Patent Publication Number: US-8985039-B2

Title: System for attachment of handles to mattress borders

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to systems for the manufacture of components for mattresses or other bedding articles, and in particular to a system for attaching handles to a border material for a mattress or other article of bedding wherein the handles can be attached in varying orientations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mattresses and other articles of bedding traditionally have been provided with handles attached along a side panel or border thereof. Such handles previously have been made from cords or rope materials, the ends of which are extended through grommets attached to the border material and stapled or otherwise secured within the mattress. In addition, mattress handles also have been made from strips of fabric that are folded and their ends sewn to the borders between upper and lower edges thereof. In the past, handle attachment procedures generally have been somewhat labor intensive, requiring an operator to secure grommets into the borders and thereafter insert and secure the ends of the handles through such grommets, and/or by requiring the operator to physically fold and sew the handles in desired positions along the borders. More recently, automated systems have been developed for automatically feeding a handle material from a roll, and thereafter cutting and sewing the handles onto a length of border material, substantially reducing the amount of labor required for attachment of the handles to their mattress borders. 
     In addition to changes in the way mattresses and other articles of bedding are made, consumer tastes or preferences regarding mattresses likewise have changed, leading to an increased consumer demand for more aesthetic and functional features on mattresses and other bedding articles. For example, higher end, more expensive mattresses having pillow tops, individual pocketed coil springs and aesthetic patterned designs sewn or applied along the borders and mattress tops have become much more desirable to consumers. The increased demand for customized patterns and/or aesthetic features has also extended to more functional features such as the handles for such mattresses. For example, some manufacturers are using custom embroidered handles that are designed to match the pattern of the border to which they are attached, and which consequently typically require individual placement of the handles on the borders at locations whereby the pattern of the handle aligns or matches with the pattern of the border. This also can include the use of vertical handles that are attached in a widthwise direction along the borders. Automated handle attachment systems are not, however, generally designed to accommodate varying attachments of handles to their borders, such as mounting the handles in different orientations other than a conventional horizontal arrangement, or otherwise positioned along the mattress border so as to permit formation of additional aesthetic or customized features along the border as well. 
     Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a system for attachment of handles to lengths of border materials for mattresses or other articles of bedding that addresses the foregoing and other related and unrelated problems in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly described, the present invention generally relates to a system for attaching handles to a length of material such as for forming a border for mattresses or other articles of bedding. The system of the present invention is adapted to enable accurate, consistent location and attachment of handles to their borders with the handles being selectively placed or positioned in different orientations. For example, the handles can be attached in a generally horizontal orientation extending substantially longitudinally along the length of the border to which they are attached, or can be oriented in a substantially vertical orientation, extending across the width or height of the border to which they are attached. 
     The system for attaching handles generally will include a frame or cabinet having a work surface supporting the operative elements thereof. A system control is provided, including an operator interface for enabling input of various operating parameters, such as sewing patterns and other programmed information for control of the system for attaching handles. A first or upstream adjustable material guide generally can be mounted along an upstream edge or portion of the work surface, with one or more adjustable guide rails or plates mounted thereon and defining a guide passage through which the length of border material will be fed along a path of travel into and through a sewing area. A second or downstream adjustable material guide also can be mounted along a downstream edge of the frame or cabinet, and can include movable guide rails or plates for receiving, supporting and feeding the border material with the handles attached thereto to a roll or other collection device. 
     First and second sewing heads generally are mounted along opposite sides of the sewing area. Each sewing head can be mounted on a movable carriage so as to enable one or both of the sewing heads to be moved with respect to the sewing area as needed for sewing different size or configuration handles, and/or for sewing the handles in different orientations with respect to the longitudinal length or axis of the border. The first and second sewing heads further can be moved independently and in different directions with respect to the sewing area; for example, the first sewing head can be moved laterally with respect to the sewing area, while the second sewing head can be moved longitudinally with respect to the sewing area. As a result, the sewing heads can be moved between a first position in which the sewing heads are positioned in a generally longitudinally spaced or staggered relationship or alignment along the sewing area, with the sewing needle of the second sewing head located downstream from the sewing needle of the first sewing head, and a second position in which the first and second sewing heads are located in a generally laterally spaced or unstaggered, substantially aligned or opposite facing relationship, with the sewing needles of both the first and second sewing heads being arranged laterally, on opposite sides of the sewing area. In their first position, the sewing heads can operate to attach the handles to the border material in a generally horizontally extending direction with respect to the longitudinal axis or length of the border material. In their second position, the sewing heads can operate to attach the handles to the border materials in a generally vertically extending orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis or length of the border material. Other positions of the sewing heads are also possible for attaching various handle configurations and orientations. 
