Patent Publication Number: US-3874311-A

Title: Drapery sewing apparatus

Description:
United States Patent [191 Kenney 1 1 DRAPERY SEWING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Donald K. Kenney, 17739 La Rosa.  
 Fountain Valley. Calif. 92708 221 Filed: Nov. 19, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 416.934  
 Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 124.835. March 16.  
 1971. abandoned.  
 [52] U.S. Cl ..ll2/]2l.l4.112/l2].15.108/72 [51] Int. Cl D051) 3/04 {58] Field of Search 112/2. 121.14.121.15. 112/l2l.29. 3. 7; 108/69, 71. 72. 64, 77. 80. 81; 269/325 (56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 161.497 3/1875 Fa) 108/64 X 460.504 9/1891 Hunter 112/7 488.969 12/1892 Hunter 112/7 2.619.394 11/1952 Mahr 108/64 Apr. 1, 1975 2.855.877 10/1958 Whitehead 112/121.14 3.062.160 11/1962 Cash. Sr. et a1 112/3 R 3.167.041 1/1965 Briggs 112/121.14 3.204.590 9/1965 Rockerath et a1. ll2/l21.29 X 3.281.141 10/1966 Smiley et a1. 269/325 3.377.968 4/1968 Story 112/12114 3.400.674 9/1968 MCClintoCk 1 12/2 Primary E.raminerWerner H. Schroeder [57] ABSTRACT 12 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PH YEUAPR H95 SHEET 1 0f 5 INVENTOR. DONALD K.XNN&#39;Y BY X PATENTEU APR 1 W5 52m 2 or 5 INVENTOR.  
 Don/A w KXENNEY M MQA PATEHTEUAPR&#39; 11915 3,874,31 1  
  INVENTOR. 1301mm KKENMEY HTENTEDAPR Ham 3,874,231 1 saw u 0F 5 URAPERY SEWING APPARATUS This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending application Ser. No. D4335. filed March lo. 197 l. now abandoned BACKUROLND ()F THF. INVENTION In the sewing of various long pieces of material. it has been found that space is best utilized if the sewing machine moves relath e to the work table and the material. rather than moving the table and the material relative to the sewing machine. as is the practice in the usual sewing operations.  
  However. the drives for such traveling sewing machines. including the drive for the stitching mechanism and for propelling the carriage are quite complex.  
  When such a traveling sewing machine is utilized to sew the stiffening material. crinoline or buckram. to the edge of a drape. problems are encountered in the event that the traveling machine is not properly guided relative to the ork table and the edge of the drapery fabric to which the stiffening material is being applied. or if the machine travels at a rate incompatible with the stitching rate at which the sewing machine stitches.  
  If the precise ratio of stitching rate to sewing head traverse rate is established by a direct drive which is satisfactory under normal conditions of operation, problems are encountered periodically when changes in the drive ratio. even small changes. are caused by wear of the drive components. such as drive belts or chains. or by other variable conditions. such as different drapery fabrics. More particularly in this connection. certain fabrics require a different relationship be tween stitching rate and sewing machine traverse rate than other fabrics. For example. a coarse fabric may require a close. tight stitch as compared with a looser stitch which is necessary or desirable in the case ofccrtain lighter fabrics.  
  Alignment and leveling problems are encountered when the apparatus is disposed on a slab which is une\ en. since the table is large enough to accommodate large drapes and the supports for the table span a large base area. Likewise. the supporting rails for the traveling sewing machine are long and difficult to level and align with the table when the base is uneven and the rails are separately bedded.  
  Since drapes are made in a variety of lengths. the operator must. in the usual case. lean across the table and work at arms length in an inefficient and awkward manner.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a unitized drive mechanism which drives the stitcher head and effects trav ersing of the stitcher head relative to the work table is adapted to enable precise adjustment of the drive ratio as may be necessitated by different stitching requirements or different fabrics. by wear in the drive system or by any other variable conditions which allow the synchroniration of the composite drive to deviate from desired or necessary settings.  
