U.S. patent number 3,765,672 [Application Number 05/209,821] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-16 for automatic feeder for workpiece of fabric or the like.
Invention is credited to William R. Conner, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,765,672 |
Conner, Jr. |
October 16, 1973 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
AUTOMATIC FEEDER FOR WORKPIECE OF FABRIC OR THE LIKE
Abstract
Apparatus for automatically feeding workpieces of fabric or
similar limp material one after another from a stack of workpieces
and delivering each workpiece to a sewing machine for a sewing
operation along an edge of the workpiece. The top workpiece of the
stack is picked off by means of a roller which rolls up the top
workpiece of the stack, advances it to a position spaced from the
stack, and then retracts to unroll the workpiece, whereupon a feed
device takes over to feed the workpiece into a sewing machine to
start the sewing operation. The sewing machine then takes over, and
the workpiece is fed through the sewing machine by the feed device
of the sewing machine and stitched. In being fed through the sewing
machine, the workpiece is automatically guided for contour
stitching along an edge thereof. A stacker is provided on the exit
side of the sewing machine for automatically stacking completed
workpieces exiting from the sewing machine.
Inventors: |
Conner, Jr.; William R. (St.
Louis, MO) |
Family
ID: |
26709623 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/209,821 |
Filed: |
December 20, 1971 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
33378 |
Apr 30, 1970 |
3670674 |
Jun 20, 1972 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/10.09;
271/33; 271/260 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05B
33/02 (20130101); D05B 41/00 (20130101); D05D
2207/04 (20130101); D05B 65/00 (20130101); D05D
2209/04 (20130101); D05B 33/006 (20130101); D05D
2209/06 (20130101); D05D 2209/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
D05B
33/00 (20060101); D05B 33/02 (20060101); D05B
65/00 (20060101); D05B 41/00 (20060101); B65h
003/20 (); B65h 005/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;271/33,3-5,27,28,18,14,11,39,10,54,55,58,59,84 ;112/211,214,121.29
;221/217 ;214/85H |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Blunk; Evon C.
Assistant Examiner: Stoner, Jr.; Bruce H.
Parent Case Text
This is a division of application Ser. No. 33,378, filed Apr. 30,
1970, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,674, June 20, 1972.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In apparatus having a machine for operating on workpieces of
limp material, means for automatically feeding such workpieces one
after another from a stack thereof to and through said machine,
comprising a table over which workpieces may be fed to and through
said machine, means adjacent one end of the table for holding a
stack of workpieces, means for separating and picking up the top
workpiece of the stack and delivering it to said table, means for
feeding the workpiece over the table to said machine and entering
it in said machine with the work-piece in position for being fed
through the machine for operation thereon by the machine comprising
a gripper engageable with the top of a workpiece on the table,
means for moving the gripper downwardly from a raised retracted
position into engagement with the top of a workpiece delivered to
the table and then moving it forwardly and laterally over the table
from a rearward retracted position to slide the workpiece forwardly
and laterally over the table, said means for separating and picking
up the top workpiece of the stack and delivering it to the table
comprising means for rolling up the top workpiece of the stack,
delivering the rolled-up workpiece to the table, and then unrolling
the workpiece, said rolling and unrolling means comprising a roller
mounted for rotation on its axis and for translation in the
horizontal plane of its axis to roll over the top workpiece of the
stack toward and away from the table, said roller having means for
initial attachment thereto of the top workpiece so that it is
rolled up on the roller as the roller rolls over the top workpiece
toward the table, said means for holding the stack being movable
upward for engagement of the top workpiece with the roller, the
roller being movable between a retracted position over the trailing
end portion of the stack and an advanced position over the table,
and a workpiece being rolled up on the roller as it moves forward
to its advanced position and being unrolled from the roller as it
returns to its said retracted position.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the roller rotates
through approximately one revolution in moving from the forward end
of the stack to its advanced position over the table.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripper is
operable to clamp the forward end of the workpiece down against the
table as the roller is retracted.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for
attachment to the roller of the top workpiece comprises
pressure-sensitive tape.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said roller carries
means for holding a supply roll of the tape, a take-up roller for
the tape, means guiding the tape from the supply roll internally of
said roller to the take-up roller and presenting an exposed portion
of the tape for adherence of the top workpiece, and means for
intermittently rotating the take-up roller to take up a portion of
the tape.
6. Apparatus for peeling off the top workpiece of a stack of
workpieces of relatively limp material, such as cloth, and
conveying it to a position spaced from the stack, comprising means
for supporting a stack of said workpieces, a roller for rolling up
the top workpiece of the stack, means mounting said roller for
rotation on its axis and for translatory movement in a direction at
right angles to its axis to roll over the top of the stack, said
roller having means for initial attachment thereto of the top
workpiece of the stack so that it is rolled up on the roller as the
roller rolls in a forward direction over the top workpiece, said
roller being movable in forward direction beyond the forward end of
the stack to an advanced delivery position, and then being movable
back in reverse direction to unroll the workpiece.
7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the roller has a
retracted position over the rearward end of the stack.
8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said stack supporting
means comprises an elevator platform and having means for biasing
said platform upward for engagement of the top of the stack with
the roller.
9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the platform carries a
longitudinal ridge for humping the stack.
10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 having air jets directed
toward the roller for peeling the second workpiece of the stack
away from the first workpiece if the former should tend to cling to
the latter.
11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for
attachment to the roller of the top workpiece comprises
pressure-sensitive tape.
12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 having means for holding the
unwound forward end of the workpiece against rearward movement as
the roller moves back in reverse direction.
13. In apparatus having a machine for operating on workpieces of
limp material, apparatus for automatically feeding such workpieces
one after another from a stack thereof to and through said machine,
comprising a table over which workpieces may be fed to and through
said machine, means adjacent one end of the table for holding a
stack of workpieces, means for separating and picking up the top
workpiece of the stack and delivering it to said table, and means
for feeding the workpiece over the table to said machine and
entering it in said machine with the workpiece in position for
being fed through the machine for operation thereon by the machine,
said means for separating and picking up the top workpiece of the
stack and delivering it to the table comprising means for rolling
up the top workpiece of the stack, delivering the rolled-up
workpiece to the table, and then unrolling the workpiece, said
rolling and unrolling means comprising a roller mounted for
rotation on its axis and for translation in the horizontal plane of
its axis to roll over the top workpiece of the stack toward and
away from the table, said roller having means for initial
attachment thereto of the top workpiece so that it is rolled up on
the roller as the roller rolls over the top workpiece toward the
table, said means for holding the stack being movable upward for
engagement of the top workpiece with the roller, the roller being
movable between a retracted position over the trailing end portion
of the stack and an advanced position over the table, a workpiece
being rolled up on the roller as it moves forward to its advanced
position and being unrolled from the roller as it returns to its
said retracted position.
14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein the roller rotates
through aproximately one revolution in moving from the forward end
of the stack to its advanced position over the table.
15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 having means for clamping
the forward end of the workpiece down against the table as the
roller is retracted.
16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said clamping means
is part of the means for feeding the workpiece over the table to
said machine.
17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for
attachment to the roller of the top workpiece comprises
pressure-sensitive tape.
18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said roller carries
means for holding a supply roll of the tape, a take-up roller for
the tape, means guiding the tape from the supply roll internally of
said roller to the take-up roller and presenting an exposed portion
of the tape for adherence of the top workpiece, and means for
intermittently rotating the take-up roller to take up a portion of
the tape.
19. In apparatus comprising a machine for operating on workpieces
of limp material, said machine having means for feeding workpieces
therethrough, means for automatically feeding such workpieces one
after another from a stack thereof to said machine, comprising a
table, means adjacent one end of the table for holding a stack of
workpieces, means for separating and picking up the top workpiece
of the stack and delivering it to the table, pneumatically operated
means for feeding said workpiece forwardly and laterally over the
table to a position for entry into the machine, and then feeding it
forward for entry into the machine and subsequent feeding of the
workpiece through the machine by the feeding means of the machine,
said pneumatically operated means including an air jet sensor for
sensing the arrival of the workpiece, when moved laterally, at the
appropriate lateral position thereof for entry into the
machine.
