PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SECURELY SEWING NET LINES TO AN EDGE LINE

Abstract: A process for securely sewing net lines (12) to an edge line (13) comprises the features that edge meshes (11) of the net line (12) are threaded into position on the line (13) and are drawn forwards intermittently by a common drawing arrangement (16). The edge meshes (11) are drawn past a sewing machines (14) which securely sews the edge meshes (11) separately to the line (13) at localised positions on the line, while a mesh distribution wheel (17) stretches out edge meshes (11) of the net line (12) in a desired distribution on the line (13) in front of the sewing machine (14), reckoned in the direction of movement of the line. In turn and order and separately each edge mesh (11) is gripped and secured in an accurately established position relative to the path of movement of the line (13) as well as relative to the sewing machine (14), while mesh corners (11a) associated with the edge mesh (11) are securely sewed to the line (13). An apparatus for securely sewing net lines (12) to an edge line (13) comprises a gripping and holding arrangement (18) which is moveable inwards into and outwarrds from the path of movement of edge meshes (11) of the net line for fixing the mesh corner (11a) of the edge mesh of the net line in an accurate position relative to the sewing machine (14) and at the same time relative to the line (13).

Description: PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SECURELY SEWING NET LINES TO AN EDGE LINE The present invention relates to a process for securely sewing net lines to an edge line, where edge meshes of the net line are threaded into position on the line and are drawn forwards intermittently by a common drawing arrangement for line and net line, past a sewing machine which securely sews the edge meshes separately to the line at localised positions on the line, while a mesh distribution wheel stretches out edge meshes of the net line in a desired distri- bution on the line in front and by the sewing machine reckoned in the direction of movement of the line and line and net line are sewed by gripping and holding means. In addition the invention relates to an appa¬ ratus for carrying out the process and an apparatus aggregate for simultaneous secure sewing of edge meshes of a net line at opposite sides of the net line to their respective edge line. With certain types of fishing nets or net arrange¬ ments it has been customary to securely sew only certain of the edge meshes to associated edge lines, the remaining edge meshes having had the opportunity to be distributed freely between the securely sewed edge meshes in a suitable, more or less casual spread along the edge lines, VJith remaining types of fishing nets or net arrangements it is necessary on the other hand with respect to the use to securely sew each edge mesh to the associated edge line in order to ensure uniform loading between the edge meshes and the edge line and at the same time a uniform loading between the meshes of the net or the net arrangement. In order to achieve such uniform loading it is of decisive significance that the edge meshes are distri¬ buted in an especially accurate manner along the edge line and are securely sewed in a correspondingly accurate manner, so that one can ensure a uniform mesh form for the combined edge meshes, in order to make possible thereby a correspondingly accurate mesh course in the net or net arrangement besides. Hitherto it has been rather labour-demanding to securely sew such meshes so that one can ensure an accurate disposition for the meshes and an accurate secure sewing of each edge mesh. With the present invention the aim is to achieve an accurate mesh disposition by accurate secure sewing of each edge mesh in a wholly automatic manner to the associated edge line. The afore-mentioned can be achieved according to the invention by a process which is characterised in that each edge mesh in turn and order and separate¬ ly is gripped and secured in an accurately established position relative to the path of movement of the line as well as relative to the sewing machine, while the mesh corner associated with the edge mesh is securely sewed to the line. It has been shown according to the invention that an accurate engagement and an accurate securement of each edge mesh is totally decisive in obtaining the intended, accurate result. An apparatus for carrying out the process is characterised in that there is arranged just by the sewing machine, in an accurate established position relative to the sewing machine and the path of move¬ ment of the line, a gripping and holding arrangement which is moveable inwards and outwards from the path of movement of the edge meshes of the net line in order to engage and secure parts of the edge mesh and thereby fix mesh corners of the edge mesh in an accu¬ rate position relative to the sewing machine and at the same time relative to the line. It has been shown in practice that it is of substantial importance that each edge mesh can be fixed in an accurate manner relative to the sewing machine as well as to the line. In this connection it is decisive that the gripping and holding arrange¬ ment is arranged just by the sewing machine, that is to say tightly up to the latter, without thereby coming into conflict with the sewing machine and its cooperating parts, and at the same time so that the engaging parts of the gripping and holding arrange¬ ment can be moved unhindered inwards and outwards relative to the path of movement of the edge meshes. It is preferred that the gripping and holding arrangement is moveable in a region just by the path of movement of the line, in order to secure the edge mesh just by its mesh corner. Even if known mesh distribution wheels, as known from Norwegian Patent 139,831, can be employed for distributing the edge meshes in