  More particularly. the present invention provides the combination of a drapery sewing table and a railway or traveling sewing machine, wherein a piece of drapery fabric of a selected width and length is clamped at one of its edges constituting the bottom of the drapery. along one edge of the table. the other edge of the drapcry fabric being located along the opposite edge of the table. The sewing machine is adapted to travel parallel to the latter edge of the table and. typical of such machines. includes a stitcher head which has cutter means associated therewith. so that a strip of crinoline or buckram may be placed along the adjacent edge of the drapery fabric and be stitched to the latter. as the sewing machine traverses the length of the table. the cutter means simultaneously cutting the sch-age along a line parallel to the stitches and to the clamped bottom of the drape. &#39;l&#39;raverse of the sewing machine and operation of the sewing head and cutter means is caused by an electric motor which drives a sprocket engaged with a chain extended beneath the table. in fixed relation. and which also drives a sewing head drive shaft. so that the rate of sewing machine traverse and the rate of stitching by the stitcher head are related. ln order to adjust the ratio of the traverse rate to stitching rate. an infinitely variable change speed transmission is interposed in one of the drives so that the one drive is adjustable relative to the other. whereby to enable the establishment of a selected drive ratio or relationship between the traverse drive and the stitcher head drive which is satisfactory or desirable for the ordinary stitching operations. The change speed mechanism may be periodically adjusted to compensate for changes in the drive system occasioned by wear or to adapt the machine to sewing different stitches in different fabrics.  
  In addition to the foregoing. the apparatus enables the drapery fabric to be maintained in a square condition. due to the clamping of one edge of the fabric along an edge of the table. since the traveling sewing machine is guided in tracks which are disposed in paral lel relation to the adjacent edge of the table and to the clamped edge.  
  Apparatus according to the invention saves considerable space. as compared with prior drapery sewing apparatus of the type wherein the table moves relative to a fixed machine. ln addition. the stitching of the crinoline to the drapery fabric by the traveling sewing machine enables a worker to handle a substantially higher volume of work than is possible where other. conven tional methods of applying the crinoline are employed. such as a hot ironing method.  
  To facilitate application of the crinoline strip to the edge of the drapery fabric in location to be stitched. a roll of the strip crinoline is mounted on a support to re volve on an axis normal to the direction of travel of the sewing machine. and the crinoline is progressively pulled from the spool and guided into position beneath the pressure foot of the sewing head.  
  In one form of the apparatus. the sewing machine carriage is supported upon and travels along guide rails which are affixed to the floor or base of a building in parallel relation to the upper edge of the table along which the sewing machine travels. To avoid faulty operation of the apparatus. where the floor or base may be uneven. the table and rails should be leveled so as to avoid any substantial curvature or bending in the table or in the rails which would cause undesired variation in the preferred parallelism. lit a preferred form. the table structure is rigidly re-enforced to provide an integrated unit which will not bend when mounted upon an uneven surface. In addition. such a rigid supporting structure for the table has int grated therewith the traveling carriage supporting rails. including an upper constraining rail extending along the upper edge of the table and receiving anti-friction roller bearings carried by the carriage at spaced locations. a lower rail evtending along the lower edge area of the table and being engaged by load supporting rollers in the form of anti-friction bearing means supported on an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the line of the angular force applied to the carriage by the overhanging weight of the carriage and by an operator riding thereon. so as to effectively preclude side load with interferring with freedom of the bearings.  
  While in one form the table may be provided with a one piece table top. in the preferred form. the table top is composed of a number of transversely spaced stationary table top sections and hinged table leaves which enable the working space on the table top to be varied as desired for working on drapes of different lengths. To raise and lower the leaves of the table. operating means are provided so that the leaves can be operated from a remote location. The drapery fabric clamp can be shifted to selected positions of adjustment for work ing on drapes of different lengths and the table frame structure provides a WZIII\\\&#39;ZI when certain of the leaves are lowered to an inoperative position.  