20. In apparatus comprising a machine for operating on workpieces
of limp material, said machine having means for feeding workpieces
therethrough, means for automatically feeding such workpieces one
after another from a stack thereof to said machine, comprising a
table, means adjacent one end of the table for holding a stack of
workpieces, means for separating and picking up the top workpiece
of the stack and delivering it to the table, pneumatically operated
means for feeding the workpiece forward over the table to a first
position wherein it is located longitudinally for entry into the
machine but offset laterally from a second position for entry into
the machine, then feeding the workpiece laterally to its said
second position, and then feeding the workpiece forward from its
said second position for entry into the machine and subsequent
feeding of the workpiece through the machine by the feeding means
of the machine, said pneumatically operated means including an air
jet sensor for sensing the arrival of the workpiece at its said
second position, the leading end of said workpiece, when it is fed
to its said first position, being forward of said sensor.
21. In apparatus having a machine for operating on workpieces of
limp material, a table over which workpieces may be fed to and
through said machine, and means for feeding workpieces over the
table to the machine entering it in said machine with the workpiece
in position for being fed through the machine for operation thereon
by the machine, said feeding means comprising gripping means
engageable with the top of a workpiece on the table, means for
lowering the gripping means from a raised retracted position into
engagement with the top of a workpiece on the table, means for
moving the gripping means when lowered and engaging a workpiece to
move the workpiece over the table to enter it in the machine, and
means controlled by the workpiece for sensing its position on the
table and controlling said moving means to effect alignment of the
workpiece relative to said machine.
22. In apparatus as set forth in claim 21, second means controlled
by the workpiece for sensing and terminating its entry into the
machine.
23. In apparatus as set forth in claim 22, means controlled by one
of said sensing means for starting said machine.
24. In apparatus as set forth in claim 23, said starting means
being controlled by the first sensing means.
25. In apparatus as set forth in claim 24, means controlled by said
second sensing means for stopping said machine when the workpiece
has been fed through the machine.
26. In apparatus as set forth in claim 26, said means for moving
the gripping means being operable to move it laterally to position
it for entry in the machine, and then forwardly to enter it in the
machine, said sensing means being responsive to the lateral feed of
the workpiece to a position of alignment relative to the
machine.
27. In apparatus as set forth in claim 21, said means for moving
the gripping means being pneumatically operated, and said sensing
means comprising an air jet sensor.
28. In apparatus as set forth in claim 21, means adjacent one end
of the table for holding a stack of workpieces, and means for
separating and picking up the top workpiece of the stack and
delivering it to said table for delivery to said machine by said
gripping means.
29. In apparatus as set forth in claim 28, said means for moving
the gripping means being operable to move it forward to a first
position wherein it is located longitudinally for entry into the
machine but offset laterally from a second position for entry into
the machine, then feeding the workpiece laterally to its said
second position, and then feeding the workpiece forward from its
said second position for entry into the machine and subsequent
feeding of the workpiece through the machine, said sensing means
being responsive to the lateral feed of the workpiece to a position
of alignment relative to the machine.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to automatic feeders for workpieces of
fabric or the like, and more particularly to apparatus for
automatically feeding such workpieces one after another from a
stack thereof to and through a sewing machine for a sewing
operation along an edge of each workpiece.
This invention is particularly directed toward automating the
sewing of workpieces of fabric or the like. Automation of sewing
operations has involved problems in the separation and pick-up of a
single fabric workpiece, referred to as a ply, from a stack of
fabric plies, in the introduction of the ply into the sewing
machine, in the control of the ply as it is fed through the sewing
machine for contour stitching along an edge being sewn, and in the
handling of the plies exiting from the sewing machine. Reference
may be made to such U.S. Patents as Nos. 2,985,122, 3,083,961,
3,099,970, 3,168,307 and 3,168,308 for prior art of interest.
Reference is also made to my prior copending U.S. Pat. application
Ser. No. 738,036, filed June 18, 1968, relating to an Edge Contour
Guidance Control for Pieces of Material, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
3,636,898, Jan. 25, 1972, which shows a control for contour
stitching along an edge of the material being sewn utilized in
conjunction with the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the
provision of an automatic feeder for feeding workpieces of fabric
or other limp material one after another from a stack thereof to
and through a machine for carrying out an operation on each
workpiece; the provision of such apparatus having improved means
for separating and picking up the top ply of the stack (the top
workpiece); the provision of such apparatus having means operable
on the workpiece picked up from the stack to feed it forward to the
machine in position for starting the operation of the machine on
the workpiece; and the provision of apparatus such as described
wherein the machine is a sewing machine for carrying out the
operation of stitching along an edge of the workpiece and having
means for guiding the workpiece through the machine for contour
stitching along said edge.
In general, apparatus of this invention for automatically feeding
workpieces of limp material one after another from a stack thereof
to and through a machine, e.g., a sewing machine, for operating on
the workpieces comprises a table over which workpieces may be fed
to and through the machine. Means is provided adjacent the entrance
end of the table for holding a stack of workpieces, and means is
provided for separating and picking up the top workpiece of the
stack and delivering it to the table. Further means is provided for
feeding the workpiece over the table to the machine and entering it
in the machine with the workpiece in position for being fed through
the machine for operation thereon by the machine. The means for
separating and picking up the top workpiece of the stack comprises
a roller for rolling up the top workpiece, this roller being
mounted for rotation on its axis and also for translation at right
angles to its axis to roll over the top workpiece, and having means
for initial attachment thereto of the top workpiece so that it may
be rolled up on the roller. Other objects and features will be in
part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan of an automatic feeder constructed in accordance
with this invention;
FIG. 1A is an enlarged fragment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the feeder;
FIG. 2A is an enlarged fragment of FIG. 2;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of part of the feeder, on a larger scale
than FIGS. 1 and 2, with parts broken away to reduce the length of
the view, and showing a moved position of parts;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of another part of the feeder, on a
larger scale than FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a view in elevation of the left end of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section on line 6 -- 6 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical section on line 7 -- 7 of FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical section on line 8 -- 8 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 9 is a vertical section on line 9 -- 9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view in elevation on line 10 -- 10 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged section on line 11 -- 11 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a view on line 12 -- 12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a section on line 13 -- 13 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is a plan of FIG. 10;
FIG. 15 is a front elevation of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view showing certain pneumatic
circuitry;
FIGS. 17 - 20 are views in elevation showing certain steps in the
operation of the apparatus;
FIGS. 21 - 23 are plan views showing certain steps in the operation
of the apparatus; and
FIG. 24 is a pneumatic circuit diagram.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, first more particularly to FIGS. 1 and
2, apparatus made in accordance with this invention is shown to
comprise a sewing machine table 1 over which a workpiece of fabric
material P, which is sometimes referred to as a "ply", is to be fed
to a sewing machine 3 and thence through the machine for contour
stitching (e.g., overstitching or "serging") of the workpiece or
ply P along one edge thereof, herein indicated as the long curved
edge E of the piece of material. At 5 is generally indicated means
for guiding a workpiece or ply P through the sewing machine in
accordance with its edge contour to effect contour stitching of the
edge, i.e., stitching along a line generally parallel to the edge.
Adjacent one end of the sewing machine table 1, which may be
referred to as its entry end (its right end as viewed in FIGS. 1
and 2), is means generally designated 7 for holding a pile or stack
S of workpieces or plies P of fabric each of which is to be
individually contour-stitched along its edge E, this means being
adapted to maintain the top ply of the stack (this top ply being
specially designated P1) generally in a predetermined plane as
plies are separated from and picked up off the top of the stack,
one-by-one. This plane is generally the plane of the top of the
sewing machine table 1. At 9 is generally indicated means for
separating and picking up the top ply P1 off the stack S and
delivering it to the sewing machine table, and at 11 is generally
indicated means for feeding the ply of material which has been
delivered to the table 1 by means 9 over the table and entering its
leading end at edge E into the sewing machine in position for
contour stitching of said edge. Once entered into the sewing
machine, the piece of material is fed forward through the machine
by the conventional feed mechanism of the machine under the
guidance control of means 5 for contour stitching of edge E.