an accurate manner relative to an edge line and fix the edge mesh quite accurately relative to the edge line, such known mesh distribution wheels are not fully suffi¬ cient for the purpose, since they do not concretely grip and secure the outer corner edge of the edge mesh. The mesh corner of the edge mesh which surrounds the edge line can in certain instances obliquely draw the edge line laterally relative to the optimum line path during stretching out of the individual edge mesh and can in other instances, if it is guided more freely moveable on the edge line, be displaced in an inaccurate manner relative to the appointed fastening point on the edge line. It is preferred according to the invention that the gripping and holding arrangement comprises two clamps which are pivotable from an inactive position with the clamps arranged in an outwardly swung V-shape to an active clamp position with the clamps arranged in a swung together position and received each in its adjacent intermediate space with the neighbouring meshes and with the mesh members of the intermediate edge mesh received in the intermediate space between the clamps. By means of such pivotable clamps one can effect with a minimum need for space a simple and effective centering of the mesh corner of the edge mesh and at the same time a clamping together of the mesh members of the edge mesh at the mesh corner, so that one can fix the mesh corner rather accurately relative to the sewing machine. At the same time one can effect the clamping together of the mesh members of the edge mesh in such a way that the position of the edge line is fixed in an accurately established position relative to the sewing machine. In this way an especially accurate secure sewing of the mesh corner portion of the edge mesh can be effected with a relatively short seam line or with a group of short seam lines at accurately established positions on the edge line. In the instances where edge meshes of the net line are to be securely sewed simultaneously at oppo¬ site sides of the net line each to its respective edge line there is employed an apparatus aggregate which is characterised in that it comprises two apparatuses according to the invention, mounted laterally spaced from each other, with the net line arranged in a non-taut position between the gripping and holding arrangements, and that the gripping and holding arrangement is moveable in an intermediate space between the path of the line and a guide rail or guide plate extending parallel with this which supports parts of the edge meshes and at least parts of a neighbouring mesh disposed laterally inside. The two gripping and holding arrangements can be driven synchronously via a common control unit which can be operated by one and the same operator. By avoiding according to the invention stretching of the net line between the apparatuses one can ensure with a single operator an easier control of opposite edge portions of the net line, one not needing to pay particular attention to the breadth of the net line. That is to say one can work equally well with narrow net lines as with rather broad net lines. By con¬ trolling the net line with a guide rail or guide plate just by the edge meshes a single operator can visually control the edge meshes in an easy manner at the same time as one is independent of the side tension in the net line. The net line between the guide rails or the guide plates can be transported by means of an extra conveyor (transport mat) in an arbitrarily stretched out condition, preferably in step with the advance of the edge machine. It is preferred according to the invention that the guide rail or the guide plate from a level just by the path of movement of line slopes laterally down- wards and away from the path of movement of the line at an angle of 10-30 , preferably approximately 15 . By said disposition of the guide rail or the guide plate one ensures that the net line distributes itself in a favourably self-forming manner for the intended mesh shape over a considerable region along the path of movement of the edge line including the work region of the sewing machine. Further features of the invention will be evi¬ dent from the following description having regard to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows the arrangement according to the invention illustrated in a perspective view. Fig, 2 shows in a plan view certain details of the arrangement of Fig. 1. Fig, 3 and 4 show two phases of the centering of an edge mesh on an edge line. In Fig, 1 there is shown an aggregate of two separate apparatuses 10 for securely sewing a series of edge meshes 11 in a net line 12 associated edge line 13, that is to say an apparatus 10 for each side edge of the net line 12. By way of introduction there will only be described the one apparatus, since the second apparatus is designed in a corresponding manner. The apparatus 10 comprises a sewing machine 14 on an associated sewing machine board 15. The board 15 forms a guide for the edge line 13, the path of the edge line being aligned with the needle 14a of the sewing machine. The edge line 13 with the mesh : corners 11a of the edge meshes 11 securely sewed thereto is drawn intermittently forwards an accu- rately established length corresponding to the mesh division, by means of a drawing arrangement 16, which is placed behind the sewing machine 14 reckoned in the direction of movement of the line. At a suitable distance in front of the sewing machine 14 reckoned in the direction of movement of the edge line there is arranged a mesh distribution wheel 17, correspon¬ ding to the mesh distribution wheel which is illu¬ strated and described in Norwegian Patent Specifi¬ cation 139,831. The mesh distribution wheel provides for the stretching out of the edge meshes in the longitudinal direction of the net line with the desired degree of deposition (desired number of meshes