     Each of the sewing heads also generally will include at least one sewing needle and a clamping mechanism operable to engage the handle and border material. Each clamping mechanism can include a first or primary clamp adapted to engage and hold the border material against a movable support or clamp plate, and a secondary clamp, which can be linked to or comprise the presser foot of its associated sewing head, for engaging and holding the handle against the border material for sewing. Each of the clamping mechanisms further can be mounted on movable clamp supports, such that the clamping mechanisms, when engaged with a handle and the border material, will move the handle and border material beneath the sewing needles of the sewing heads as the needles are reciprocated for attachment of the handles to their border materials. Each clamp mechanism also can include an edge guide, selected from one of a series of varying combination edge guides, mounted therealong by a series of releasable connectors, for guiding/locating one or more edges of the handles in a desired position for sewing to the border material. 
     Various features, advantages and aspects of the present invention further may be set forth or apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Moreover, it will be understood that the accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various aspects, advantages and benefits of the present disclosure, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, those schooled in the art will understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings, as discussed below, are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of the system for attaching handles to a border according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the system of  FIG. 1  for attaching handles to a border. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the system of  FIGS. 1-2  for attaching handles to a border. 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic illustration of the sewing area of the system for attaching handles to border materials shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , with the sewing heads aligned in a staggered position. 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic illustration of the sewing area of the system for attaching handles to border materials shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , with the sewing heads aligned in an aligned position. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the clamping mechanism surrounding a sewing needle of one of the sewing heads. 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  are plan views showing example embodiments of the edge guides. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts through the several views,  FIGS. 1-3  generally illustrate one example embodiment of a system  10  for attachment of handles H to a border B such as for a mattress or other article bedding, or for attachment or joining of other, similar textile articles. The present system further is adapted to enable the attachment of handles to border materials of varying widths or heights, and with the handles having a wide variety of different sizes and/or configurations, as well as accommodating the orientation of the handles in different, varying orientations with respect to a longitudinal axis  11  of the border B, as indicated in  FIGS. 3-4B . For example, the system  10  enables the attachment of the handles H in a substantially horizontal orientation extending generally lengthwise along the border B, including being attached or applied in a direction extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis  11  of the border. Alternatively, the handles can be reorientated in other, different orientations, including being arranged in a substantially vertical orientation extending substantially across the width or height of the border B in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the border. 
     The border materials B generally can be fed as a length of a fabric textile border material, either from a supply roll (not shown) or as a precut length of border material, and generally will be fed through the system  10  and into a sewing area  12  along a path of travel  13 , with the border B generally oriented in a lengthwise direction extending along its longitudinal axis  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The handles H similarly can be formed from a fabric or textile material, including being formed from the same or substantially the same material as the borders. Each handle also generally can be pre-formed, including having a cooperative pattern or design that matches or substantially matches the border to which it is applied. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the system  10  generally includes a frame  16 , here shown as a cabinet or enclosure having door  17  and substantially flat work surface  18  that supports the various operative elements of the system  10  for attaching the handles to the borders. A system control  20  generally is provided for controlling operation of the operative elements of the system  10 , including first and second sewing heads  21  and  22  and for monitoring the positioning or alignment of the handles and border and the first and second sewing heads  21  and  22  for attaching the handles to the border in differing orientations. The system control generally will include a processor or computer, typically housed within the frame or in cabinet  16 , and at least one user interface such as touch screens  23  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The touch screens enable the input of operational or programming information into the system control, and can provide display of the production or data of the system  10 . Emergency stop controls  24  and  26  also can be provided along the front of the frame or cabinet  16 , and adjacent each of the first and second sewing heads  21  and  22 , as indicated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As further illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the system control  20  also can include a foot pedal  27 , which can be placed in a position in front of the frame or cabinet  16 . The operator can engage the foot pedal once a handle has been placed in a sewing position along the border to initiate a sewing operation to attach the handle to the border. 