The sewing machine table 1 comprises a base 13, legs such as
indicated at 15 extending up from the base at one end thereof
constituting what may be referred to as its entrance end, and legs
such as indicated at 17 extending up from the base adjacent its
other end, which may be referred to as its exit end. Side rails
such as indicated at 19 and end rails such as indicated at 21
extend between the upper ends of the legs. Extending up from the
side rails 19 are additional short legs 23 spanned by transversely
extending angle irons such as indicated at 25 supporting the table
top, which is generally designated 27. The table top is of hollow
construction, comprising a generally rectangular bottom plate 29,
an open generally rectangular frame 31 extending around the margin
of the bottom plate on the top thereof, and a generally rectangular
top plate 33 on the frame spaced from the bottom plate so as to
provide a plenum chamber 35 (see FIG. 10) between the plates. A
blower 37 is mounted below the table top, having its outlet 39
secured to the bottom plate 29 around an opening 41 in the bottom
plate, so that it is adapted to blow air into the plenum 35. The
top plate 33 has a plurality of perforations, such as indicated at
43, for exit of air from the plenum. In the operation of the
apparatus, the blower 37 is continuously operated for blowing air
upward through the perforations 43 to cause a workpiece or ply P
being fed over the table top 27 in effect to "float" on the table
top for easy low-friction movement over the table top.
The table top 27 has a generally rectangular cutout 45 in one side
thereof which may be referred to as its rearward side. The sewing
machine 3 is mounted as indicated at 47 on a pair of horizontal
angle irons 49 which span the side rails 19 of the table 1 and
which are cantilevered outward beyond the rear of the table from
the rear side rail 19 with the front end of the bed 51 of the
sewing machine received in the cutout 45 of the table and with the
horizontal top surface of the bed 51 of the sewing machine
generally flush with the top surface of the table top 27 (i.e., the
table top plate 33). The work plate of the sewing machine is
indicated at 53; the needle of the sewing machine is indicated at
55; the feed device of the sewing machine is indicated at 57; and
the presser foot of the sewing machine is indicated at 59. On the
exit side of the needle is a cutter 61 (see FIG. 7) pivoted at 63
on the bed of the machine and operable by an air cylinder 65.
At 67 is indicated an electric motor for driving the sewing machine
via a conventional clutch and brake mechanism (not shown) and a
belt and pulley drive 69 between the output shaft 71 of the clutch
and brake mechanism and the input shaft 73 of the sewing machine.
In the operation of the apparatus, the electric motor operates
continuously, and the clutch is engaged with attendant release of
the brake to start the sewing machine for a sewing operation on a
piece of fabric entered into the sewing machine, and the clutch is
disengaged with attendant engagement of the brake to stop the
sewing machine when the sewing operation has been completed.
Actuation of the clutch and brake mechanism is via an air cylinder
75 operating a shifter fork 77.
The means 5 for guiding a workpiece through the machine for contour
stitching of the edge of the workpiece is similar to the edge
contour guide system shown in my aforesaid copending U.S.
application Ser. No. 738,036. It is located at the entrance side of
the sewing machine 3 and comprises a post 79 extending up from the
back side rail 19 of the table 1. Extending back from the top of
this post is a platform 81 on the rearward end of which is mounted
a bracket 83 for pivotally supporting an air cylinder 85.
The bracket includes a pair of arms 87 extending horizontally in
the direction toward the front of the apparatus and having a pivot
pin 89 extending horizontally between the arms at their front ends,
this pin being generally at right angles to and slightly above the
bed 51 of the sewing machine. A hinge plate 91 is hinged at its
lower end on the pin 89. The air cylinder 85 has its back end
secured to the hinge plate 91 and extends therefrom in the
direction toward the front of the apparatus.
Mounted on the front end of the air cylinder 85 is a bracket 93
having a leg 95 extending in the direction toward the front of the
apparatus and carrying at its front end a vertical sleeve 97.
Rotatable in this sleeve is a shaft 99 having a collar 101 secured
on its upper end at the top of the sleeve having a radial arm 103,
and a radial arm 105 constituting a wheel carrier secured on its
lower end at the lower end of the sleeve. The cylinder has a piston
107 slidable therein having a piston rod 109 extending out through
openings in the front end head of the cylinder and the rear end
head of the cylinder. On the rear end of the piston rod is a collar
109a serving as a stop with respect to frontward movement of the
piston rod. On the front end of the piston rod is a clevis 109 b
the rear end of which serves as a stop with respect to rearward
movement of the piston rod, with a link 110 having a pin connection
with the clevis and a pin connection with the radial crank arm 103
on the upper end of the shaft 99. The wheel carrier arm 105 extends
in the direction toward the sewing machine from the lower end of
shaft 99 and has an inverted U-shaped yoke 105a extending downward
therefrom adjacent its foward end with a shaft 105b extending
between the lower ends of the sides of this yoke carrying a guide
wheel 111.
The cylinder 85, carrying the bracket 93 and the wheel 111, is
adapted to swing down by gravity on the axis of pivot pin 89 to a
lowered operative position determined by engagement of the wheel
111 with a horizontal bed plate 113 on the front end of an arm 115
which extends toward the front of the apparatus from the post 79.
The bed plate 113 is accommodated in the cutout 45 of the table top
27, and is generally flush with the top plate 33 of the table top.
The cylinder 85 is adapted to be swung upward from its stated
lowered position to lift the wheel 111 upward away from the bed
plate 113 by a vertically extending air cylinder 117 having its
lower end mounted as indicated at 119 on the arm 115. A piston rod
121 extends upward from a piston 123 in the cylinder and has a nut
125 adjustably threaded on its upper end engageable by an ear 127
at the top of the bracket 93, the arrangement being such that on
upward movement of the piston rod 119 from its lowered retracted
position of FIG. 7, the cylinder 85 is swung upward to lift the
wheel 111 off the bed plate 113.
For operating the guide wheel 111 for automatic shifting of the
fabric ply being fed through the sewing machine 3 in accordance
with the contour of its edge E which is to be stitched, there is
provided a pneumatic edge sensor for the ply, indicated generally
at 129, and comprising an air nozzle 131 on a C-shaped bracket 133
on the work plate 53 of the sewing machine positioned to direct a
continuous stream of air downward toward a vertical air inlet hole
135 in the base 137 of the C-shaped bracket. This hole intersects a
hole 139 in the base and a nipple 141 is provided on the back of
the base in communication with hole 139 for attachment of an air
line 143. Nozzle 131 has a lateral nipple 145 for attachment of an
air supply line 147. The lower end of the nozzle is spaced from the
top surface of the base 137 of the bracket 133, the gap
therebetween being indicated at 149. This gap is dimensioned for
free passage therethrough of a piece of material being stitched by
the sewing machine. The nozzle 131 (and the air inlet hole 135
aligned with the nozzle) are located closely adjacent the guide
wheel 111 and in the region between the guide wheel and the needle
of the sewing machine, and laterally offset toward the rear of the
apparatus from the vertical longitudinal plane of the apparatus
through the needle of the sewing machine a distance corresponding
to the desired spacing for the stitching from edge E of the ply of
material.
Air cylinder 85 operates in response to the edge sensor 129 to
control the guide wheel 111 for guiding the ply of material being
fed through the sewing machine by its feed means 57 in accordance
with the contour of the edge E of the ply of material. Air cylinder
85 has a port 151 connected by passaging 153 to its rear end and a
port 155 connected by passaging 157 to its front end. Supply of air
to these ports is controlled by an air proportioning device 159
which is in turn under control of the edge sensor 129 (see FIG.
16). The air proportioning device 159 is of a type available from
Corning Glass Works, of Corning, N.Y., essentially comprising a
relatively thin generally rectangular body 161 having an air inlet
passage 163, two air outlet passages 165 and 167, and two control
passages 169 and 171. A nipple 173 is provided for connection of an
air line to the inlet passage 163, nipples 175 and 177 are provided
for connection of air lines to the outlet passages 165 and 167, and
nipples 179 and 181 are provided for connection of air lines to the
control passages 169 and 171. The passaging in the body is such
that, with air under pressure supplied through the inlet passage
163, and with air at equal pressure supplied through the control
passages 169 and 171, the air input is equally proportioned between
outlet passages 165 and 167, so that the air output of each of the
outlet passages 165 and 167 is equal. If pressure of air supplied
through control passage 169 becomes higher than pressure of air
supplied through control passage 171, then the device automatically
functions to proportion the output according to the control
pressures, i.e., to increase the pressure of air delivered through
outlet passage 167 and decrease the pressure of air delivered
through outlet passage 165. Conversely, if pressure of air supplied
through control passage 171 becomes higher than pressure of air
supplied through control passage 169, then the device functions
automatically to increase the pressure of air supplied through
outlet passage 165 and decrease the pressure of air supplied
through outlet passage 167.
