Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
11;~332S
This invention relates to an apparatus for feeding a ladder of slide
fastener el~ments past the needle of a sewing machine in timed sequence with a
reciprocating needle of the sewing machine to permit the direct attachment of
the slide fastener elements to the fabric of a garment.
In particular, the invention relates to apparatus of the type
including a reciprocable blade which is engageable between adjacent fastener
elements of a line of such fastener elements constituting the ladder and a
linkage driven by the sewing machine for reciprocating the blade in a continuous
path to index the fastener elements through the sewing machine simultaneously
with and in timed se~uence with reciprocation of the needle.
In a prior app æ atus of this type it has been proposed that the
reciprocable indexin~ blade also perform the function of a cutter, which can be
selectively actuated to sever connecting cords of the ladder of fastener
elements on the completion of the sewing of a selected number of elements to
the fabric.
While not limited thereto, the invention of the present application
finds particul æ application in the sewing to fabric of a slide fastener of
the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,414,948, that slide fastener comprising two
ladders of interfitting fastener elements of generally U-shaped configuration,
which æ e held in uniform spaced relation by a pair of connecting cords buried
respectively in the ends of the two legs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
apparatus of the type referred to above and which is capable of operation at
high speeds over p~otracted periods of time.
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus
for sewing a ladder of slide fastener elements directly to the fabric of a
garment or th~e like, the ladder comprising plastic U-shaped fastener elements
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each comprising a pair of legs and a central bight! the elements being
connected and held in spaced relation by a plurality of oonnecting cords at
least one of which is embedded in each of the legs of the successive elements,
the apparatus comprising (a) a sewing machine having a vertically reciprocating
needle adapted to engage work at a sewing station and a wDrk-supporting platform
above which a needle reciprocates; (b) a pressing foot adapted to guide and
present the fabric and the ladder in the desired relation to the needle at the
sewing station; (c) a feed blade and cutter blade assembly including a feed
blade and a cutter blade, a base member and means attaching the cutter blade
rigidly thereto adjacent the pressing f.oot and means attaching the feed blade
resiliently to the base memker and generally aligned with and parallel to the
cutter blade; (d) drive means for driving the feed blade and cutter blade and
a portion of the base mem~er there adjacent in an up-and-down and back-and-forth
rectangular pattern of motion so that the feed blade engages successive
fastener elements and moves the ladder step-by-step fashion to the sewing
station; and (el means for momentarily restricting the back-and-~orth mcvement
of the base member thereby terminating the feed, and for depressing the base
member adjacent the blades below the usual lower limit of up-and-down travel so
that the feed blade yields as it engages the connecting cords but the cutt~r
blade moves downward and severs the connecting cords.
The following is a description by way of example of an embcdiment of
the present invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in
which:
~1333~5
Figure LA is an enlarged view transverse of a line of fastener
elements with which the invention is adapted to be used;
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the invention
attached to a conventional sewing machine,
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a rear view of the apparatus with a cylinder and an upper
part of an end plate of the apparatus broken away to save drawing spa oe;
Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged front view of the sewing station of
the machine;
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken on the line 7-7
of Figure 15;
Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line
8-8 of Figure 4 with a portion of a feed and cutter assembly and a presser foot
shown broken away to show interior constructic,n;
Figure 8a is a front view of Figure 8 showing feed and cutter blades
of the feed and cutter assembly elevated above the fastener elements;
Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing the feed and cutter
assembly with its front end downward to engage fastener elements in the line;
Figure 9a is a view similar to Figure 8a but showing the feed blade
engaging the line of fastener elements. The left portion of the feed blade is
shown broken away to shcw the cutting blade;
Figure 10 is comparable to Figures 8 and 9 but shows the feed and
cutting assembly drawn rearward to the end of its
~133325
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stroke and a depressor bar pushing the front end of the feed
and cutter assembly downward for the cutter blade to sever
the connecting cords of the line of fastener elements;
Fig. lOa is comparable to Fig. 9a but shows the cutter
blade actually cutting the connecting cords;
Fig. 11 is a greatly enlarged view of the encircled
portion of Fig. 9 showing the feed blade engaged between
adjacent fastener elements in a line of fastener elements;
Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line
12-12 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 13 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view
taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken
on the line 14-14 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line
15-15 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of
Fig. 2;
Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded view in per-
spective of the front end of the feed and cutter assembly;
Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on the line 18-18 of
Fig. 6; and
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the sewing foot with
the feed and cutter assembly and mounting block removed.