     As generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  B, each of the sewing heads  21  and  22  generally can include a conventional sewing machine having at least one sewing needle  31  that is reciprocated into out of the handle and border during a sewing operation to sew or otherwise attach the handles to their borders. Threads T ( FIG. 1 ) can be fed from thread supplies  32  to each of the needles for forming lines of stitches in the handle for attaching the handles to their borders. Each sewing head further generally will include a drive motor  33  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . In addition, the system control can be programmed to apply such lines of stitching in a programmed pattern. 
     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , each of the sewing heads  21  and  22  generally will be mounted upon a movable carriage  35  that is slideable or moveable along a series of guide tracks  36  for adjusting the position or location of the first and second sewing heads  21  and  22  with respect to the sewing area  13 . The sewing heads thus can be moved between a first position in which the sewing heads are positioned in a generally longitudinally spaced or staggered relationship or alignment along the sewing area, with the sewing needle of the second sewing head located downstream from the sewing needle of the first sewing head, and a second position in which the first and second sewing heads are located in a generally laterally spaced or unstaggered, substantially aligned or opposite facing relationship, with the sewing needles of both the first and second sewing heads being arranged laterally, on opposite sides of the sewing area. In their first position, the sewing heads can operate to attach the handles to the border in a horizontal orientation extending along the length of the border in the direction of the longitudinal axis or length of the border. In their second position, the sewing heads can operate to attach the handles to the border materials in a vertical orientation extending width-wise or generally perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis or length of the border material. Other positions of the sewing heads are also possible for attaching various handle configurations and orientations. 
     Each of the sewing heads generally can be independently movable, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , in at least one embodiment can be movable in different directions. For example, the carriage  35  of the left-hand or first sewing head  21  can be movable in a lateral direction in the direction of arrows  37  and  37 ′, so as to enable movement of the sewing head  21  and its drive motor  33  laterally with respect to the sewing area  12  and longitudinal axis  11  of the border B. A rule or scale  38  further can be positioned adjacent the carriage  35  of the sewing head  21  to provide a visual reference for positioning the sewing head  21  in a desired lateral position with respect to the sewing area and border. In similar fashion, the carriage  35  of the second or right-hand sewing head  22  can be movable in a longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrows  41  and  41 ′ in  FIG. 3  in order to move the sewing head  22  in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  11  or length of the border B to adjust the longitudinal position of the second sewing head  22  with respect to the sewing area  11 . Although not shown, a rule or scale similarly can be provided adjacent the carriage  35  for the second sewing head  22  to provide a visual reference as to the position of the second sewing head with respect to the sewing area and/or first sewing head, such as for the attachment of horizontally or vertically oriented handles. 
     Each of the carriages further generally can include a guide or control lever  42  having a locking button  43  or similar mechanism for engaging and disengaging a lock or catch mechanism for fixing each of the carriages, and thus the sewing heads  21 / 22 , in a desired position with respect to the sewing area as needed for sewing horizontally or vertically oriented handles. Additionally, sensors (not shown) can monitor the position of the carriages  35  of each of the first and second sewing heads  21  and  22  and provide feedback to the system control  20 . Thus, if, for example, the first and second sewing heads are positioned in their first, longitudinally spaced position or arrangement along the sewing area  11 , whereby the sewing needle of the second sewing head generally is located downstream from the sewing needle of the first sewing head, such as for attaching the handles into the border in a horizontal orientation, but the system control has been programmed for attaching the handles in a vertical orientation, an alert can be provided to advise the operator to an error or fault condition. The system control also can halt operation of the system  10  until the first and second sewing heads have been moved to their second or laterally spaced position, such as shown in  FIG. 4B , wherein the sewing heads are generally located in opposed, or substantially facing relationship on opposite sides of the sewing area to enable sewing of the handles in their vertical orientation with respect to the border. 