Referring to FIG. 16, there is indicated at 183 a pressure
regulator to an inlet of which is connected an air line 185 leading
from a source of compressed air (e.g., at 40 psi). Regulator 183 is
adapted to drop the supply pressure to 5 psi, for example. An air
supply line 187 extends from an outlet of regulator 183 to the
inlet 173 of the air proportioning device 159. An air line 189 is
shown as extending from another outlet of regulator to the inlet of
another pressure regulator 191, which is adapted further to drop
the pressure (e.g., to 2 1/4 psi). An air line 193 extends from the
outlet of regulator 191, and has branch air line connections 147
and 197, respectively, with nozzle 131 and with nipple 179 for
control passage 169 of the air prooprtioning device 159. Line 147
supplies air to nozzle 131. Line 197 has a flow regulator 199 and
an air gap 201 therein. Air line 143 interconnects inlet 135 via
nipple 141 with nipple 181 for control passage 171 of the air
porportioning device 159. Line 197 maintains a control pressure
(e.g., 1 1/2 psi) in control passage 169 of device 159, the air gap
201 reducing surging in line 197. Pressure in control passage 171
varies in accordance with the extent of the opening or closing of
the inlet 135 by the edge E of the ply of material, via line 143.
Nipples 175 and 177 of air outlet passages 165 and 167 of device
159 are connected to ports 155 and 151 of cylinder 85 as indicated
at 205 and 207.
The means 7 for holding the pile or stack S of plies P of material
at the rearward end of the sewing machine table 1 comprises a
vertically movable elevator platform 209 adapted to hold the stack,
and biased to move relatively slowly upward as plies are picked up
off the stack to maintain the top ply P1 of the stack generally in
the plane of the top 27 of the sewing machine table 1. This
elevator platform 209 is guided for vertical movement by means of a
pair of guide rods such as indicated at 211 extending downward from
the platform through guide holes in a crossbar 213 spanning a pair
of fixed horizontal side rails 25 which extend rearward from the
rearward end rail 21 of the sewing machine table 1. The rails 215
are supported at thier outer ends by a pair of inclined braces 217
joined at their rearward upper ends to a crossbar 219. Shafts 211
and 223 are journalled at their ends in the side rails 215. Shaft
221 has a pair of arms 225 extending radially therefrom having
their outer ends connected by links 227 to the platform 209. Shaft
223 has a single arm 229 extending radially therefrom connected by
a link 231 to the platform. Crank arms 233 and 235 extending from
shafts 221 and 223, respectively, have their outer ends connected
together by a link 237. A cylinder 239 is pivotally connected at
its rearward end as indicated at 241 to the crossbar 219. A piston
rod 243 extends from a piston in the cylinder through the foward
end of the cylinder to a pin connection at 245 with the link 237.
An oil reservoir 247 is mounted on the crossbar 219, the lowr end
of this reservoir being in communication with the rearward end of
cylinder 239 via an oil line 249 having a flow control therein for
controlling the rate of flow of oil from the reservoir to the
cylinder for controlling the rate of speed of rise of the platform.
The upper end of the reservoir is supplied with compressed air from
a suitable source (not shown) via a pressure regulator 253 and an
air line 255. Compressed air under regulated pressure is maintained
in the reservoir 247 on top of the oil therein to maintain the oil
in the cylinder 239 under pressure for a constant upward bias of
the platform 209 via the piston rod 243, link 237, crank arms 233
and 225, 235, and 229, and links 227 and 231. Upward movement of
the platform is limited, as will appear, by engagement of the top
of the stack S of plies of material on the platform with the bottom
of a roller or reel 257 of the means 9 for separating and picking
up the top ply P1 of material from the stack S. Extending
lengthwise on top of the platform is a strip of foam rubber 258,
forming a ridge for humping up the stack S at its trailing end.
The roller or reel 257 comprises an elongate hollow cylinder having
one end thereof (its back end) secured on a spider 259 at the front
end of a roller-supporting quill 261. The quil l has an axial bore
263 extending frontward from its back end receiving the front end
of a quill-supporting shaft 265 with a sliding fit therebetween so
that the quill 261 is axially slidable on the front end portion of
shaft 265.
An auxiliary frame generally designated 257 (see FIGS. 1-3 and 8)
extends longitudinally of the apparatus in back of the elevator
platform 209 and partly in back of the sewing machine table 1 at
level just above the top of table 1. This frame includes a pair of
upper longitudinal bars each designated 269 and a pair of lower
longitudinal bars 271 extending between frame ends indicated at 273
and 275. The lower bars 271 are located aproximately in the same
horizontal plane as the table top 27, and each has secured on its
outside face a rack 277. These racks extend generally the full
length of the bars 269 with their teeth in a plane slightly above
the plane of the top surface of the table top 27.
The shaft 265 (which supports the roller 257) has a pair of pinions
each designated 279 keyed thereon meshing with and rolling on the
racks 277. Shaft 276 has a pair of collars 281 secured thereon on
opposite sides of a chain fastener member 283 mounted on the shaft
265, the shaft extending through and being rotatable in a central
hole in this member. 283 at oppostie sides of the shaft 265 and
extends A roller chain 285 has its ends connected to member 283 at
opposite sides of the shaft 265 and extends around a pair of idler
sprockets 287 and 289 at the outbaord end 273 of the frame 267, an
idler sprocket 291 at the inboard end 275 of the frame 267, and a
drive sprocket 293 on the output shaft 295 of a reversible
air-operated rotary motor 297. The arrangement is such that, on
operation of the air motor to rotate the shaft 295 in one direction
which may be referred to as the forward or advance direction the
chain 285 is moved in the direction for moving the shaft 265
forward, pinions 279 then rolling in counterclockwise direction as
viewed from the front on the racks 277 and rotating the shaft 265,
as it translates forward, in counterclockwise direction as viewed
from the front. On operation of the air motor 297 to rotate the
shaft 295 in reverse direction, the chain 295 is moved in reverse
dirction thereby to move the shaft 265 back toward the outboard end
273 of the frame 267 with accompanying rotation of the pinions 279
and the shaft 265 in reverse direction (clockwise as viewed from
the front of the apparatus). The pinsions 279 are held down in mesh
with the racks by means of a pair of rails 299 extending
longitudinally of the frame 267 above the shaft 265 on opposite
sides of the chain fastener member 283, these rails engaging
rollers 301 on the shaft 265.
An air-operated reversing valve for the air motor 297 is indicated
at 303 (see FIG. 24). This is adapted to supply compressed air to
motor 297 either via line 305 for operation of the motor in forward
direction or via line 307 for operation of the motor in reverse
direction. The valve is under control of a rearward pilot valve 309
carried by a bracket 311 adjustable mounted on the back rail 299
and a forward pilot valve 313 mounted in fixed position between the
lower bars 271. These pilot valves have trip arms indicated at 309a
and 313a engageable by the chain fastener member 283, with the
arrangement such that when shaft 265 is moved forward by the chain
285 (i.e., in the direction toward the table 1), member 283
ultimately engages the trip arm 313a of pilot valve 313 to actuate
this valve and hence to actuate reversing valve 303 to reverse the
air motor 297 to cause the chain to reverse and return the shaft
265 rearward, and, as it returns, member 283 engages the trip arm
309a of pilot valve 309 to actuate this valve to stop the motor 297
with an overrun so that roller 257 reaches its retracted position.
Valve 309 is a type which is tripped only on the rearward stroke of
member 283, not on its forward stroke.
As previously mentioned, the quill 261 is axially slidable on the
front end portion of shaft 265 which projects frontward beyond the
front pinion 279. Secured on the front face of the front pinion 279
concentric therewith is an internal ring gear 315. The quill has a
spur gear 317 on its back end, and the assembly of the quill and
roller is biased in the direction toward the back of the apparatus
to an operative position wherein the spur gear 317 is within and in
mesh with the ring gear 315 by a compression spring 319. The shaft
265 has an axial bore 321 with an enlarged-diameter back end
section 323. A rod 325 has its fron end threaded axially in the
back end of the quill as indicated at 327 and extends back through
the bore 321 in the shaft with a sliding fit therein. Spring 319
surrounds the rod 325 in the enlarged section 323 of the bore in
the shaft 265 and reacts from the shoulder 329 at the inner end of
section 323 against a head 331 on the back end of rod 325 to bias
the quill/roller assembly in the direction toward the back of the
apparatus.