  This invention possesses many other advantages. and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of the forms in which it may he embodied. These forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. They will now be described in detail. for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed descriptions are not to he taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS HG. l is a perspective, showing a drapery sewing apparatus made in accordance with the invention. with a portion of the table broken away. the traveling sewing machine being shown predominantly from the operie tor&#39;s side;  
  FIG. 2 is a perspective of the apparatus prcdoniinantly opposite to FIG. I;  
  FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail. showing the drive for causing traverse of the sewing machine;  
  FIG. 4 is an enlarged. fragmentary. vertical section. taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. showing the control mechanism;  
  FIG. 5 is an enlarged. fragmentary. vertical section. taken substantially on the line 55 of FIG. 2. showing the common drive to the traverse mechanism and the sewing mechanism;  
  FIG. 6 is an enlargd. fragmentary, vertical section, taken substantially on the line 66 of FIG. 2. showing a typical clamp:  
  FIG. 7 is an enlarged. fragmentary. vertical section. taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 2. showing the stitcher and cutter means;  
  FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing another form of drapery sewing apparatus made in ac cordance with the invention;  
  FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale and in \ertical section. as taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8. showing the base supporting means for the carriage;  
 ill  
  FIG. III is a fragmentary detail vein of an enlarged scale and in vertical section. as IZIhUII on the line l0 ll) of FIG. 8. showing the upper supporting means for the carriage.  
  FIG. I] is a \ertical section as taken on the line 11-11 of FIG.  
  FIG. 12 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale and in \ertical section. as talsen on the line I2---l2 of FIG. 8. showing the electric conductor assembly;  
  FIG. 13 is a hori7ontal section as taken on the line l3-l3 of FIG. 12: and  
  FIG. 14 is a transverse section showing the table base structure and the operating means for the table lcaves DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As seen in the drawings. referring first to FIGS. 1 and 7. the drapery sewing apparatus of the present invcn tion will be seen. in one form. to comprise a table A having an elongated. horizontally disposed top 10 sup ported on suitably spaced legs 11. Extending along the table top It) adjacent to one elongated side edge are clamping means. generally denoted at B. which are adapted to grip or hold an edge of a piece of drapery fabric, generally denoted at C.  
  The clamping means B. more particularly. is adapted to clamp what constitutes the bottom of the drape C in parallel relation to the other side or edge 12 of the table A. when the drapery fabric C is spread along the table top 10 with the selvage l3 hanging over the edge 12. Extending in parallel relation to the side or edge 12 of the table H) are guide means D adapted to support and guide a carriage. generally denoted at E. as it moves longitudinally of and parallel to the table top II) and more particularly. the side edge 12 of the table top.  
  Carried by the carriage E so as to traverse the table I0 are sewing means, generally denoted at F. adapted to stitch to the drapery fabric C a strip 14 of stiffening material. such as crinoline or buckram. a supply of which is provided by a roll 15 mounted on a spool 16 and disposed on an axis which is normal to the direction of the travel of the carriage E along the guide means D.  
  The carriage E also has motor means G adapted to drive a common drive means H which effects operation of the sewing means F as well as travel of the carriage E along the table A. as the reinforcing strip or crinoline I4 is stitched to the drapery fabric C and the selvagc I3 is severed from the drapery fabric. as will hereinafter he described.  
  The carriage E includes a top member 17 on which are disposed a suitable number of spools of sewing thread [8. the thread from which is guided through guide means I) and supplied to the sewing means F. as is customary. The carriage top I7 is supported on posts or legs 20. 2]. At the lower ends of the legs 20 are affixed horizontal angle irons or other supporting beams 22. beneath which are supported a number of wheels 23. Similarly. the lower ends of the legs 21 support a horizontal angle iron or beam 24 having a number of wheels 25. The wheels 23 and 25. respectively. engage base rails 26 and 27 which extend longitudinally and in parallel relation to the table A. In order to prevent Iatet&#39;al deviation in the movement of the carriage E. the wheels are preferably grooved. as at 25a. and the rail 27 has an upstanding T-shaped flange 27a adapted to engage in the grooves 251:. whereby movement of the carriage F. is constrained to a path which is parallel and uniformly spaced from the side or edge I2 of the work table A. and. thus. the sewing means F will move in a straight line. parallel to the table edge 12. to assure a straight row of stitches.  
  The other carriage supporting wheels 23. for convenience. may be plain rollers which ride in an inverted channel provided by the rail 26. since guiding of the carriage E may be sufficiently accomplished by the groo\ ed rollers and the guide rail 27.  
  Preferably. an operators platform 28 is provided. in the form of a plate. supported on the beams 22 and 24 and on rollers 29 and 30. respectively, which engage the rails 26 and 27. From this platform. an operator may. as will later he described. effect the simultaneous operation of the sewing machine F and traverse of the carriage along the rails 26 and 27 in a sewing direction.  