     As generally illustrated in FIGS.  1  and  4 A- 4 B, each of the sewing heads  21  and  22  further generally includes a clamping mechanism  50  which is operable by engagement of the foot pedal  27  and/or interface  23  of the system control in order to engage and clamp the handles and border together for sewing. Each of the clamping mechanisms  50  will be mounted beneath its respective sewing head  21 / 22  and generally is mounted on a movable support or clamp support  51 . The clamp supports  51  can include an X-Y table so as to facilitate movement of the clamp mechanism, and thus the handle and border clamped thereby, in X and Y directions with respect to the sewing needle  31  of each sewing head, as indicated by arrows  52 / 52 ′ and  53 / 53 ′ in  FIG. 5 . The X-Y tables of the clamp supports  51  generally can be driven by a motor or similar drive mechanism within the frame or cabinet under operation of the system control. 
     Each clamping mechanism further generally includes a laterally extending lower clamp plate  54  against which the border and handle be engaged during a clamping operation. A first or primary clamp  56  generally is positioned above the clamp plate  54  and is movable between a first, raised position and a second, lowered position, as indicated by arrows  57 / 57 ′ in  FIG. 4A  in order to move the first or primary clamp into and out of engagement with the border material B. Each primary clamp  56  generally can include a substantially L or C shaped clamp element or body, typically formed from a metal or similar nonstick or nonskid material, with a locating surface or edge  59  generally formed along at least one side or leg thereof. The body  58  of each primary clamp  56  generally will be connected by a bracket  61  to a pivoting linkage or arm  62  ( FIG. 4B ) for raising and lowering the primary clamp between its nonengaging and engaging positions. An actuator  63 , such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, solenoid or other actuator will be mounted to an opposite end of the linkage  62  and can be operable in response to engagement of the foot pedal  27  ( FIG. 2 ) by the operator to lower the primary clamp of each sewing head into its clamping position against the border. 
     Each of clamping mechanisms  50  also can include a secondary clamp  70 , which can include the presser foot of its sewing head  21 / 22 . As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B  and  5 , each of the secondary clamps  70  generally can include a substantially square or rectangularly shaped body  71 , defining an open space  72 , in which the sewing needle  31  of its respective sewing head is received. Each secondary clamp generally will be connected via a bracket  73  to a pivoting linkage or arm  74 , which can include the presser foot lift linkage of its associated sewing head. Movement of this linkage or arm causes movement of each secondary clamp between an engaged or nonengaging position and a lower, engaging position so as to clamp a portion (i.e., a corner or end—shown in phantom lines HE in  FIG. 5 ) of a handle H against the border B, as shown in  FIG. 5 , after the border has been engaged and held in a clamped position by the primary clamps  56 , for sewing of the handles to the border by the sewing needles of the sewing heads. The actuation of the secondary clamp likewise can be initiated by engagement of the foot pedal of the system control by the operator once the operator has properly positioned the handle along the border in a desired orientation or position along the border as needed for sewing. 