To assist in understanding the apparatus of the invention,
the structure of the fastener elements with which the appara-
tus of the invention is useful will first be explained. The
slide fastener involved comprises two ladders or lines of
interfitting fastener elements, a representative element of
which is designated generally E in Fig. A. It comprises
legs L joined by a central bight B having an enlarged head H.
The outer portions of the legs are formed with notches
for reasons which will appear. The individual elements
are held in uniform spaced relation by a pair of connect-
ing cords C buried respectively in the ends of the legs.
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An apparatus embodying the invention is generally desiynated
10 in Fig. 1, and is shown attached to a conventional in-
dustrial sewing machine 12 having needles 14 at the lower
end of needle bars (not shown). A bed or support platform
18 is provided, under which are disposed the conventional
mechanism including the bobbin assembly and means to inter-
connect the bobbin and main threads and feed the fabric as
the sewing progresses.
A special foot 20 is provided which holds down the fabric F
being worked on against -the bed or platform 18. S-trip feed
tubes 21 supported by means not shown deliver strips to the
foot.
An end plate 22 of the apparatus of the present invention
replaces the conventional end plate of the sewing machine
12 and is secured as by bolts to the frame of the sewing
machine. The end plate 22 has an upward projection 22a.
An end of a drive shaft 24 is journaled in the plate for ro-
tation. The shaft 24 is driven by the motor of the sewingmachine so that its rotation is in timed relation to the
reciprocation of the needles 14. The foot 20 is mounted on
the lower end of a foot shaft 26 (Fig. 3), which is urged
downwardly by an adjustable spring 27 and held for vertical
reciprocation within the bearing 29 in conventional fashion.
It is operated by the sewing machine upon actuation of con-
trols, not shown. It is shown in the down position in Fig.
2 but may rise on actuation to permit passage of the fabric
without interference.
Referring more specifically to the foot 20, it comprises
a mounting block 28 of inverted "T" shape (Fig. 5). The
block 28 is vertically apertured to receive the bottom of
the foot shaft 26 and a set screw 30 is provided to hold
the two in proper relation. Secured by bolts to the oppo-
site side of the outward flanges 32 of the block 28 is the
. . , . ~
.
325
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.
inverted channel block 34 which supports bottom plates
36, 37, 38. I'his structure provides an opening 39 which
permits the passage of the head of a feed and cutter assem-
bly 40 (Fig. 7).
As shown in Figs. 1, 18 and 19, the sides of the forward
end of the channel element 34 are formed with tapered for-
ward wings 34a and 34b. These wings help support the outer
bottom plates or runners 36 and 3g (Figs. 5, 6 and 7). A
central bottom plate 37 as well as the outer plates are
secured by bolts as shown to the inverted channel block 34.
The central portion 35 (Figs. 18 and 19) of the inverted
channel block 34 extends forward, is raised as at 35a and is
stepped downward to present a notch 42 (Fiy. 6) running trans-
verse thereof.
As best shown in Figs. 6 and 19, the side bottom plates36 and 38 are spaced from the central bottom plate 37 to
provide channels 44 and 46, respectively. As shown, the in-
verted channel block 34 (Fig. 7~ is notched out at 48 and 50in line with the channels 44 and 46 for clearance purposes.
The channels 44 and 46 are each defined by a pair of offset
flanges 52a and 52b and 54a and 54b, respectively, which en-
gage in notches N (Fig. A) of the individual slide fastener
- 25 element to help support them as they travel through the foot
20.
The lines of fasteners are additionally supported by a wire
guide 60 (Figs. 5, 6) which is of generally "U" shape, hav-
ing a central bight 60a with a bend 60b engaged by the headof a bolt 62 to hold it in the notch 42 on the channel block.
The guide at the ends of the bight turns downward as at 60c
into the channels 44 and 46 and terminates in rearward runs
60d which are disposed between the flanges 52a and 52b, and
54a and 54b, respectively.
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As the lines of slide fastener elemen~s move through the foot
20, the wire guide 60 serves to assure that the "U"-shaped
elements are sufficiently spread and properly angled as
they approach the sewing station (see X in Fig. 6). The
rear ends of the run 60d provide a kind of ratchet effect
to avoid any forward movement of the lines of fastener ele-
ments as the feed and cutter assembly moves forward.
Referring more specifically to the feed and cutter assem-
bly 40, its Eorward end includes a base plate 70 supported
above the bottom of the central section or web of the in-
verted channel block. To the rear end of the base plate
70 are secured a pair of vertically disposed side plates
72 (Fig. 8) held in spaced relation by a spacer element 74.