  The drapery clamping means B. by which the edge of the drapery fabric is clamped to the table top It). is adjustable so that the apparatus may accommodate different length drapes. Thus. as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. the clamping means includes a bar 3] which extends along the top of the table and has end pieces 32 ttlrned downwardly at the ends of the table and provided with clamping screws 33. .so that the bar 3I may be clamped in any desired position. say. with reference to a scale 34 suitably marked to designate the ultimate length of a drape at the bottom edge. The bar 3] is secured within an elongated rectangular housing 35 by fasteners 36. Extending outwardly from the housing 35. toward the other side I2 of the table top It) is a flange 37 on which the edge portion 38 of the drapery fabric C is clamped by a clamping strip 39.  
  The clamping strip 39 has a mnnber of vertical guide posts 40 secured thereto and extending upwardly and slidably through brackets 41 which are affixed to the housing 35 by fasteners 42 and project into overlying relation to the clamp strip 39. A coiled compression spring 43 is disposed about the upper end of each post 4&#34; and acts on the bracket 4] and on a spring seat 44 at the top of the post to normally bias the clamping strip 39 upwardly. Means to actuate the clamping strip 3) downwardly to a clamping position. as seen in FIG. 6. comprises a cam arm 45 fixed on a rock shaft 46 adjacent to each ofthe brackets 4I. the rock shaft extending through aligned openings in the brackets 4]. Each cam arm 45 is preferably provided with a roller 47 to reduce friction. and actuation of the cam arms 45 between clamping and released positions is accomplished by at least one lever 48 affixed to the rock shaft 46. Preferably. however. a number of levers 48 may be spaced along the rock shaft 46 so that an operator may close or open the clamping means from various locations. In the case of a table A of great length. separate clamping means B may be spaced along the table to enable gripping more than one drape.  
  To facilitate placement or spreading of a drapery fab ric. on the table top It). with the edge portion 38 stretched longitudinally beneath the calmping strip 39, with the clamping means open. a gripper rod 49 is vertically reciprocably carried by a bracket 50. at an end of the housing 35 and is spring loaded downwardly by a spring 51. The lower end of the rod extends downwardly past the clamping strip 39 so as to grip the corner of the fabric. enabling the edge 38 to be stretched longitudinally beneath the strip 39 before the latter is cammed downwardly to grip the fabric Referring to FIG. 7. it will be seen that the sewing means F includes the usual sewing or stitcher head 52 which effects reciprocation of the usual needle 53 to stitch the crinoline strip I4 to the drapery fabric (1 The head 52 also includes an oscillating cutter 53a which cooperates with the usual fixed knife 53b to sever the selvage l3 and the o\erlying edge of the stitched on crinoline l4. along a line parallel to the line of move ment of the carriage E. Further description or illustra tion of the sewing head is unnecessary since it is conventional. say. the Wilcox 84 Gibbs Type SI-LI-I I.  
  The crinoline is supplied from the spool I5 previously referred to. over a guide 54 having enlarged guide washers 55 for positioning the crinoline strip l-l on the drapery fabric. Preferably, the crinoline strip is pressed against the drapery fabric by a guide plate 56. so that the drapery fabric and the erinoline strip are presented to the stitcher in a flat condition.  
  As previously indicated. the sewing means F is driven by the motor means G. and the motor means simultaneously drives through the common drive H. the means for effecting traverse of the carriage E. at least in a stitching direction.  
  More particularly. the motor means (i preferably comprises a typical variable speed electric motorclutch assembly. the motor 57 being constantly driven by a source of electrical potential supplied by a cable 58 adapted to be suspended above the carriage by any suitable means. not shown. and connected to the motor. at the carriage, in a junction box 59.  
  A clutch assembly 60 is adapted to be actuated by a bell-crank 6] from a normally released condition to an engaged condition. as is well known. and the extent of downward movement of the free end of the bell-crank 6| determines the speed of the rotary motion transmitted to a motor output pulley 62 which drives a belt 63. This belt 63. as best seen in FIG. 5. is adapted to drive the input or drive pulley 64 of the sewing means F and the input or drive pulley 65 which is fixed on a traverse drive shaft 66.  