distributed over a particular unit of length depending upon the shape of the mesh) . Provision is made for placing the mesh which is to be securely sewed to the line B relatively accurately at the work zone of the sewing machine by adjusting the tension between the drawing arrangement and the mesh distribution wheel. According to the invention provision is made for the mesh corner of the edge mesh to become gripped and secured in a centred, accurate manner relative to the sewing machine - longitudinally as well as side¬ ways - by means of a gripping and holding arrange¬ ment 18. The arrangement 18 comprises in the illu¬ strated embodiment (Fig. 2) two clamps 19, 20 which are adapted to be moved inwardly into and outwardly from the path ' of movement of the edge meshes past the sewing needle 14a of the sewing machine. At the same time the clamps 19, 20 are subjected to a pivotal movement. By this there is produced a centering of the mesh corner of the edge mesh rela¬ tive to the sewing needle 14a, that is to say a dis¬ placement or adjustment of the mesh corner along the line 13 in order to position the mesh corner with longitudinal accuracy relative to the sewing needle 14a. By pivoting the clamps 19, 20 together towards each other to a sufficient degree one can at the same time ensure a securement of the mesh parts at the mesh corner in an accurate manner relative to each other simultaneously as the mesh corner surrounds the edge line and is fixed longitudinally relative to the edge line in a correspondingly accurate manner and with simultaneous centering of the line relative to the work area of the sewing needle. By this the mesh corner can be localised accurately on the line and thereby a localisation of the mesh corner is obtained inside a relatively restricted area of the seam line or group 14b of seam lines (Fig. 2) of the sewing needle 14a so that there can be ob¬ tained an accurate and reliable fastening of the edge meshes on the associated edge line. As shown in Fig. 3 and 4, the clamps 19, 20 consist of two separate jaws which are pivotably mounted individually about a common pivot pin 21. The pivot pin 21 is moved sideways backwards and forwards (up and down on the drawing in Fig. 3 and 4) by means of a piston rod 22 in a compressed air cylinder 23, The clamps 19, 20 are led through a common guide slot 24 in a guide member 25 which is fixed in a regulat- - able manner to the board 15 of the sewing machine. The clamps can be moved unhindered upwards and down¬ wards through the control slot 24. Between each clamp 19, 20 and an associated fastening on the guide member 25 there is fixed a tension spring 26 which provides for pivoting the clamp laterally outwards in an arc about the pivot pin 21 by displacing the clamp upwards through the slot 24, The clamps can thereby assume an outwardly swung, V-shaped position. On drawing back the clamps through the slot 24 the tension spring 26 is relieved, and the clamp by means of a guiding edge in the slot 25 is forced back to a position clamped together towards the other clamp. Provision is made for the clamps in the out¬ wardly displaced position to be pivoted outwards to a level on the under side of the path of movement of the edge mesh, while in the inwardly displaced position the clamps are not drawn further inwards than that the outer ends can grip and secure the mesh parts of the edge mesh. In Fig. 3 there are shown openings 27 for the reception of the mesh parts at outer ends of the clamps 19, 20 in order to clamp firmly the mesh parts at one and the same level and level with the edge line. A solution is achieved which takes little space and which can be arranged rather tightly up to the edge line without coming into conflict with the sewing machine. Instead of the illustrated arrangement with a common slot for the two clamps there can be employed alternatively a slot for each clamp. The slot can be designed so that the clamp is forcibly controlled between the outwardly swung and swung-together position. By this there is avoided the use of tension springs. In Fig. 1 of the drawing there is shown an aggregate of two apparatuses which are mounted at a definite distance from each other. In the illustrated embodiment the net line extends stretched in the lateral direction, but in practice the distance can be that size that the line 12 extends unstretched in the lateral direction between the apparatuses even for relatively narrow net lines. By this one can handle net lines in one and the same aggregate of substantially different breadths, that is to say from quite narrow to rather broad net lines. There is shown along each apparatus a guide rail or guide plate 28 which supports the net line in a region laterally inside the path of movement of the edge line, that is to say the guide plate 28 extends in a horizontal direction in the region from the mesh distribution wheel 17 and a distance past the sewing machine 14 with a relatively narrow gap 29 for the reception of clamps 19, 20 of the arrangement 18 freel pivotable between board 15 of the sewing machine and the guide plate 28, The guide plate extends from a level approximately at the height of the path of movement of the line obliquely sideways inwardly and downward¬ ly at an angle of 10-30 and preferably approximately 15 . By means of the guide plate 28 - in corporation with the mesh distribution wheel 17 and the drawing arrangement 16 - there can be ensured a uniform distribution of the edge meshes 11 with homogeneous mesh formation in the whole region by the sewing machine, so that the gripping and holding arrangement 18 only requires moderate adjustment of the mesh corners of the individual edge mesh relative to the line and relative to the sewing machine needle 14a. In the region between the guide plates the net line can be advanced along a smooth guide chute (not shown further) or another suitable advancing means.