Associated with the roller 257 is a pressure-sensitive tape system
generally designated 333 providing for removable attachment of the
top ply of material P1 to the roller as the roller moves forward in
translation and simultaneously rotates in wind-up direction
(counterclockwise as viewed from the front of the apparatus) to
cause the top ply of material to become rolled up on the roller.
This pressure-sensitive tape system comprises a bar 335 extending
out of the front end of the roller 257, having its inner end 335a
secured to the inside of the annular wall of the roller. Mounted on
this bar between the front end of the roller and the front end of
the bar is a holder 337 for a roll R of pressure-sensitive adhesive
tape T. The holder comprises a plate 339 rotatable on a pin 341
extending from the bar 335 having four pins 343 extending from the
face of the plate for mounting the roll R thereon. A tape take-up
roller 345 is rotatable on a pin 347 extending from the bar 335
between the front end of the roller 257 and the holder 337. The
tape T extends from the supply roll R around the take-up roller 345
and into the roller 257, thence out and around a guide roll 349 and
back over a shoe 351 which projects out slightly from the roller
257 through a slot 353 therein, thence in and around a guide roll
355 to the take-up roller. The shoe 351 is adjustable axially of
the roller along a diametrical partition 357 in the roller 257,
this partition having an axial slot 359 receiving screws 361
extending through the slot 359 and threaded in tapped holes in the
base of the shoe 351. The screws 361 are accessible via a slot 326
in the roller 257 diamemtricaly opposite slot 353.
A pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating the take-up roller is
indicated generally at 365. This comprises a ratchet 367 on the end
of the take-up roller 345 adjacent the bar 335 and a driving pawl
369 for this ratchet. Pawl 369 is a leaf spring member extending
from a block 371 secured on a rod 373 mounted for sliding movement
parallel to the bar 335 in inboard and outboard apertured guides
375 and 377 on the bar. A spring 379 reacting from the inboard
guide 375 against the block 371 biases the rod 373 to slide
outwardly to a retracted position determined by engagement of a
cotter pin 381 in the rod with the outboard guide 377. A yoke 383
secured on the outer end of the rod has a guide pin 385 parallel to
the rod extending through guide 377 at the end of bar 335. The yoke
has a follower button 387 constituted by the head of a screw for
cam actuation of the yoke and pawl-carrying rod 373. An arm 389
extending forward from the table structure 1 has a post 391
extending up from its outer end carrying a fixed cam 393 for
actuating the button 387 on the yoke 383 to drive the rod 373 and
the drive pawl 369 inward on forward movement of the roller 257
thereby to ratchet the take-up roller 345 one step forward to take
up an increment of the tape T so as to advance a fresh part of the
tape into position over the shoe 351. A holding pawl for the
ratchet 367 is indicated at 395.
The means 11 for feeding the ply of material delivered to the table
by the means 9 (which includes roller 257) comprises a carriage
generally designated 397 slidable longitudinally in the frame 267.
This carriage comprises a bar 399 extending longitudinally of the
frame 267 having a pair of guide eyes 401 thereon at its ends and a
bar 403 extending transversely back from bar 399 having a guide
roller 405 at its back end. The guide eyes 401 receive and are
slidable on a rod 407 extending longitudinally of the frame 267
under the upper front bar 269 of the frame. A coil compression
spring 409 serving as a bumper is mounted on rod 407 at its forward
end. Roller 405 rides in a channel track 411 on the bottom of an
upper back bar 269 of the frame 267. The carriage 397 is adapted
for reciprocation longitudinally of the frame 267 between the
advanced position in which it appears in FIG. 1 and the rear
retracted position in which it appears in FIG. 3 by a relatively
long air cylinder 413 mounted in the frame having a piston rod 415
extending through the forward end of the cylinder from a piston 417
therein to a connection with the carriage 397.
An arm 419 extends forward from the carriage over the sewing
machine table top 27 at an acute angle to the axis of the guide rod
407 for the carriage. At the free end (the forward end) of this arm
is a bracket 421. An air cylinder 423 has one end (its forward end)
secured to this bracket and extends horizontally rearward
therefrom. A piston rod 425 extends forward from a piston 427 in
this cylinder through the bracket 421 and has a vertical crosshead
429 on its forward end. A guide rod 431 extends rearward from the
crosshead 429 through a guide 431 in the bracket 421 having a
sliding fit therein. An air cylinder 433 has one end (its back end)
secured to the crosshead 429 adjacent the lower end of the
crosshead and extends horizontally toward the front of the
apparatus therefrom. A piston rod 435 extends toward the back of
the apparatus from a piston 437 in cylinder 433 and has a vertical
crosshead 439 on its back end carrying a vertical air cylinder 441.
A guide pin 443 extends toward the front from crosshead 439 through
a guide 445 in crosshead 429, having a sliding fit therein. A
piston rod 447 extends down from a piston 449 in cylinder 441
through the lower end of this cylinder and has a disk 451 on its
lower end carrying a circular pad 453 of soft sponge material
(e.g., sponge rubber) constituting a gripper. Cylinder 441 is a
spring return cylinder.
On top of the sewing machine table 1 immediately rearward of the
cutout 45 and adjacent the back side of the table is a bracket 455
having an upper ear 457 extending toward the front over the table,
and mounted in this ear is a jet sensor nozzle 459 adapted to blow
air downwardly toward an air inlet hole 461 in the top plate 33 of
the table top 27 aligned with the nozzle. This nozzle 459 and the
air inlet hole 461 constitute a sensor for sensing lateral movement
of a ply of fabric over the table top in the direction toward the
back of the apparatus to a position from which the ply is adapted
to be fed forward into the sewing machine, and for effecting
actuation of cylinder 75 to engage the clutch (and disengage the
brake) of the sewing machine drive to start the sewing machine,
also for effecting actuation of cylinder 413 as will appear.
A bracket 463 mounted at the front end of the sewing machine 3 has
a horizontal flange 465 extending in the direction toward the front
of the apparatus above the work plate 53 of the sewing machine. A
jet sensor nozzle 467 is mounted in this flange adjacent its
trailing end adapted to blow air downwardly toward an air inlet
hole 469 in the work plate 53. This nozzle 467 and the air inlet
hole 469 constitute a sensor for effecting deactuation of cylinder
117 to lower the guide wheel 111, deactuation of cylinders 423,
433, and 441 to retract the pad 453 (in three directions),
deactuation of cylinder 75 to stop the sewing machine when a ply of
fabric has been fed through the machine and stitched, and also
controlling operation of a stacker. Another jet sensor nozzle 471
is mounted in flange 465 adjacent its leading end adapted to blow
air downwardly toward another air inlet hole 473 in plate 53. This
nozzle 471 and inlet hole 473 constitute a sensor for controlling
operation of the cylinder 65 for operating the cutter 61. This
operation is by means of a conventional pneumatic circuit adapted
to operate the cylinder to drive the cutter through a cutting
stroke when the trailing edge of a ply of fabric fed through the
sewing machine exits from the machine, and then to retract the
cutter.
Means indicated generally at 475 is provided at the exit end of the
apparatus for feeding a ply of material which has been stitched by
the sewing machine forward over the exit end of the top 27 of the
sewing machine table 1 to present it to a stacking means indicated
generally at 477. The feeding means 475 and the stacking means are
fully described in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,674, and the
same reference numerals as used in said patent for parts of these
means appear in the drawings of this application.