  As seen in FIG. 3. the traverse drive shaft 66 is mounted for rotation in a pair of spaced bearing blocks 67. 67 which are suitably mounted on a horizontally extended support plate 68. Also mounted on the support plate 68 is an infinitely variable change speed transmission 69 having an input shaft 70. coupled to the drive shaft 66 by a coupling 71. and an output shaft 72. coupled by a coupling 73 to a driven shaft 74. which is mounted for rotation in a pair of spaced bearing blocks 75. 75 carried by the plate 68. At the outer end of the driven shaft 74 is attached a driven member in the form of a sprocket 76. which is cngageable with a cooperative drive means in the form of a chain 77. the chain extending lengthwise beneath the work table A in a supporting channel 78 (See FIGS. I and 2).  
  As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. the plate 68. together with the components mounted thereon as just described, is mounted for pivotal movement on a pivot pin 79 located at the end of the plate 68 adjacent to the drive pulley 65, the pivot pin being carried by a structural member 80 forming part of the carria -c. The plate 68 is retained at its other end by a vertical strap 81 which is secured by a top block or spacer 82 and a bottom block or spacer 83 which are suitably connected to a vertical structural member 84 of the carriage. The  
 weight of the plate 68 and its attachments is sufficient to cause the drive sprocket 76 to drivingly engage the drive chain 77 under normal circumstances. but if desired. the plate may be biased downwardly b a spring In any ev eat. the carriage is caused to traverse the table A by the drive sprocket 76 which is driv en b the pulley 65. drive shaft 66. change speed transmission 69 and driven shaft 74. at a rate determined by the speed of the motor 57 and the drive ratio of the input and output shafts 70 and 72 of the variable transmission 69.  
  Thus. it is apparent that the relationship between the stitching rate. i.e.. the rate at which the motor 57 drives the stitcher head 52. and the traverse rate. i.e.. the rate at which the carriage travels along the guides D. is a function of the setting of the variable transmission 69. Thus. this transmission 69 has a speed or ratio adjuster 69a adapted to vary the drive ratio from the input shaft 70 to the output shaft 72. The details of the transmission are not essential and require no specific illustration. since various. standard. stcpless. variable speed drives are available. say the &#34;ZEROMAX&#34; variable speed drive of Zero-Max Industries. Inc.  
  Control or operating means are provided for causing operation of the apparatus. Thus. a foot pedal 85 may be pivoted on the platform 28 in a convenient location for the operator. to enable actuation of a chain 86 which operates the stitcher head 52 in the conventional manner to lift the head and enable starting of a stitching operation.  
  The operating means for effecting operation of the sewing means F and traverse ofthe carriage E includes a lever 87 having a handle 88 located conveniently for manual operation. This lever 87 is connected to a rockshaft 89 which is pivotally mounted between cars 90. 9i on the carriage legs 2&#34; and 2], respectively Projecting inwardly from the rock-shaft 89 to a location beneath the bell-crank lever 61 is a lever arm 92. to the free end of which is pivotally connected a link 93. the upper end of which extends slidably through the free end of the ball-crank 6 l, a nut 94 adjustable on the link 93 being adapted to effect downward movement of the bellcrank 6! when the link 93 is pulled downwardly by the lever arm 92. As previously indicated. such downward movement of the arm ofthe bell-crank 6] effects operation of the motor-clutch means G to cause operation of the sewing means F and traverse of the carriage E. by the drive means H. as previously described. in the sewing direction While a reversible drive is possible. say. by use of a variable transmission 69 which is reversible. the appa ratus. as herein disclosed. is adapted to be manually returned to a starting position. Thus. on the side of the carriage E. opposite the operator&#39;s platform 28. is a lever arm 95 having a handle 96. the lever 95 being connected to the rock shaft 89. This rock shaft 89 has a second lever arm 97 projecting downwardly and inwardly beneath the carriage (See FIG. 4) and pivotally connected to a link 98. the free end of the link 98 being opcratively connected to the plate 68. which supports the traverse drive means. including the sprocket 76. whereby the lever 95 may be actuated to elevate the sprocket 76 from engagement with the chain 77. the plate 68 pivoting about the pivot 79. so that the carriage is freed to coast to its starting position. The connection between the link 98 and the plate 68 is such that the link 98 is free to move downwardly with respect to the plate 68 when the traverse drive is operated. Thus. the plate 68. as seen in Fl(i. 4. has a bracket 99 affixed thereto and providing a horizontal abutment engageable by the upper end of the link 98. Preferably. also. the link 98 is held in position with respect to the bracket 99 by means of a tension spring 100 connected betneen the link 98 and a stationary frame component. such as the frame member 84 previously referred to.  