Claims: CLAIMS 1, Process for securely sewing net lines (12) to an edge line (13) , where edge meshes (11) of the net line are threaded into position on the line (13) and are drawn forwards intermittently by a common drawing arrangement (16) for line and net line, past a sewing machine (14) which securely sews the edge meshes separately to the line at localised positions on the line, while a mesh distribution wheel (17) stretches out edge meshes (11) of the net line in a desired distribution on the line (13) in front and by the sewing machine (14) reckoned in the direction of movement of the line and line and net line are secured by gripping and holding arrangements, charac¬ terised in that each edge mesh (11) in turn and order and separately is gripped and secured in an accurate¬ ly established position relative to the path of movement of the line as well as relative to the sewing machine, while the mesh corner (11a) associ¬ ated with the edge mesh is securely sewed to the line (13) . 2. Apparatus for carrying out the process accor¬ ding to claim 1, for securely sewing net lines (12) to an edge line (13) by means of a sewing machine (14) which reckoned in the direction of movement of the line is arranged in front of a common drawing arrangement (16) for line and net line in a sewed together condition and behind a mesh distribution wheel (17) for stretching out edge meshes (11) of the net line in a desired distribution on the line (13) and including gripping and holding arrangements in order to secure line and net line, characterised in that there is arranged just by the sewing machine (14) , in an accurately established position relative to the sewing machine and the path of movement of the line, a gripping and holding arrangement (18) which is moveable inwards and outwards from the path of movement of the edge meshes (11) of the net line (12) in order to engage and secure parts of the edge mesh and thereby fix mesh corners (11a) of the edge mesh in an accurate position relative to the sewing machine (14) and at the same time relative to the line (13) . 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, charac¬ terised in that the gripping and holding arrangement (18) is moveable in a region just by the path of movement of the line,in order to secure the edge mesh just by its mesh corner. 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the gripping and holding arrangement (18) comprises two clamps (19, 20) which are pivotable (at 21) from an inactive position with the clamps arranged in an outwardly swung V-shape to an active clamping position with the clamps arranged in a swung together position and received each in its adjacent intermediate space against the neighbouring meshes and with the mesh parts of the intermediate edge mesh (11) received in the intermediate space between the clamps. 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, charac¬ terised in that the clamps (18, 20) are displaceable through a guide slot (24) in a guide member (25) by means of a forwards and reverse-going power means (22), and that each clamp (19, 20) in addition is connected to the guide member by means of its respec¬ tive tension spring (26). which are adapted for forcible pivoting of the clamps in a direction from each other to an outwardly swung V-shape in an out¬ wardly displaced position, the guide slot being correspondingly adapted for forcible pivoting of the clamp members in a direction towards each other to a swung-together clamping position in the inwardly displaced position of the clamps. 6, Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, charac- terised in that the clamps (19, 20) are displaceable each through its respective guide slot in a guide member by means of a forwards and reverse-going power means (22) , the guide slots being adapted to forcibly guide its respective clamp in a combined axial move- ment and pivotal movement between an inwardly dis¬ placed and swung together position and an outwardly displaced and outwardly swung position. 7. Apparatus aggregate for simultaneous secure sewing of edge meshes (11) of a net line (12) at opposite sides of the net line to their respective edge line (13) according to the claims 2-6, charac¬ terised in that the aggregate comprises two sets of gripping and holding arrangements, mounted laterally spaced from each other, with the net line (12) arranged in an unstretched disposition between the gripping and holding arrangements, and that the gripping and holding arrangement (18) is moveable in an intermediate space between the path of the line (13) and a guide rail or guide plate extending parallel to this which supports parts of the edge meshes (11) and at least parts of a neighbouring mesh disposed laterally inside, 8. Apparatus aggregate in accordance with claim 7, characterised in that the guide rail or the guide plate slopes from a level just by the path of move- ment of the line (13) laterally downwards and away from the path of movement of the line at an angle of 10-30°C, preferably approximately 15° *

Inventors: PLATOU JAN H, PLATOU, JAN, H.
Applicants: PLATOU JAN H, PLATOU, JAN, H.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: D05B23
IPC codes: D05B23