in my co-pending application Serial No. 132,193, filed March 22, 1937, and will not, therefore, be described herein in detail.

A shaft 3|, is carried by the press 2l and is driven in synchronism with the gear elements which drive the belt I9, providing intermittent operation to the conveyor 22 embodying a plurality of belts. The opposite end oi' lthe belts Y pass over crown pulleys 32 a'nd idler crown pulleys 33. disposed interjacent of the belt ends. The pulleys 32 and 33 are mounted on shafts34 and 35 respectively, which are carried on arms 36 of bell crank levers 31. The bell crank levers are connected by links 38, to a piston 39, of the hydraulic cylinder 4I. 'Through the operation of the piston within the cylinder, the bell cranks 31 are actuated about the pivots 42, to raise and lowerthe shafts 34 and 35, and, therefore, the pulleys 32 and 33 carried thereby. When the belts are raised, the assembled material is lifted a suiiicient height above the pins 43 on the conveyor chains 25 to prevent engagement therebetween. When the belts are lowered, the material is disposed upon the pins 43 and the conveyor chain 25 driven at a constant speed by the sewingvmachine 21 moves the material from the belt and advances it through the sewing machine.

Referring to Fig.r3, I have illustrated the backing sheet I5 as having a continuous pad 44 formed thereon as the sheet continuously advances. Periodically the material is advanced into the press 2| where a die, supported by the head 45 of the press, stamps the backing sheet l5 and pad 44 into predetermined shape, that is shown at 45 in the figure. After the head 45 is raised the stamped unit 46 is advanced onto the conveyor 22 and is advanced to the gathering device 23. During the time the conveyor is at rest, that at least to permit a suiiicient length of Ithe backing sheet and pad to advance onto the conveyor I9, a sheet of covering material 41 is disposed upon the unit 45 and channel elements 54. The sheets rest upon the table 24 from which they are moved one at a time, by an operator standing at each side of the machine, to within the jaws of the gathering device. Cover positioning elements 48 are disposed at'each side of the machine in which the corners of the material may be gauged by the operator to accurately locate the material. Adjacent each of the engaging elements, switches 49 are mounted in a position to be actuated by the fingers of the operator while holding the edges of the corners of the cloth in position. The four switches are connected in series as illustrated in Fig. 13 and must all be closed to operate the gathering device. This provides assurance that the hands of the operator are out of contact with the device when actuated.

Two longitudinally adjustable elements are disposed at the sides of the device in which a pair of shafts 5I and 52 disposed laterally of the device are journaled for pivotal movements. The shaft 52 supports the lower jaws or channel ele--y ments 54 while the shaft 53 supports the upper jaws 55 which are of T-shape, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The shaft 52 is provided with an arm 56 on one or both of its ends to which a spring 51 is connected to balance the weight of the lower jaws or elements 54. The channel elements 54 indent the padding material as it is advanced thereunder to cover receiving and gathering position. The cover material 41 is stretched across the unit 48 and the switches 49 actuated to operate a fluid valve which directs a flow of fluid to the cylinder 5B to actuate a piston rod 59 and link 5I secured to the end of the shaft 53. The fluid is delivered in the righthand end of `the cylinder as illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7 to draw the piston rod therewithin to move the link 5I in a clockwise direction to rotate the upper jaws 55 downwardly onto the cover material. The material is drawn within the channel elements 54 disposed therebelow to provide fullness thereto. It is to be understood that the formation of the padding material and the gathering of the cover material occurs along lines aligned with the sewing heads` of the multi-stitching machines. That is to say, the pad and cover material is preformed and provided with pleat fullness, respectively, along lines at which the stitching occurs. Upon the release of the switches 49, fluid is directed into the opposite end of the cylinder 58 for moving the piston rod 59 outwardly to thereby rotate the shaft 53 along with the upper jaws 55 in a counter-clockwise direction to a position illustrated in Fig. 7. Thereafter, the conveyor 22 is raised and the assembled and formed unit is carried to position over the continuously moving conveyor chains 25. At the end of advancement of the conveyor 22, the cylinder 4| is energized to actuate the bell cranks 31 to lower the pulleys 32 and 33 and, therefore, the conveyor 22 to deposit the assembled unit upon the conveyor chains 25,'1 'I'he pins 43 of the chains proa. ject through tlabacking material into the padding material and advance the assembled unit vtoward the sewing machine 21. Each time the shaft 3| is rot` d to advance the conveyor 22, the cylinder 4| s energized-to operate the bell cranks to raise the pulleys 32 and 33 to thereby raise the conveypr before it advances. In this `manner the bqking sheet and pad is continutached to each of the heads 3l are illustrated en iarged in Fig. 14. The feet comprise a casting i2 having an upwardly projecting portion 99 by which the castings are secured to the sewing heads by suitaue means not here illustrated in detail. A pair of sprockets 94 are journaled on a shaft (not shown) of the sewing machine 21, which shaft is journaled in the casting 92. Sprocket wheels I5 are mounted at the front end of the casting on shafts journaled in a bearing 83 which is adjustable by a screw 91. I'he front end 69 of the als-ting is sloped upwardly to receive the assembled material which is thereafter engaged by chains 59 which are disposed on each side of the casting over the sprockets 34 and 95 at opppsite ends thereof.