 ()PERA&#39;HON In the use of the apparatus to apply a crinoline strip to the edge of a drapery fabric. the fabric C is placed on the table 10. with the clamping means 8 released. The corner clamp or gripper rod 49 is used to locate a corner of the fabric beneath the clamp bar 39. and the edge 38 may then be stretched smoothly beneath the clamp bar 39. and a clamp lever 48 then actuated to cam the bar 39 into engagement with the drape edge 38. clamping the latter throughout its length. The fabric C may then be smoothly spread out on the table A with the selvage extending over the edge 12 ofthe table top 10.  
  The carriage E is then moved to a starting position, the crinoline strip [4 pulled from the spool 15. and the sewing head 52 actuated to a sewing position. as is well known. Thereupon. the operator standing on the platform 28. pulls the lever 88. in the direction of the arrows in F105. 1 and 2. resulting in the rocking of shaft 89 to pull downwardly on the motor operating bellcrank 61 through the lever 92 and link 93. thereby driving the belt 63 which simultaneously drives the stitchcr drive pulley 64 and the traverse drive pulley 65. Since the speed relationship between the stitching rate and the traverse rate is not determined by the pulleys 62. 64 and 65. but by the variable speed transmission 69. these pulleys may be. for simplicity. identical.  
  In any event. the carriage is caused to travel along the guide means D. in a course parallel to the edge l2 of the table A. at a rate. relative to the stitching rate. determined by adjustment of the transmission 69. if the fabric is being pulled by the stitching means. due to excessive traverse rate. the transmission 69 may be adjusted to produce a proper stitching rate to traverse rate ratio. so that the stitches are correctly formedv Conversely. if a more rapid traverse rate is necessary. the transmission 69 may be adjusted accordingly. Such adjustment not only allows for the establishment of a proper ratio of stitching rate to traverse rate for normal operations. but. also. enables adjusting the ratio to best accommodate different types and weights of fabric. as well as enabling compensation for wear in the drive components. such as the belt 63.  
  After a drapery fabric has had the crinoline strip 14 applied thereto. the fabric is removed from the table A and the carriage returned to the starting position. Return of the carriage is effected by the operator. by pulling on the lever 95. in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2. thereby rocking the shaft 89 in a direction to effect upward movement of the link 98 to pivot the plate 68 upwardly about the pivot pin 79 to raise the drive sprocket 76 from the chain 77. When upward movement of the plate 68 is stopped by the block 82. the carriage can then be manually pulled to the starting position.  
  Referring to the form of the invention as shown in FIGS. 8 through 14. the carriage E is mounted upon support means D modified so as to be integrated with the table A. as will be later described. More particurly. the table A has an upper carriage supporting cans including an upper track or rail I26 and a lower .IClx or rail I27 engaged by bearing means 12). I30. hereby the carriage F. is adapted to be driven longitunally of the table by the drive means H. as previously .scribed. which dri\es the drive pinion 76 in engage eat with the chain 77. The upper track I26 comprises i elongated channel member having a throat or openg I261! defined between vertically spaced flanges 26/) within which are confined vertically spaced rolrs l26tprmiding the bearing means I29. As best en in FIG. III. the rollers I26t are mounted on axles 26:! carried by a bracket 1260. which is in turn stipirted upon a post IZfij&#39; which is rigidly connected to .e carriage F. at its platform 28. Preferably. a pair of lch posts l26f and roller bearing supports are spaced ngitudinally of the carriage platform 28 for stability. he track I27 comprises an elongated angle iron I271: the apex of which is a circular rod 127/) engageable the bearing means I30. which. as best seen in FIG. is preferably in the form of a grooved roller mounted i an axle 1271&#39; which is supported in a bracket I27d an angle such that the load of the carriage E and any aerator standing on the platform 28 is imposed on the id I27!) without causing lateral binding ofthe grooved iller beaing I30. i.e.. the roller bearing I30 is sup- .irted on an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to ie line of the angular force applied to the carriage by re overhanging weight of the carriage and an operator iereon. Preferably. here again. a pair of roller bearings 30 are disposed on the carriage in spaced relation.  