Referring to FIG. 24, there is indicated at 569 a valve having an
inlet i supplied with compressed air from a suitable source as
indicated by the arrow and having two ports a and b and two
air-operated actuators c and d. Port b is blocked. When actuator c
is actuated by air, it shifts the valve to direct air from inlet i
to port b, which is blocked. When actuator d is actuated by air, it
shifts the valve to direct air from inlet i through port a. Pilot
valve 309 is a normally closed valve having an inlet i supplied
with compressed air, from the soruce as indicated by the arrow,
with a line 571 interconnecting its outlet and actuator c of valve
569. A normally closed manual on-off start valve 573 has its inlet
i supplied with compressed air from the source and its outlet
connected by a line 575 including a check valve 577 to one inlet of
a shuttle valve 579. A line 581 connects the outlet of the shuttle
valve to actuator d of valve 569. A line 583 interconnects outlet a
of valve 569 with lines 585, 587 and 589. Line 585 is connected to
the air-operated actuator of a normally closed air-operated valve
591. The inlet of this valve 591 is supplied with compressed air
from the source as indicated by the arrow, and its outlet is
connected by line 593 to the inlet of a normally open air-operated
valve 595. A line 597 including a flow control interconnects line
593 and the air-operated actuator of valve 595. A line 599
including a flow control extends from the outlet of valve 595 and
supplies air to two jets 601 and 603 carried by a bracket 605
adjustable along the front bar 269. Jet 601 is positioned to direct
air down on top of roller 257 when the latter is in its retracted
(rearward) position, and jet 603 is positioned to direct air down
at an angle behind the roller 257 when the latter is in its
retracted position.
Line 587 is interconnected with the air-operated actuator of a
normally closed air-operated valve 607 and includes an on-off
toggle valve 609 which is maintained on for full automatic
operation. The inlet of valve 607 is supplied with compressed air
from the source as indicated by the arrow and its outlet is
connected by a line 611 to the inlet of the aforesaid air-operated
reversing valve 303 for the air motor 297. The valve 303 has ports
a and b connected by the lines 305 and 307 (each including a flow
control) to the motor 297. At 615 is indicated a normally closed
air-operated valve having its inlet supplied with compressed air
from the source as indicated by the arrow and its outlet connected
by line 617 to the air-operated actuator of valve 303. The
arrangement is such that when valve 615 is closed (as is normal),
valve 303 is set to operate motor 297 in forward direction, and
when valve 615 is open, valve 303 is set to operate motor 297 in
reverse direction. A line 619 is interconnected between the
air-operated actuator of valve 615 and a junction 621. Line 589,
which includes a check valve 623, extends to this junction. Pilot
valve 313 has an inlet supplied with compressed air from the source
as indicated by the arrow, and has its outlet connected to junction
621 by a line 625.
A line 627 is interconnected between junction 621 and the inlet of
a pulse valve 629 (i.e., a valve which delivers a pulse of air on
being actuated by air, and then shuts off). At 631 is indicated a
valve having an inlet i supplied with compressed air from the
source as indicated by the arrow, two ports a and b, and two
air-operated actuators c and d. When c is actuated, air is
delivered through b and a is vented, and when d is actuated air is
delivered through a and b is vented. A line 633 connects the pulse
outlet of valve 629 and actuator d of valve 631. At 635 is
indicated a pilot valve having an operating arm 635a engageable by
the rear end of carriage 397 upon retraction thereof, and at 637 is
indicated a pilot valve having an operating arm engageable by
carriage 397 at the forward end of its stroke (see FIGS. 2 and 3 as
well as FIG. 24). Valve 635 has an inlet supplied with compressed
air from the source as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 24 and has
its outlet connected by a line 639 to a junction at 641. A line 643
including a flow control extends from this junction to the inlet of
a delay device 645 (e.g., a chamber) and a line 647 connects the
outlet of this delay device and the actuator c of valve 631. A line
649 including a flow control connects port a of valve 631 to the
forward end of cylinder 413 and a line 651 including a flow control
connects port b of valve 631 to the rear end of cylinder 413.
At 652 is indicated a valve having an inlet i supplied with
compressed air from the source as indicated by the arrow, two ports
a and b, and two air-operated actuators c and d. ports a is
blocked. When d is actuated, b is vented. When c is actuated, air
is delivered through b. A line 653 connects the outlet of pilot
valve 637 to the inlet of a pulse valve 655. A line 657 connects
the outlet of this pulse valve to actuator d of valve 652. A line
659 extends from junction 641 to actuator c of valve 652. A line
661 extends from port b of valve 652 to one inlet of a shuttle
valve 663. A line 665 extends from the outlet of this shuttle valve
to the upper end of cylinder 441, which is a spring-return cylinder
having a spring 667 biasing its piston 449 upward.
At 669 and 671 are indicated valves each having an inlet i, two
outlets a and b, and a single air-operated actuator c. At 673 is
indicated a valve having an inlet i supplied with compressed air
from the source as indicated by the arrow, two ports a and b and
two air-operated actuators c and d. As to each of valves 669 and
671, when c is deactuated, air is supplied from i to a. When c is
actuated air is supplied from i to b. As to valve 673, when c is
actuated, air is supplied from i to b and a is vented, and when d
is actuated air is supplied from i to a and b is vented. A line 675
extends from outlet b of valve 673 to a junction 677, and a line
679 extends from this junction to the other inlet of shuttle valve
663. A line 680 extends from junction 677 to the inlet i of valve
669. A line 681 extends from line 653 to the inlet of a pulse valve
683 and a line 685 extends from the outlet of this pulse valve to
the actuator c of valve 673. A line 687 extends from line 675 to
the inlet of an air-actuated snap-acting valve 689, and a line 691
extends from the outlet of valve 689 to one inlet of a shuttle
valve 693. Valve 689 is adapted to snap open when pressure builds
up therein to a predetermined valve and supply air through 691. The
outlet of shuttle valve 693 is connected by a line 695 to the inlet
of a pulse valve 697, the outlet of which is connected by line 699
to actuator d of valve 673. A line 701 around valve 689 includes a
flow control and a tank 703.
A line 705 connects outlet a of valve 671 and the other inlet of
shuttle valve 693. A line 707 connects outlet b of valve 671 to the
air actuator of a normally closed air-operated valve 709. The
latter has an inlet supplied with compressed air from the source as
indicated by the arrow and has its outlet connected by a line 711
to the top of an oil reservoir 713. An oil line 715 including a
flow control extends from the bottom of this reservoir to the rear
end of cylinder 423. A line 717 extends from outlet a of valve 669
to inlet i of valve 671. A pilot line 719 including a flow control
extends from outlet b of valve 669 to the actuator of a normally
closed air-operated valve 721, the inlet of which is supplied with
compressed air from the source as indicated by the arrow. A line
723 extends from the outlet of valve 721 to the top of an oil
reservoir 725. An oil line 727 including A flow control extends
from the bottom of this reservoir to the lower end of cylinder 433.
A line 729 extends from outlet a of valve 673 to the inlet of a
normally open air-operated valve 731 and is connected by line 733
including a flow control to the actuator of this valve 731. A line
735 extends from the outlet of valve 731 to the actuator of a
normally closed air-operated valve 737, the inlet of which is
supplied with compressed air from the source as indicated by the
arrow. A line 739 extends from the outlet of valve 737 to the
forward end of cylinder 423, and a line 741 interconnects line 739
and the upper end of cylinder 433.
A line 743 connects the sensor inlet hole 461 to the control of an
interface valve 745 (an amplifier) the inlet of which is supplied
with compressed air from the source as indicated by the arrow. A
line 747 connects the outlet of this valve to the actuator c of
valve 669. A line 749 connects the sensor inlet hole 465 to the
control of an interface valve 751 similar to 745 the inlet of which
is supplied with compressed air from the source as indicated by the
arrow. A line 753 connects the outlet of this valve to actuator c
of valve 671. A line 755 extends from line 747 to the actuator of a
normally open air-operated valve 757, the inlet of which is
supplied with compressed air from the source as indicated by the
arrow. A line 759 extends from the outlet of valve 757 to one inlet
of a shuttle valve 761. The outlet of this shuttle valve is
connected by a line 763 including a flow control to the upper end
of cylinder 75. A line 765 extends from line 755 to the actuator of
a normally closed air-operated valve 767. The inlet of this valve
is adapted to be supplied with air via a line 769 from the outlet
of a normally closed air-operated valve 771, the inlet of which is
supplied with compressed air from the source as indicated by the
arrow. The outlet of valve 767 is connected by a line 773 including
a flow control to the lower end of cylinder 75. A normally open
air-operated valve 775 having its inlet supplied with compressed
air from the source as indicated by the arrow has its outlet
connected by a line 777 to the other inlet of the shuttle valve
761. A line 779 extending from line 753 has branch connections 781
and 783 to the actuators of valves 771 and 775. The lower end of
cylinder 117 is connected to line 779 as indicated at 785. A line
787 connects line 779 to the actuator of a normally open
air-operated valve 789 the inlet of which is supplied with
compressed air as indicated by the arrow. The outlet of valve 789
is connected by a line 791 to the inlet of a pulse valve 793, with
a line 795 connecting the outlet of this pulse valve and the other
inlet of shuttle valve 579 from line 575.
