Patent GB-993691-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus and method for seaming hosiery blanks
IPC: D05B23/00
Filed: 1964-04-24
Abstract: 993,691. Sewing machines; turning inside out. SINGER CO. April 24, 1964 [April 26, 1963], No.17224/64. Headings D1G and D1X. The toes of circular knit hosiery blanks are closed by successively positioning a plurality of hosiery blanks in a serial arrangement or a work support by engaging each of the blanks along a line spaced from the desired seam line, moving the work support in a curved path of travel while cutting away the end portions of the blanks along the desired seam line and securing the same along the cut edge in a sewing machine, and releasing and removing the seamed blanks. The apparatus comprises a rectangular stand 21,the sides of which are closed by panels 26, and the top of which is parly closed by a cover panel 30. Across the open part of the top is disposed a couple of parallel bars 31 secured to the frame by bolts 32. Bars 31 slidably support a carriage 33 on which is mounted an overedge sewing machine 34 and from which depends a motor 41 driving the sewing machine by a belt 36. The carriage is held in a forward, operative position by a spring-biased pin 42. Hosiery blanks B are fed in succession to the sewing machine by a rotary device 106 for closing the toe portions by respective curved seams S. The sewing machine has a throat plate 44 with a downwardly-inclined leading portion 44a, and an inner edge 44b curved to the radius of the feeding device 106. The sewn work is supported by a plate 57 having an inner edge 57a curved to the radius of the feeding device 106. An opening 53 in the throat plate 44 is connected by a duct 55 to a vacuum pump 56 for removal of the trimmings. An aperture 58 in plate 57 is aligned with seam S and is connected by a duct 65 to the vacuum pump 56. The thread chain is thereby drawn into aperture 58 and is severed by a reciprocating blade 63 connected by a Bowden cable 72 to a lever 77 which is oscillated by cam lobes 78a on a disc 78 rotated by a motor 79. The feeding means 106 comprise a rotary plate 107 which is supported by a tubular structure comprising an upstanding vertical member 81 fixed to stand 21, an upper horizontal member 83, and a downwardly-extending vertical member 84. A fixed bar 86, coaxial with member 84, journals a hollow shaft 90 which is also journalled in bearings 91 within member 84. Shaft 90 is fixed at its lower end to plate 107 and is coupled by gears 93, 94 to a shaft 95 journalled in bearings 96 within member 83. Shaft 95 is driven by a chain 101 from a motor 104. Plate 107 is formed at its periphery with five chordal edges 112 each of which is joined by an edge 113 disposed at right angles thereto. Each edge 112 has a friction lining 114 to constitute one jaw of a work clamp. The other jaw is constituted by a member 115 which is pivoted at 116 to plate 107 adjacent the junction of edges 112, 113. Jaw 115 has an inner straight edge cooperating with the lining 114, and an outer edge which is curved to the radius of plate 107 and is concentric therewith when the jaw is closed. Jaw 115 comprises an upper plate 117, an intermediate plate 121 having a bevelled outer edge 121b, and a lower plate 120 of lesser radius than plate 117. An arm 120a projects inwardly from plate 120 and carries a downwardly-projecting pin 123. Associa ted with each arm 120a is a latch bar 124 which is pivoted at one end at 125 to the under surface of plate 107, has a bevelled face end 124a, a downwardly-projecting pin 126 adjacent edge 124a, and a V-shaped notch 124b in its inner edge. Bar 124 is biased inwardly by a spring 127 and is connected by a spring 131 to the arm 120a of the adjacent jaw 115, whereby the jaws 115 are biased to the closed position, and edge 124a is positioned adjacent the pin 123 of its associated closed jaw. A plate 132, fixed to the lower end of bar 86, carries an upstanding abutment 133 adapted to co-operate with a vertical surface on the pin 123 farthest from the sewing machine, whereby the associated jaw 115  is opened and the pin 123 is engaged with the notch 124b of the associated bar 124 for holding the jaw open. The work is then positioned between the jaws 114, 115 and jaw 115 may be closed manually. Alternatively, jaw 115 is closed automatically by the co-operation of the pin 126 on its associated latch bar 124 with an upstanding pin provided on a bar 135 fixed adjustably to plate 132. The feeding device 106 is used for closing the end of a tubular hosiery blank with a curved seam extending longitudinally under the foot position from toe to heel. In a modification, used for closing the end of a hosiery blank having fashioned gussets defining a toe pocket, the seam extruding transversely of the foot portion, the feeding device comprises a pair of spaced-apart circular plates between which are pivoted arcuate clamping arms, the respective radii of which are substantially equal to that of the plates. The machine is provided with a shelf for supporting a bundle of hosiery blanks, the toe ends of which are to be closed in succession. The completed stockings may be turned insideout by the means shown in Fig. 14. A circular plate 151 coaxial with and rotatable at the same speed as the plate 107, carries five vertical tubular inspection forms 165 over which the stocking blanks B to be closed are drawn, plate 151 being apertured at the base of each form 165. Plate 151 rests on, and is in sliding engagement with, a fixed housing 170 formed in its upper wall with an aperture 171 normally closed by a slidable, inwardly spring-biased plate 172. Housing 170 is connected by a duct 195 to the vacuum pump 56. When a form 165, carrying a sewn blank, becomes aligned with aperture 171, a cam lobe 190 on plate 151 closes a micro-switch 186 to energize a solenoid 185, whereby the armature 184 of the latter actuates a lever 177 to shift plate 172 outwardly for uncovering aperture 171. The sewn blank is thereby sucked toe-first through the form 165 and is conveyed through duct 195.