  In this embodiment. in order to provide a source of ectricity for the electric drive motor for the drive ieans H. without necessitating an overhead trolley or ing conductor cables. conductor means 200 are proded extending longitudinally of the table A. compris lg a channel member 201 having therein. as seen in l(i. I2. upper and lower conductor strips 202 engageile by brushes 203. carried by a supporting member ll4. having rollers 205. which engage within the chali- :l member 2!&#34;. Ina manner not requiring illustration. inductor leads will extend from the brushes 203 to a nction box 2H6 suitably carried by the carriage frame. Furthermore. in this embodiment the table is shown a rigid integrated frame structure comprising upright ists or supports 2]] at longitudinally spaced locations elded or otherwise rigidly connected to longitudinally (tended base frame members 212 and transversely ex- :nded base frame members 213. Between the sides of ie table. the frame structure also includes additional :rtical rc-enforeing posts 2I4 in transversely spaced :lation. as well as additional longitudinal base frame iembers 215 to which the posts 214 are connected.  
  Between the inner vertical posts 214. the table is prodcd with leaves 216 and 217 hingedly connected at I8 and 2 I9 to a stationary table top section 220. adja- :nt the carriage F. and another stationary table top rction 221 which is spaced from the table top section 20 to provide a walkway W. as seen in FIG. I4. when ic leaves 216. 217 are intheir lowered position. Ex- -nding along the walkway W is a suitable plate 222 on hich an operator may walk. At the remote side of the iblc A from the carriage E. there is another foldable at 223. Accordingly. the table can be adjusted to prode a drapery work table of minimum length correionding to the table top section 220 or selected cater length when the leaves 216. 2l7 and 223 are selectively actuated to the upper or horizontal position. As is apparent from the first described embodiment. the clamping means 8 is adjustal&#39;ilc on the table so as to be lowered at any desired position to accommodate drapes of different lengths. depending which of the lca\cs is in the upper position.  
  In order to easily actuate the responsive leaves 2|(i. 117 or 223 to the upper or horizontal positions. the frame structure includes supporting brackets 224 at a suitable number of longitudinal spaced locations to which are pivotally connected fluid pressure operated cylinders 225 having actuator rods 226 pivotally connected to crank arms 227 which are in turn fixedly connected to longitudinally extended rock shafts 228. These rock shafts are suitably journallcd in the vertical posts and have rigidly connected thereto lever arms 229 which are pivotally connected at 230 at their free ends to links 23] which are in turn pivotally connected beneath the table leaves 216. 2I7 and 223. whereby when the rods 226 are extended from the actuator cyl inders 225. the leaves are actuated to their upper position. as shown in broken lines in FIG. 14. from their lowered position.  
  From the foregoing. it will be understood that the embodiment of FIGS. 8 through 14 affords improved versatility in terms of drapery size and ease of utili7ation by an operator. More particularly. however. the rigid frame structure beneath the table allows the table unit to be transported as a tmit and installed on the tloor of a building. without experiencing curvature or bending due to the inherent unevenness of the floor. without requiring leveling to compensate for such unevenness. In addition. since the carriage supporting rails are integrated with the table base structure. the parallelism of the carriage supporting means with respect to the table is also maintained without necessitating separate leveling or adjusting of the carriage supporting tracks with respect to the table. as may be required by the first described embodiment.  
 I claim: I. A drapery sewing machine apparatus comprising: a work table adapted to receive a length of drapery fabric in longitudinally extended flat relation.  
 clamping means disposed at and extending along one longitudinal side of said table for clamping one edge of the drapery fabric to hold it in parallel relation to the other side of said table;  
 traveling sewing means at the other longitudinal side of said table and including a stitcher head for sewing a strip of material to the adjacent edge of said drapery fabric:  
 guide means including rail means adjacent alid parallel to an edge of said other longitudinal side of said table;  
 motor means carried by said traveling sewing means.  
 first drive means to move said sewing means along said guide means. said first drive means including a drive shaft having a rotary drive member secured to one end for drivingly engaging a cooperative stationary drive member extending longitudinally of said guide means. a support for said drive shaft. means pivotally mounting said support on said traveling sewing means to allow movement of said ro tary drive member from a normal position at which it engages said stationary drive member to a release position at which it is disengaged from said stationary drive member. and means for pivoting said support from said normal position to said release ttflsi tion&#39;.  