The pneumatic circuitry for the feeding means 475 and the stacking
means 477 (appearing at the lower left of FIG. 24) is fully
described in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,674, and the same
reference numerals as used in said patent for parts of said
circuitry appear in FIG. 24 of this application.
Operation is as follows.
The apparatus as described above and shown in the drawings is
adapted to operate automatically to process each ply or workpiece P
through a cycle, with each successive cycle starting before the
previous cycle is completed for rapid processing of the workpieces,
involving separating and picking up of a workpiece (the top ply P1)
from the stack S and delivering it to the table top 27, feeding the
workpiece over the table top 27 by means 11 for entry of the
leading end of its edge E into the sewing machine 3, feeding the
workpiece through the sewing machine (by the feed device 57 of the
sewing machine) and stitching along its edge E, with the workpiece
guided for contour stitching along edge E by the edge contour guide
means 5, feeding the stitched workpiece exiting from the sewing
machine by means 475 to the stacking means 477, and, finally,
stacking the workpiece by means 477.
At the start of the cycle on each workpiece, the roller 257 is back
in its retracted position of FIGS. 1 - 3 and 17 over and engaged by
the trailing end portion of stack S, and the roller is in the
angular position of rotation around its horizontal axis wherein the
exposed reach T1 the pressure-sensitive tape T is facing downward,
contacted by the humped-up trailing end portion of the top ply P1
of the stack. The retracted position of the roller 257 is
determined by the position of the pilot valve 309, which, as above
noted, is adjustable longitudinally along the frame 267 to make the
retracted position of the roller to correspond to the position of
the trailing end portion of the stack S on the elevator platform
209. Generally, the platform 209 will have a mark such as indicated
at 831 thereon indicating the position for placement of the stack
on the platform, and valve 308 is adjusted in accordance with the
length of plies P in the stack so that the roller 257 retracts to a
position above the trailing end portion of the stack. To place the
roller 257 in its stated angular position wherein the exposed reach
T1 of the tape T faces downward when the roller is in its retracted
position, the roller is pulled axially toward the front of the
apparatus (against the return bias of spring 319) to disengage the
spur gear 317 from the internal ring gear 315, then the roller may
be rotated on its axis to bring it into its stated angular position
with the exposed reach T1 of the tape T facing downward, and
finally the roller is returned axially toward the back of the
apparatus for reengagement of gears 319 and 317. The carriage 397
and cylinders 423, 433 and 441 carried thereby (constituting the
feeding means 11) are in the advanced or forward position of FIGS.
1, 2 and 17 with the piston rods of all three of these cylinders
retracted, hence with pad 453 raised above table top 27. Platform
209 is biased upward by the air-pressurized oil in cylinder 239 so
that the humped-up trailing end portion of the top ply P1 of the
stack S is in contact with (and adhered to) the exposed reach T1 of
tape T on the roller 257.
A cycle may be regarded as starting when the leading end of a
workpiece (i.e., top ply P1) being fed forward by means 11 during
the preceding cycle passes between the jet 467 and the inlet 465
and interrupts the flow of air through lines 749, 753, 779 and 787.
When this occurs, valve 789 is returned to its normally open
position, and supplies air via line 791 to pulse valve 793 which
delivers a pulse of air via line 795, shuttle valve 579 and line
581 to actuator d of valve 569, thereby setting this valve to
deliver air through its port a to lines 583, 585, 587 and 589. This
results in valve 303 being set to operate the air motor 297 in
forward direction, and in air being delivered via line 599 to the
jets 601 and 603.
Upon operation of the air motor 297 in forward direction, chain 285
is driven in forward direction to pull member 283 forward, and this
moves roller 257 forward in translation in direction normal to its
axis. As roller 257 moves forward, it is caused to rotate by the
rolling of pinions 279 on the racks 277 in counterclockwise
direction as viewed from the front of the apparatus. The top ply P1
of the stack S is in effect attached to the roller by its adherence
to the exposed portion T1 of the pressure-sensitive adhesive tape
T, and hence is rolled up around the roller as the roller moves
forward as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. The humping up of the
trailing or rearward end of the stack by the strip 258 of sponge
rubber acts to minimize the tendency of the second ply of the stack
S to cling to the top ply P1, and the top ply is efficiently and
cleanly peeled off the stack away from the second ply of the stack.
The jet 601 directs air down on the top of the roller 257 as the
roller moves forward, and the jet 603 directs air at an angle down
behind the roller 257 to peel the second ply away from the first
ply if it should tend to cling to the top ply.
The roller 257 moves forward in translatory motion and rotates on
its axis as it moves forward to continue winding up the top ply P1.
It continues its forward motion and its rotation on its axis until
it has rotated one complete revolution after leaving the leading
(forward) end of the stack, as determined by the position of valve
313. FIG. 19 shows the roller 257 with the wound-up ply P1 thereon
as it completes this one-revolution motion; it will be observed
that at this point the roller 257 has moved forward some distance
over the table top 27. The outer end of the ply P1 on the roller
(which had been the leading end of the ply as it reposed at the top
of stack S) is disposed on the table. Chain fastener member 383
engages arm 313a of valve 313 and actuates valve 313 at this point.
Valve 313 thereupon delivers air via lines 625 and 619 to the
actuator of valve 615 to set it to deliver air via line 617 to the
actuator of valve 303, thereby setting the latter to drive the air
motor 297 in reverse direction. Chain 285 is thereupon driven in
reverse direction to pull member 283 back, and this moves roller
257 back toward its retracted starting position. As roller 257
moves back, it is caused to rotate in unwinding direction
(clockwise as viewed from the front of the apparatus) by rolling of
pinions 279 on the racks 277, and this results in unwinding of the
ply P1 from the roller.
On being actuated by member 283, valve 313 also delivers air via
lines 625 and 627 to pulse valve 629 which delivers a pulse of air
to actuator d of valve 631 to set this valve to deliver air via its
outlet a and line 649 to the forward end of cylinder 413 (its left
end as viewed in FIG. 24) and to vent the rearward end of this
cylinder via line 651 and port b of valve 631. As a result, piston
rod 415 is retracted to retract the carriage 397 rearward and this
moves the cluster of cylinders 423, 433 and 441 rearward to the
retracted position in which they appear in FIG. 20, the cluster
closely following the retreating roller 257. The carriage 397 moves
rearward until it engages the operating arm of valve 635 and
actuates this valve to supply air via lines 639, 643, delay means
645 and line 647 to actuator c of valve 631. After a delay due to
645, valve 631 is reversed to deliver air via line 651 to the
rearward end of cylinder 413 and to vent the forward end of
cylinder 413 via line 649 to return the carriage forward to its
starting position. However, before the return of the carriage
forward (i.e., during the delay imposed by 645), valve 635 also
supplies air via lines 639 and 659 to actuator c of valve 652,
setting it to deliver air via its port b and line 661, shuttle
valve 663 and line 665 to the top of cylinder 441 to drive the pad
or gripper 453 downward (see the dotted line position shown for 453
in FIG. 10, and also see FIG. 20) to clamp the leading end of the
workpiece (ply P1) down on the table top 21. This keeps the
workpiece from being pulled back by the retreating roller 257, so
that the workpiece remains in the position in which it has been
delivered to the table by the roller 257, as shown in FIG. 20. The
pad 453 holds its FIG. 20 position until the roller 257 has been
completely retracted and portion T1 of tape T has disengaged from
the workpiece.
When the roller 257, in moving forward, passes off the forward end
of the stack S, the platform 209 and stack are released for upward
movement under the bias of the air-pressurized oil in cylinder 239.
However, the arrangement is such that the platform and stack move
upward relatively slowly, and as the roller 257 moves back from its
FIG. 19 advanced position it rolls over the top of the stack and,
if necessary, pushes the stack and platform down.