The forward ends of the side plates 72 are tapered, as shown
in Fig. 8, where they are integral with the base plate 70.
A spring strip 76 overlies the base plate 70 and has its
rearward end secured thereto by a bolt 78 (Fig. 7). Its
forward end extends beyond the end of the plate 70.
The front end of plate 70 is provided with a pair of spaced
pins 80, 82 (Figs. 6, 17) which extend forwardly as shown.
The pins are received into ample openings 84 in a flat inver-
ted "U"-shaped cutter blade 86 having a downward "V"-shaped
cutter 88 on either end thereof. Note central aperture 90.
A feed or indexing blade 92 is similarly flat and inverted
"U"-shaped and is formed with a pair of downward-facing not-
ches 94, the feed blade being thinned at both of its lower
ends at 96 and shaped at the downward ends with cut-outs 98,
each cut-out having a central tongue 100. Note central aper-
ture 102.
A clamp pla-te 110, also of inverted "U" shape, is provided
- with central opening 111 and apertures 112 (Fig. 17) which
receive the ends of the pins 80, 82 after they pass through
the openings 84, 94 in the cutter and feed blades. The plate
11~33~S
110 has a rearward spacer 113 about opening 111. A bolt
114 extends throuyh central openings 111, 102, and 90 and
fits into a tapped opening 116 in the base plate 70 to hold
the assembl~ together. Spacer 113 extends through the aper~
ture 102 in the feed blade 92 and tightly engages cutter
blade 86 (Fig. 18). The spacer 113 is thicker than feed
blade 92, and thus permits feed blade 92 to move vertically
with respect to the spacer.
As best shown in Fig. 5, the feed blade 92 is urged downward-
ly by the spring 76, and is normally positioned with the upper
ends of the notches 94 abutting against the pins 80, 82.
The spring strip 76 yields upon upward force on the feed
blade 92 to permit the feed blade, after bottoming on surface
35a (Fig. 10), to move upwardly with respect to the pins 80,
82. Cutter blade 86, as e~plained, is held rigidly with re-
spect to the base plate 70.
As disclosed, the feed and cutter assembly 40 comprises the
two elongate side plates 72 spaced by the spacing element
74. A pin 120 extends between the side plates 72 and is jour-
naled in a collar 122 having a central opening and flat sides.
A support arm 124 (Fig. 8) is pivoted to the sewing machine
end plate 22 by a pin 126 passing through a boss inter-
mediate the ends of the arm 124. The lower end of the arm
124 is formed with an elongated slot 127 which receives the
collar 122. A spring 128 presses the collar 122 downward.
The lower end of the slot 127 is formed with inward fingers
127a which provide stop means for the lower end of travel
of the collar 122 in the slot 127.
The feed and cutter assembly 40 is thus supported, floating
fashion, on the arm 124, the collar 122 being permitted sub-
stantial vertical sliding movement in the slot 127. The up-
per end of the arm 124 supports a follower wheel 130 rotat-
ably mounted on a pin 132 carried by the arm 124. As shown
113;~3;2~
in Fig 13, the whee1 130 is spaced outwardly frorn plate 22.
The rearward end of the feed and cutter assembly 40 is
provided with a pin 140 which extends between the spaced
side plates 72. Intermediate these plates, the pin is re-
ceived into an opening in a link 142, the upper end of which
is pivotally attached by a pin 144 to a kind of walking
beam 146 pivotally attached to the plate 22 by a bolt 148
rigidly mounted thereon. The other end of the beam carries
a second follower wheel 150.
As disclosed, the shaft 24 rotates in a bearing mounted in
the end plate 22. Inward of the plate, the shaft 24 (Fig.
13) has rigidly mounted thereon a first eccentric cam 160
which continuously engages the follower wheel 150 and as the
shaft 24 rotates, causes the follower wheel 150 to move up
and down. This in turn causes and oscillating movement of
the walking beam 146, the motion of the rear end of which is
communicated by the link 142 to the rearward end of the feed
and cutter assembly 40. As the said rearward end moves up
and down, the forward end carrying the feed and cutter
blades moves down and up correspondingly (Fig. 8).
Inwardly of the cam 160, the shaft 24 loosely mounts an
override cam 170 (Fig. 13) which is formed with a nose 170a.
The cam has an integral rearwardly extending arm 172 by
which the override cam 170 can be rotated even while the
shaft 24 itself is rotating. Further inward from the over-
ride cam 170, the shaft 24 rigidly mounts a second eccen-
tric cam 180. This cam engages the follower wheel 130 (Fig.13) and moves it forward and rearward (Fig. 2) which motion
is reflected in a corresponding rearward and forward motion
of the lower end of the arm 124. This motion produces cor-
responding movements of the feed and cutter assembly 40.