The outer surface of the links and plates of the chains are serrated at 1I to prevent slippage from occurring between the chains and the engaged material. The chains are guided in downwardly projecting slots in the side plates 12, the slack, return portion of the chains pass under the blocks 13 and 14 containing grooves which receive the chains. An opening 15 isfprovided in the casting through which a needle 19 operatesV to stitch the material compressed and moved by the foot 26. The chains 25, as pointed out hereinabove, are driven from the sewing machine,

1 which driving occurs in timed relation with the operation of the,chains I9. 'Ihe chains 25 have the sprockets 33` thereof driven by a common shaft 40, while the chain 59 has the sprocket 94 thereof driven 4by a common shaft 19. T'he shafts 40 and 1l, are interconnected by a pair of gears |00, which are similar, to have the shafts driven at a constant speed. This produces the constant driving :relation between chains 25 and 59. The operation of both sets of chains in this manner makescertain that the material moves through the sewing machine without the elements thereof dipping relative to each other.

Outwardly of the sewing heads 6i and feet 26, a pair of'engaging and advancing feet 11, similar to the'feetZB, are mounted directly over the outer conveyor chains 25. 'Ihe feet are iliustrated enlarged in Figs. 9 and 10 and embody a casting 19 which is secured to a cross-bar 9I of the machine21 by a stud 92 by which the feet are adjusted in height relative to the material. The shaftl of the sewing machine which drives the sprocket B4 of the foot 29 is also journaled in the casting 19 and also drives a sprocket 93 which is mounted on the foot 11. A sprocket chain 94 is Vmounted over the sprocket wheel 93 and is guided in a channel 95 in the bottom of the casting 19 which likewise slopes upwardly at its front endl. An adjustable sprocket 36 is mounted onthe front end of the shoe and i tensions the under portion of the chain, the slack or return portion of the chain being encompassed by suitable guide plates 91 and 98. The chain 94 is provided with a plurality of outwardly projecting, pins I9 which positively engage the cover material and pad above the pins in the chains 25 which engage the backing sheet and underportion of the pad. The feet 11 aid the youter chains 25 to advance the side edges of the assembled material as the stitching occurs inter jacent thereof.

Through the use of the feet 29 and 11 in combination with the conveyor chains 25 assurance is had thatv the units advance uniformly through the sewing heads 6| without any shifting of the elements which make up the units. Since the operation is continuous, the pads passing through the machine will be connected together byr threads which are united as the machine continues to operate until the next adjacent unit passes thereinto. As the units pass from the machine the threads joining the pads are cut and the operation is completed.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, I have illustrated the outer end of the gathering device 23 wherein the end of thev gathering jaw 55 has a. guide 9| associated therewith which is adjustable vertically relative thereto by a stud 92. A V-shaped body portion 93 is, provided on the adjusting device 9I which is dimensioned to be recessed within the channel element 54 to thereby locate the lower edge of the blade 25 with the bottom of the channel element. In this manner, the amount of material drawn into the channel element is regulated to thereby regulate the size of the plait to be formed.

In Fig. 13, I have illustrated a wiring diagram wherein the plurality of switches 49 are illustrated in series relation with a circuit 94 connected to a solenoid 95. The solenoid operates a fluid vvalve 99 which controls the flow of fluid to and from the cylinder 59 which operates the gathering device. Since the two hands of each of the operators must be employed for operating the switches, the arrangement provides a safety factor preventing the hands of the operator from being disposed between the gatheringdevic when the device is moving downwardly.

It will thus be seen that my method of constructing pads is continuous, embodying the feeding of a continuous sheet of backing material uniformly across the conveyor of a "garnetting machine where a pad of unwoven fiber material is disposed. After the pad is compressed through rollers, it is intermittently fed while stamped into units of predetermined size and form which are further advanced intermittently to the gathering device where a sheet of covering material is placed thereon and gathered along the lines to be sewn. The material is further intermittently advanced to a position over continuously operating conveyor chains where it is disposed to -be uniformly advanced through the sewing machine. The various feed mechanisms are interconnected to provide synchronized movements, and, except for the use of the operators for placing the cover material upon the uni-ts, the operation is entirelyautomatic. The pads made in this manner are accurate of form, positively sewn and economicalof manufacture.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described. without departing from the spirit and substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

l claim as my invention:

1. A method of constructing a pad embodying the steps, of continuously feeding a backing sheet and padding material, of die stamping 'units therefrom, of applying a cover material to each' of the units, of forming fullness in said cover material,.and sewing the unit and material along predetermined lines.

2i. A method of constructing a pad embodying `the steps, of continuously feeding a backing sheet and padding material, of cutting units therefrom, of applying a cover material to each of the units, and sewing the assembled material along predetermined lines.

3. A method of constructing a pad embodying the steps, of continuously feeding` a backing sheet and padding material, of intermittently feeding said sheet and material, of severing portions therefrom, of intermittently advancing said severed portions, of disposing covering material on said severed portions, and continuously feeding said assembled materials through a machine to secure the materials together at predetermined points.

. djA method of constructing a pad embodying V ing sheet, of applying a covermaterial to said unit, of forming fullness in said material along predetermined lines, and sewing said material and unit together along said lines.A

` 6. A method of constructing a pad embodying the steps of severing a unit from a pad and backing sheet, of applying a cover material to said unit, of depressing said pad along predetermined lines, of gathering said material to provide fullness along said lines, and stitching said material andv unit'together along said lines.

7. A method of constructing a pad embodying 'the steps of continuously feeding a backing sheet and padding material, of stamping units of predetermined form therefrom, of depressing said padding material of said units along predetermined lines, of applying a cover material to each of the units, of forming fullness in said cover `material, and sewing the units and material along said lines.

8. A pad forming device including, in combina- I tion, means for continuously feeding a backing sheet, means for continuously forming a pad thereon as the sheet is advanced, a die intermittently receiving said sheet and pad for stamping units therefrom, means for gathering fullness in a cover material disposed on said units and means for stitching said-units and material together.

9. A pad forming device including, in combination, means for continuously feeding a backing sheet, means for continuously forming a pad thereon as the sheet is advanced, means for intermittently advancing said sheet' and pad, a die for blanking out a unit after each advancement, meansfor intermittently advancing said unit to depress the pad along predetermined lines, a cover material, means for gathering fullness in said cover material after it isfdisposed on said unit, and means 'for stitching said material and unit together. f

10. A pad forming device including, in combination',` means for advancing a backing sheet having a pad thereon,means for stamping out units from said pad and backing sheet, means for gathering fullness in a cover material and means for stitching said material and unit together.

11. A pad forming device including, in combination, means for 'advancing a backing sheet having a pad thereon, means for stamping out units from said pad andv backing sheet, means for'gathering fullness in a cover material after it is disposed on said unit, conveyor chains for advancing said assembled elements, a sewing machine, and pressure' means for compacting said elements and feeding the elements through said machine. l"

, 12. A pad forming device including, in combination, a sewing machine having a plurality Vof spaced heads, a bed, conveyor chains on said bed, one disposed between each of said heads, and pressure feet having conveyor chains thereon disposed above said bed, each supported individually on one of said heads.

v13. A pad forming device including, in combination, a'sewing machine having a plurality of spaced heads, a bed, conveyor chains on said bed disposed between said heads onA each 'side ofthe outermost heads, a pressure foot supported Vindividually on each of said heads above said' bed between said chains, said pressure feet'having conveyor chains thereon.

14. A pad forming device including, in combination, a sewing machine having a plurality of spaced heads, a bed, conveyor chains on said bed disposed lbetween said heads on each side of the outermost heads, a pressure foot supported individually on each of said heads above said bed between said chains, said pressure feet having conveyor chains thereon, and means for driving all of said chains in timed relation.

' l5. A pad forming device including, in combination, a conveyor for intermittently advancing a plurality of superposed elements forming a unit to be stitched, a continuously moving conveyor overlapping said first conveyor, means for relatively raising and lowering said conveyors to permit the intermittent advancementof said unit out of engagement with said second conveyor and for thereafter disposing said unit upon said second conveyor, a sewing machine, and means for continuously advancing said second conveyor through said sewing machine.

16. A pad forming device including, incombination, a conveyor for intermittently advancing a plurality'of superposed elements forming a unit to be stitched, a continuously' moving conveyor overlapping said rst conveyor, means for relatively raising and lowering said conveyors to permit the' intermittent 'advancement of said unit y out of engagement with said second conveyor and for thereafter disposing said unit upon said sec- V0nd conveyor, ya sewing machine, heads on said machine disposed between the elements ofsaid second conveyor and pressure feet on-said heads cooperating with said elementsfor moving said unit through said machine. L

- ALFRED H. HABERSTUMI.

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