     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , handle edge guides  80  generally will be releasably mountable to each of the first or primary clamps  56  of each clamping mechanism  50  for the first and second sewing heads  21  and  22 . Example embodiments of edge guides  80  are shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     In a first embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the edge guides  80  can include or comprise substantially L, J or C-shaped bodies  81  here shown with a first elongated leg  82 , and a second, shorter leg  83  that extends at approximately a 90° angle with respect to the first leg  82  and terminates in a projection  84 , generally shown as extending substantially parallel to the first leg  82 . A guide recess or area  86  is thus defined between the first and second legs  82 / 83  and the projection  84  of the body  81 , with corresponding guide surfaces  88 A-C generally being formed therealong. The guide recess  86  is adapted to receive a corner or end portion HE ( FIG. 5 ) of a handle therein for substantially precisely locating the handle in a desired or necessary position for attachment to the border. The body  81  of edge guide  80  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 6A  further generally will include a locating or engagement surface or edge  89 , shown in  FIG. 6A  as extending along a substantially C-shaped recess. This locating surface  89  is adapted to engage the corresponding mating or locating surface  59  ( FIG. 5 ) of the primary clamp to which the edge guide is mounted for guiding the edge guide into a proper or desired alignment with respect to its primary clamp. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 6A , a series of releasable connector elements  91  can be mounted in spaced series along one of the legs, e.g., the first leg  82 , of the body  81  of the edge guides  80 . In one example embodiment, the releasable connectors  91  can comprise a series of magnetic connectors  92  for connecting the edge guides to the lower surfaces of their corresponding primary clamps of each of the clamping mechanisms. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that other releasable connectors also can be used. The use of the releasable connectors  91  enables quick detaching/attaching of the edge guides to their primary clamps, and further can help facilitate the location of the edge guides in a proper position along their respective primary clamps. For example, the use of the magnetic connectors  92 , in conjunction with the engagement between the locating surfaces of each of the edge guides and their respective primary clamps to which they are engaged can perform a substantially self-locating or aligning function whereby the edge guides will be easily brought into registration with their primary clamps without requiring substantial disassembly or other operations to mount the edge guides to the clamping mechanisms. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the edge guides  80 , generally including a substantially L-shaped body  95 . In this embodiment, the body  95  of the edge guide generally will include a first leg  96  and a second leg  97  extending at an angle, here shown as approximately 90°, although other angles also can be used, with respect to the first leg  96 . The legs  96  and  97  define a guide recess  98  having guide surfaces  99 A and  99 B formed along the first and second legs  96  and  97  of the body  95 . An end or corner of the handle can be received within the guide recess  98  with side edges thereof being engaged against the guide surfaces  99 A and  99 B for locating the corner end of the handle in a desired location for sewing. The body  95  of the present embodiment of an edge guide  80  further can include a corresponding locating surface  101 , that is adapted to engage and mate with the locating surface of a primary clamp of one of the clamping mechanisms, and further will generally include a series of releasable connectors  102 , such as magnetic connectors  103  or other, similar releasable connectors. 
     It will also be understood that the edge guides  80  shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  further can be formed in other, varying configurations and sizes in order to accommodate different configuration or size handles. In addition, the edge guides can be selected based upon the desired orientation in which the handle is to be attached. For example, edge guides as shown in  FIG. 6A  can be utilized for positioning or locating the ends of the handles in a desired horizontal orientation or position for attaching the handles in a horizontal alignment with respect to the longitudinal axis or length of the border, while the edge guides shown in  FIG. 6B  can be used for attachment of the handles in a vertical orientation with respect to the longitudinal length or axis of the border. The edge guides further can be located or positioned in different orientations along their respective or corresponding primary clamps as needed to help facilitate attachment of the handles in the desired orientation. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and  4 B, a material guide  105  can be mounted along the upstream edge of the frame or cabinet  16 , generally in front of the sewing area  12  of the system  10 . The material guide  105  generally will include an elongated plate  106  typically made from a metal such as steel or other non-stick, non-skid material and will have an upper guide surface  107  over which the border B is passed. The front edge  108  of the plate  106  further can be beveled or oriented at an angle to help guide the border onto and over the upper surface of the guide plate  106 . As additionally illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4B , side edge guides  109  will be mounted along the guide plate  106 , with one or both of the side edge guides generally being moveable with respect to the other side edge guide in order to define a passage or guide area  111  through which the border is directed as the border is fed along its path of travel  13  into the sewing area  12 . Each of the side edge guides  109  can include a substantially L or C-shaped plate that is slidably moveable along the upper surface  107  of the material guide plate  106  and can be fixed in place by a set screw  112  or similar locking mechanism. 