As the roller 257 is moving forward and near the end of its forward
stroke, the button 387 on the yoke 383 engages the cam 393, and the
yoke 383, rod 373 and pawl 369 are driven inward with respect to
roller 257 against the return bias of spring 379 to ratchet the
take-up roller 345 one step forward and thereby take up an
increment of tape T to effect bringing a fresh portion of tape into
position T1 for the ensuing cycle.
As the carriage 397 is moved forward back to its starting position,
the pad 453, which is in its lowered position pressing the leading
end of the workpiece down against table top 27 to grip the
workpiece, feeds the workpiece forward over the table top 27 from
the FIG. 20 position to the FIG. 21 advanced position wherein the
leading end of the ply is somewhat forward of the sensor jet 459.
The carriage 397, at the end of its forward stroke, actuates valve
637, opening the latter to deliver air via line 653 to pulse valve
655 which delivers a pulse of air to actuator d of valve 652. This
sets valve 652 to vent port b, and line 661, but cylinder 441
remains pressurized and pad 453 remains down due to valve 637 also
supplying air via lines 653 and 681 to pulse valve 683 to deliver a
pulse of air via line 685 to actuator c of valve 673 thereby to
deliver air through port b of 685, and lines 675 and 679, and
shuttle valve 663 and line 665 to the upper end of cylinder 441. It
also provides for delivery of air via line 680 to inlet i of valve
669, which is set at this time to deliver air via its port b and
line 719 to the actuator of valve 721. The latter opens and
delivers air via line 723 to the oil reservoir 725 to pressurize
oil in this reservoir and in line 727 and the cylinder 433 to
extend the piston rod 435 of cylinder 433 so as to move the pad 453
(which is down and still gripping the workpiece) laterally with
respect to the table top 27 in the direction toward the sensor jet
459 and the related air inlet 461. The pad 453, still clamped down
on the workpiece and gripping it moves it laterally of the table
top 27 back in the direction toward the jet 459 (compare FIGS. 21
and 22).
Piston rod 435 of cylinder 433 continues its movement, with
continuing movement of the workpiece laterally with respect to the
table top 27, until the margin of the workpiece at its edge E
intersects the sensor inlet port 461 and blocks the flow of air
through line 743. The result of this is to cut off flow of air
through valve 745 and line 747 to actuator c of valve 669, with the
result that valve 669 is deactuated to deliver air via its port a
and line 717 to inlet i of valve 671. Valve 721 is thereby
deactuated to vent the upper end of the oil reservoir 725, and
piston rod 435 stops, with the workpiece in a position of alignment
with respect to the needle of the sewing machine, as determined by
the location of jet 459 and air inlet 461 for entry of the
workpiece into the sewing machine 3. Valve 671 is set at this time
to deliver air from its inlet i to its port b, hence air is
delivered via line 707 to actuate valve 709 to deliver air to the
top of oil reservoir 713. The pressurized oil acts via line 715 to
extend piston rod 425 of cylinder 423, thereby moving cylinders 433
and 441 and pad 453 (which is still down and still gripping the
workpiece) forward to feed the workpiece P1 further forward over
the table top 27 to enter the workpiece into the sewing machine
(see FIG. 23).
The forward movement of piston rod 425 and pad 453 continues until
the leading end of the workpiece P1 intersects the sensor inlet
port 465. This blocks the flow of air through line 749, with the
result that valve 751 shuts off the flow of air through line 753 to
actuator c of valve 671. Accordingly, valve 671 is shifted back to
its deactuated position in which it vents its port b, and hence it
vents line 707, deactuates valve 709, and vents line 711 and oil
reservoir 713. This stops the forward movement of piston rod 425 of
cylinder 423. Valve 671, being deactuated, provides for delivery of
air via line 705, shuttle valve 693 and line 695 to pulse valve 697
to deliver a pulse of air via line 699 to actuator d of valve 673,
thereby shifting valve 673 back to its starting position. Valve 673
thereupon vents cylinder 441 via 679, 675 and its port b for
retraction (raising) of the pad 453. It also delivers air via line
729 to and through valve 731 to close it and line 735 to the
actuator of valve 737, actuating the latter to deliver air via
lines 739 and 741 to cylinders 423 and 433 to retract the piston
rods 425 and 435 of these cylinders (thus returning them to their
starting position). The flow control in line 733 acts to delay
actuation of valve 731 which when actuated cuts off the return air
pressure for cylinders 423 and 433 so that they are not pressurized
when off duty.
When flow of air through line 753 is shut off (by blocking of
sensor inlet 465), air is shut off from line 779. This deactuates
cylinder 117 so that the edge contour guide wheel 111, which had
been held up in raised position by piston rod 121 of cylinder 117
being extended upward, comes down on the workpiece P1 which has
been fed under the wheel 111 by the pad 453 as it is moved forward
by cylinder 423. This downward movement is under the weight of
cylinder 85, bracket 95 etc.
As above noted, the workpiece is moved laterally from its FIG. 21
to its FIG. 22 position by pad 453 until the workpiece blocks
sensor inlet 461, which results in curtailing the flow of air
through line 747. It also curtails the flow of air through line
755, with the result that valve 757 is deactuated and hence opened
(and valve 767 is deactuated and hence closed). Valve 757 thereupon
supplies air via 759, 761 and 763 to the upper end of cylinder 75.
The lower end of this cylinder is vented via line 773 and valve 767
(deactuated on account of curtailment of air flow in 755 and 765).
Accordingly, the piston rod of cylinder 75 is extended to start the
sewing machine 3. Thus, the sewing machine is running when the
workpiece is fed forward by the forward movement of the piston rod
425 of cylinder 423 (FIG. 23) and its leading end is entered in the
sewing machine. The pad 453 is raised when the leading end of the
workpiece enters the sewing machine, and the feeding device 57 of
the sewing machine then takes over and feeds the workpiece through
the machine for stitching of the workpiece along its edge E. As the
workpiece is fed through the sewing machine, it is guided for
contour stitching of its edge E by the wheel 111 under control of
cylinder 85, the air proportioning device 161 and jet sensor
129.
During the time the workpiece is being fed through the sewing
machine, sensor port 469 remains covered by the workpiece. When the
workpiece has been almost completely fed through the machine, its
trailing end passes by port 469, which then again receives air from
jet 467. Air thereupon flows through line 753 to reset valve 671.
Air flows from line 753 through lines 779 and 785 to extend piston
rod 121 of cylinder 117 (i.e., move it upward) so as to lift up the
guide wheel 111 for entry of the next workpiece, air flow through
779 and 781 actuates valve 771 and air flow through line 783
actuates (closes) valve 775. Valve 771 supplies air through line
769 to valve 767, which is open, and thence through line 773 to the
lower end of cylinder 75. The upper end of the cylinder 75 is
vented via line 763, shuttle valve 761, line 777 and valve 775.
Thus, the piston rod of cylinder 75 is retracted (moved upward) to
stop the sewing machine. This is after a delay due to the flow
control in line 763, enabling the sewing machine to complete the
feeding and stitching of the workpiece along its edge E.
Also, line 779 supplies air to effect operation of the feeding
means 475 and stacking means 477, all as fully described in the
aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,674.
Previous reference has been made to the return movement of the
roller 257. As it is moved in the return (rearward) direction by
the chain 285, the chain fastener member engages the operating arm
309a of valve 309 and thereby trips this valve to deliver air via
line 571 to actuator c of valve 569. Valve 569 thereupon is set to
deliver air from its inlet i to port b, which is blocked, and to
vent its port a, thus venting line 583 and lines 585, 587 and 589.
Valve 591 thereupon shuts off to stop flow of air to the jets 601
and 603. Valve 607 also shuts off to stop the air motor 297. Roller
257 continues to move rearward after motor 297 for about one-half a
turn and comes to a stop in its retracted position above the
trailing end of the stack ready for the next cycle, which starts
when, during the instant cycle, the leading end of the workpiece
intersects the jet sensor inlet 465. It will thus be observed that
successive cycles overlap, providing for rapid operation.
It will be observed that the pad 453, constituting the gripper or
gripping means, is mounted for movement between a raised retracted
position above the table 1 and a lowered position in engagement
with the top of a workpiece on the table and also for
multi-directional movement over the table including movement in
forward and lateral directions.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of
the invention are achieved and other advantageous results
attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *