Patent GB-1416904-A (GB)
Title: Fabric layering machines
IPC: A41H43/00
Filed: 1973-01-30
Abstract: 1416904 Laying fabric G STUMPF 30 Jan 1973 [16 Nov 1972] 4701/73 Heading D1S A fabric laying machine 1 for reciprocation over a laying surface 23 of a table 2 comprises a delivery roller 12 rotatably carried by the machine frame to lie transversely of, and above the surface 23 and drive means operable to rotate the roller 12 to pull fabric 9 from a supply 8 and to deliver it onto the surface 23, an outer fabric-gripping part 34 of the roller 12 being constrained to rotate with a core part 27 of the roller 12, but being axially movable relative to the core part 27 to cause, during use, the fabric leaving the roller 12 to be displaced transversely of the surface 23. As shown in Fig 1, the machine 1 runs on wheels 4 along tracks 3 of the table 2. A device 6 for supporting a fabric roll 8 runs on wheels 7 along rails 25, Fig. 2, extending transversely of the table 2. The fabric 9 passes from the roll 8 and over guide rollers 10, 11 to the roller 12 which is driven by a belt 30 at such a speed that the fabric is deposited without tension and without creasing on the surface 23. A cutting device 13 is adjustable vertically on rails 50 by a handwheel 15 and a chain 14 and comprises a rotary disc cutter 16 movable transversely of the table 2. An eccentrically mounted cutter protecting tube 17 is provided with a slot facing the disc 16 and is movable towards and aways therefrom by a handle 18. When the machine 1 has reached the left hand end, Fig. 1, of the surface 23, the tube 17 is pivoted towards the discs 16 and the disc 16 is moved transversely of the table to sever the fabric 9. To prevent the machine 1 from depositing fabric on the return run thereof, a clutch 20 can be operated by a handle 21. A rotary handle 22 is provided to adjust the speed of the machine 1. An accompanying platform 24 for an operator is provided. The roller 12, Fig. 2, comprises a rotatable, but axially fixed, core part 27 upon which the part 34, in the form of a shell, is mounted. An outwardly extending drive dog 28 on the part 27 engages in an axial groove 29 in the part 34. An elongate thin shadow projector 31 and a lamp 33 are mounted on an arm 32 on the device 13 to produce a shadow on the fabric 9 which has stripes 48. If there is any transverse offset of the stripes 48, the operator can, by operation of controls on a panel 19 displace the part 34 relative to the part 27 to rectify the offset condition. In one embodiment, Fig. 3, when a motor 35, operable from the panel 19, is run, a driving element 39 is moved along a threaded spindle 38 and, by engagement of a slot 51 on the element 39 with a flange 40 on the part 34, moves the part 34 axially of the part 27. A fixed guide 41 is received in a slot 52 in the element 39 to prevent rotation of the element 39 with the spindle 38. In another embodiment, Fig. 4, when a motor (not shown) turns a gear 42, a rack 43 is moved in a longitudinal guide 47 to displace the part 34 by freely rotatable wheels 44, 45 on the rack engaging a flange 40 on the part 34. In a further embodiment, the machine 1 is provided with an electro-optical sensing device 46, Fig. 1, to sense the longitudinal edge or a strip 48 of the fabric 9 and, in the event of any lateral deviation, to displace the part 34. Alternatively, the sensing device may be positioned between the device 6 and the roller 12. In a modification (not shown), the shell part 34 comprises a drive dog which engages with an axial groove of the core part 27. The device 6 may be moved transversely of the table 2 independently of or in synchronism with the movement of the roller 12 to correct any deviations in the fabric path.