     As generally illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a downstream material guide  115  can be mounted adjacent the downstream or second sewing head  22 . The downstream material guide typically will have a construction similar to the upstream material guide, including an elongated plate  116  having an upper surface  117  and one or more movable side edge guides  118 . The downstream material edge guide will receive the border material therethrough after sewing for guiding the sewn border, with handles attached thereto, away from the system  10  for collection, such as on a supply roll or other collection means. 
     In operation of the system  10  for attaching handles H to a length of border material B, as indicated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the operator generally will adjust the position of the first and second sewing heads  21  and  22  along the sewing area  12  as needed for sewing the handles in either a substantially horizontal orientation extending along the lengthwise direction of the border, or for attachment of the handles in a substantially vertical orientation, extending widthwise or along the height of the border. For example, if the handles are to be attached to the border in a horizontal orientation, the first and second sewing heads can be moved to a first position wherein the sewing needles of the sewing heads are longitudinally spaced along the sewing area  12 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 . To move the sewing heads into this first position, the first or left-hand sewing head  21  can be moved laterally, while the second or right-hand side sewing head  22  can be moved longitudinally to place the sewing heads in a desired alignment and at a desired spacing for attaching a handle of a selected size and/or configuration to the border. In addition, the operator can further select and apply an edge guide generally corresponding to the shape or size/configuration of the handle to the clamping mechanisms  50  of the respective sewing heads. 
     Thereafter, the operator typically will feed a length of the border material B over the upstream material guide and through the sewing area  12 , with a desired length or amount of the border material being extended through the sewing area as needed to locate the area for placement of a handle thereon between the sewing heads. Once the border has been properly positioned, the operator can engage the foot pedal  27  ( FIG. 1 ) of the system control  20  to engage the primary clamps of the first and second sewing heads  21 / 22 . The primary clamps will clamp the border in place, after which the operator can then place the handle on the border, with at least one of the ends of the handle being placed against at least one of the edge guides attached to one of the primary clamps of the first and second sewing heads to locate or position the handle as needed for sewing it to the border. With the handle thus positioned along the border, the operator thereafter will engage the foot pedal of the system control a second time, whereupon the secondary clamps of each of the sewing heads will move into engagement to clamp the ends of the handle against the border and initiate a sewing operation. 
     The handle then can be substantially automatically sewn to the border by reciprocation of the sewing needles of the sewing heads into and out of the handle and border. The clamping mechanisms of each of the sewing heads can be moved in an X-Y fashion with respect to the sewing needles of the sewing heads such that the handle and border will be moved beneath the sewing needles as the sewing needles are reciprocated in order to form lines of stitching therein for attachment of the ends of the handle to the border. The respective clamping mechanisms of the first and second sewing heads generally will be moved in a substantially mirror or cooperative fashion for sewing or attachment of the handle ends to the border while the sewing heads themselves generally can remain in a substantially stationary position. After the ends of the handle have been sewn to the border, the system control will stop the sewing, cut the threads and release the border and handle from their clamped engagement. The operator can then continue feeding of the border through the sewing area, for example, by hand, or by engaging an automated feeder mechanism (not shown) to pull a desired amount of the border through the sewing area to a position for application of a next handle to the border. 
     In order to sew a handle in a different orientation, i.e., to sew a vertically oriented handle as opposed to a horizontally oriented handle, the operator will again adjust the positions of the first and second sewing heads with respect to each other so as to move the first and second sewing heads into a second position located substantially laterally spaced across the sewing area. For example, the first or left-hand sewing head can be moved laterally away from the sewing area into a desired position along its guide rule, while the second or right-hand sewing head can be moved forwardly into a position substantially aligned with and/or facing opposite the first sewing head, with the sewing needles of the sewing heads being separated across the sewing area by a desired spacing as needed to accommodate a selected size or length handle. In addition, the operator can replace or change out the edge guides attached to each of the primary clamps as needed to accommodate the different orientation and/or size handle. Thereafter, the sewing operation can be initiated as discussed above, with the border material being initially clamped in place after which the handle can be positioned along the border material and engaged by the secondary clamp of each sewing head, and a sewing operation commenced. 
     The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present invention. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-discussed construction of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as being illustrative, and not to be taken in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the present invention as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.