Patent GB-1123549-A (GB)
Title: Improved quilting machine
IPC: D05B11/00
Filed: 1967-01-31
Abstract: 1,123,549. Sewing machine. JAMES CASH MACHINE CO. 31 Jan., 1967 [1 Feb., 1966], No. 4764/67. Heading DIG. A quilting machine comprises a sewing head mounted on a cross frame, work-supporting carriage means underlying the sewing head, drive means for operating the sewing head and simultaneously moving the carriage in accordance with an endless pattern from a starting point to a finishing and stopping point, a needle-retraction member coupled to the sewing head drive and movable therewith from a needle-extended or fully-lowered position to a needle retracted or fully raised position, and means operative at the end of the sewing operation for actuating the needle-retraction means for moving the needle to the retracted or fully raised position. Columns 1 are interconnected by an upper frame 3 supporting one or more sewing heads 7 driven by a shaft 8 journalled in frame 3 and by a lower frame 2 supporting the looptakers associated with the heads 7 and driven, by a shaft 6 journalled in frame 2. A lower carriage 10, arranged for lateral movement, supports an upper carriage 11 arranged for longitudinal movement. A work holder, supported by carriage 11 for movement between the frames 2, 3, is adapted to be moved longitudinally, relative to carriage 10, by conveyor means 1 5 driven via a belt 17 from a reversible motor 16. An endless pattern 13, mounted on carriage 11, co-operates with a driven follower 28 mounted on frame 2. Frame 3 is pivoted about a horizontal axis, and is coupled by a connecting rod (22) to a crank disc (21) on, a shaft (20) driven by a motor 18, whereby frame 3 may be tilted from an operative position to an inoperative position in which a needle is raised clear of the work holder. A reversible main driving motor 24 is coupled by a belt 25 to a pulley journalled on shaft 6. Said pulley is coupled by a belt 26 to a shaft (27) driving follower 28. Said pulley is also coupled by a uni-directional clutch 36 to a friction clutch element 29A journalled on shaft 6. A second element 29B, splined to shaft 6, is normally spring-biassed into engagement with shaft 29A. Shaft 6 is coupled via belts 31, 32 to a shaft 33 journalled in frame 3, and shaft 33 is coupled by a belt 34 to shaft 8. The arrangement is such that shafts 6, 8 and (27) are driven when motor runs in the forward direction during the stitching operation, but only shaft (27) is driven when motor 24 runs in the reverse direction, upon completion of sewing, to return the work holder to its initial position. Shaft 33 is coupled to the crank shaft of an air compressor 39 having a piston 38 which is at its highest position when the needle is fully lowered, and which is at its lowest position when the needle is fully raised. The cylinder head of compressor 39 is connected to a valve 43 which is normally vented to atmosphere, whereby piston 38 is unloaded during the sewing operation. Valve 43 is connected via a normally closed valve 44 to a source 45 of compressed air. Valve 44 is automatically opened at the end of the sewing operation to apply pressure to valve 43 which is so constructed that the atmospheric vent is closed and air is admitted to compressor 39. Piston 38 is thereby driven to its lowermost position and the needle is fully raised. If piston 38 is near its uppermost position when stitching stops, application of air pressure will not depress the piston. In order to prevent subsequent damage to the needle under these conditions, a semi-circular disc 47D, fixed to shaft 8, is arranged to enter a slot in a magnet 47M when piston 38 is fully raised, whereby a switch is closed magnetically to prevent further operation of the apparatus until piston 38 is lowered by manipulation of a handwheel 50 on shaft 33. At the end of the sewing operation, and after frame 3 has been tilted upwards, conveyor 15 operates to shift the work holder rearwardly, thereby positioning the front edge of ithe work holder beneath the thread extending from the needle to the work. A knife (55) rotatably mounted on said front edge may then be actuated by a handle (58) to sever the thread.