A New or Improved Fabric Tufting Machine.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1899-Accepted, 1st July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Fabric Tufting Machine.
I, JAMES THOMAS ROBERTS, of Anderson, County of Anderson. and State of
North Carolina, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement;-
-
This invention relates to fabric tufting machines of the class which are operated
by hand and comprise similar parts, having sliding connection, and disposed so
as to have a reciprocating movement when in operation, one of the parts or
members carrying a needle, and the other a holder or check, to prevent the with-
drawal of the thread, after the loop has been formed.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a joint between the parts
or sections of a machine, which will direct them in their reciprocating move-
ment, and prevent their separation when in operation, and which will admit of
the movement being regulated, so as to vary the length of the loop, according
to the thickness of the goods or pile being operated upon.
For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the invention, reference
is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the following description.
The improvement is susceptible of various changes in the form, proportion and
the minor details of construction, without departing from the principle or sacri-
ficing any of the advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of the invention,
an adaptation thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is an elevation of a tufting machine constructed in accordance with
this invention, one of the parts or sections being broken away, disclosing the
rib and slot joint.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the machine, the parts being separated and
showing the means for varying the relative reciprocating movement.
Figure 3 is a transverse section.
Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and
indicated in the several views of the drawing by the same reference characters.
The machine is composed of similar parts, halves or sections 1, which are
placed with their inner edges together and are expanded at their rear ends, form-
ing grips for convenience and ease in handling when in operation, the front ends
of the parts being contracted to present a pleasing and graceful appearance. One
of the parts or sections is provided with longitudinal slots 2, which are undercut
at their front ends and provided with recesses 3, at their rear ends. The other
part is provided with ribs 4, which are inclined at their front ends to enter the
undercut ends of the slots 2, and are formed with rear extensions 5 to enter the
recesses 3 and prevent a separation of the sections or parts 1 when at the limit
of their rearward movement. The ribs 4 have longitudinal slots 6, and a pin 7
or other suitable fastening device passing transversely through the slots 2 and
the slots 6, holds the parts 1 together at all times. When the part provided with
the rib 4 is at the limit of its forward movement, the inclined or beveled ends of
the ribs interlock with the undercut ends of the slots 2 and prevent any outward
displacement of the parts, and relieve the pin 7, in a great measure, of any strain
tending to separate the parts.

page_text: The needle 8 may be applied to either one of the parts, and as shown, has
adjustable connection with the part carrying the ribs 4, which will be desig-
nated as the needle section part or half. By having the needle adjustably
connected with the machine the length of the loop may be regulated according
to the thickness of the fabric, goods or cloth to be embroidered. The loop
holder 9 is fitted to the opposite or checking section in such a manner as to be
shifted in accordance with the needle with which it cooperates.
In order to vary the reciprocating movements of the parts, both of the ribs 5
or but one of them may be provided with a series of openings 10, in any one of
which is adapted to be fitted a pin 11, the latter extending across the slot 6 and
the path of the pin 7, so as to engage with the latter and limit the sliding move-
ment as set forth.
It is proposed to make the machine in different sizes and of materials vary-
ing in nature, kind and quality, according to the finish and character of the
machine, which may be plain or ornamented, as desired.
The ribs 4 are provided at their outer sides with lugs or enlargements 4", and
the slots 2 have their outer walls undercut at 2 and recessed at 2b, the recesses
forming entrances to permit the lugs or enlargements 4", to be introduced into
the slot 2. The laterally extending lugs or enlargements 2, and the overhang-
ing portions or walls of the slots 2, increase the strength and durability of the
slot and rib joint or connection, between the sections or parts 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a fabric tufting implement, the members or parts slidably related, one
member having the longitudinal groove 2 at its inner edge with the undercut
terminals, a projecting rib 4 fast with the inner edge of the other member and
having the prolonged ends arranged to fit the undercut terminals of the groove 2,
the length of said rib being less than the groove and the width of the rib corre-
sponding nearly to the depth of the groove to guide the members in their slidable
movement and house the rib 4 entirely within the grooved member, and stop
devices to limit the strain of the members or parts, whereby the prolonged ends
of the rib are adapted to enter the undercut ends of the groove at the limit of
the movement of the members in either direction, substantially as described.
2. In a fabric tufting machine, the combination of parts slidably related, one
of the parts having a longitudinal slot or groove, and the other formed with a longi-
tudinally slotted rib to enter and reciprocate in the aforesaid longitudinal groove
or slot, a pin passing transversely through the slotted or grooved part and the
slot of the rib, and another pin adapted to enter one of a series of openings in
the rib and engage with the first mentioned pin and limit the relative sliding
movement of the parts, substantially as described.
3. In a fabric tufting machine, the combination of the parts slidably related,
one part having longitudinal slots undercut at their side walls to provide over-
hanging portions and recessed thereat, and the other part being provided with
longitudinal ribs having lateral enlargements or lugs at their outer sides to
engage with the said overhanging portions, and stop devices, substantially as
described.