 second dri\e means for dri\ing said stiteher head at a selected stitching rate;  
 a common dri\e connection hetw een said motor means and said first and second drive means to simultaneously mo\e said sewing means along said gtiide means and operate said stitcher head;  
 control means including a manually operable clutch means connecting said motor means to said com mon dri\e connection. said control means further including means for pivoting said support for said drive shaft to said release position when said clutch has disconnected said motor means from said com mon drive connection: and  
 an infinitely variable change speed transmission for one of said drive means, and means for varying said transmission for adjusting the relationship between the stitching rate of said stitcher head and the rate of movement of said sewing means along said guide means.  
 2. A drapery sewing machine apparatus comprising:  
 a work table adapted to recei\e a length of drapery fabric in longitudinally extended tiat relation:  
 clamping means disposed at and extending along one longitudinal side of said table for clamping one edge of the drapery fabric to hold it in parallel relation to the other side of said table;  
 traveling sewing means at the other longitudinal side of said table and including a stitcher head for sewing a strip of material to the adjacent edge of said drapery fabric;  
 guide means including rail means adjacent and parallel to an edge of said other longitudinal side of said table:  
 motor means carried by said traveling sewing means:  
 first drive means to move said sewing means along said guide means. said first drive means including a drive shaft having a rotary drive member secured to one end for drivingly engaging a cooperative stationary drive member extending longitudinally of said guide means, a support for said drive shaft, means pivotally mounting said support on said traveling sewing means to allow movement of said rotary drive member from a normal position at which it engages said stationary drive member to a release position at which it is disengaged from said station ary drive member. and means for pivoting said sup port from said normal position to said release position;  
 second drive means for dri\ing said stiteher head at a selected stitching rate;  
 a common drive connection between said motor means and a said first and second drive means to simultaneously move said sewing means along said guide means and operate said stitcher head.  
 control means for selectively engaging said motor means with said common dri\e connection: and  
 an infinitely variable change speed transmission for one of said drive means. and means for varying said transmission for adjusting the relationship between the stitching i&#39;ate of said stitcher head and the rate of movement of said sewing means along said guide Ill means.  
  3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said \ariable transmission is interposed in said first drive means between said common dri\e connection and said rotary drive member.  
  4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said guide means includes parallel rails located below said table for supporting said sewing means 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said stitcher head includes means for cutting the selvage from the stitched drapery fabric and strip of material.  
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:  
 means forming a support for a roll of said strip mate&#39; rial and for supporting said roll on an axis normal to the direction ofmmement of said sewing means. and  
 tensioning means for progressively guiding said strip of material from said roll into position along said adjacent edge of said drapery fabric as said sewing means travels along the length of said table.  
  7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said common drive connection comprises a motor output pulley on the shaft of said motor means and first and second input pulley means for said first and second drive means. respectively. and a single belt means traversing said pulleys.  
  8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control means includes a manually operable clutch for connecting said motor means to said common drive coir nection.  
  9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said control means further includes means for pivoting said support for said drive shaft to said release position when said eiutch has disconnected said motor means from said common drive connection.  
  It). Drapery sewing machine apparatus comprising: a work table adapted to receive a length of drapery fabric in longitudinally extended flat relation, said table having a base structure, clamping means disposed at one longitudinal side of said table for clamping one edge of the drapery fabric, traveling sewing means at the other longitudinal side of said table. guide means integrated with said table base structure and said sewing means for guiding said sewing means along said table. said sewing means including a stitcher head for sewing a strip of crinoline to the adjacent edge of said drapery fabric, and drive means for moving said sewing means along said guide means, said work table comprising trans versely spaced fixed table sections and leaves shiftable between upper positions forming a continuation of said table and lower inoperative positions.  
  I I. Drapery sewing machine apparatus as defined in claim [0. including actuator means for shifting said leaves from said inoperative positions to said upper positions.  
  l2. Drapery sewing machine apparatus as defined in claim It]. including actuator means for shifting said leaves from said inoperative positions to said upper positions. and said actuating means including fluid pres sure operated cylinder and rod means and link means