Still further inward, the shaft 24 is supported by a bearing
plate 186 which helps steady the shaft in its rotation. In-
ward of the bearing plate 186, the shaft 24 is driven by
means not shown.
11~33'~5
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In operatioll, the continuous rotation of the shaft 24 re-
sults in a movement of the forward end of the feed and cut-
ter assembly 40 which yenerally follows a square or rectan-
gular path proceediny in a counterclockwise sense in the
Fig. 2 view. It will, incidentally, be noted -that the up-
per portion of the arm 124 is biased rightwardly (Fig. 8)
by a spring unit 190 and that the rear end of the walking
beam 146 is biased downwardly by a spring unit 192 to insure
continued engagement of the followers with the respective
cams at all times.
The result of the rectangular movement of the front end of
the feed and cutter assembly 40 can best be understood by
referring to Fig. 11. The working end 96 of the feed ele-
ment 92 will, as the motion of the assembly is achieved,repeatedly engage between successive adjacent pairs of fast-
ener elements E and move them rightwardly one element's pitch.
The result is that one complete turn of the shaft 24 results
in the rightward stepping of the line of slide fastener ele-
ments by the pitch of one element. As this movement is re-
peated again and again, the lines of slide fastener elements
are moved together through the sewing foot and the lines
are held in such a position in the channels 44 and 46 by
the defining flanges 52a, 52b and 54a, 54b as well as the
wire element 60, that the needles 14 (Fig. 1) in their nor-
mal stroking sew each successive element to the fabric F.
As well shown in Fig. 2, a cylinder piston unit 200 has
its upper end pivotally attached by a pin 202 to the upper
end 22a of the plate 22. A downward piston shaft from the
unit 200 is attached to a clevis 204 which carries a pin 206.
The pin 206 engages a link 208 intermediate the ends thereof.
The forward end of the link 208 is attached to a collar 210
on the upper end of the presser foot shaft 26. A cutter ele-
ment depressor bar 220 is mounted in the plate 22 and extendsdownward to adjacent the base plate 70. As shown in Fig.
2, towards its left end the link 208 is slotted longitudi-
nally as at 212. A transverse pin 214 mounted rigidly on
32S
the depressor bar 220 is disposed in the slot 212. Piv-
otally attached to the rear end of the link 208 is a second
link 230 as by a pin 232. The lower end of the link 230 is
pivotally attached as by a pin 234 to the arm 172 of the
override cam 170.
As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the lowering of the arm 172
causes the nose 170a to engage the follower 130 to over-
ride the cam 180 (Fig. 13) and spring unit 190 to cause the
follower 130 to move leftwardly irrespective of the posi-
tion of cam 180. This, of course, causes the full retraction
or rightward movement (Fig. 2) of the feed and cutter assem-
bly 40.
In operation, the lowering of the arm 172, as shown in Figs.
8, 9 and 10, is accomplished by the lowering of the clevis
204 (Fig. 2) by the piston cylinder assembly 200 actuated by
means not shown. The lowering of the clevis 204, of course,
lowers the rightward end of the link 208. Simultaneously,
the lowering of link 208 through the pin 214 causes`the de-
pressing of the depressor bar 220. This causes the engage-
ment of the lower pointed end of the depressor bar 220 with
the bed plate 70 (compare Figs. 9 and 10). It is seen that
doing this during this time, becaùse of the override nose
170a engaging the follower 130, the feed and cutter assembly
40 is immobilized from horizontal reciprocation even though
the needles 14 and feed means 17 of the sewing machine may
continue to operate.
The depressing of the bed plate 70 by bar 220 moves the
front end of the assembly 40 down. Because as they lower,
the ends 96 of the feed blade 92 engage the connecting
threads C. The further lowering of the front end of the as-
sembly 40 causes feed blade 92 to bottom out on surface 35a
(Fig. 10) and slide up on pins 80, 82, thus forcing spring
plate 76 to yield. As the front end goes lower, the cutter
blade 86 cuts the cords C between two elements.
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It should he notecl that even with the~depressor bar 220
down, foo~ 20 and the forward end of the eeed and cuttex
assembly 40 may be raised as the collar 210 and forward end
of link 208 raise with the foot and the spring 1~ (Fig. 2)
compresses.
It should be clear that the control of the apparatus of the
invention may be by means of a suitable solid state device.
Such devices can be selectively programmed to control the
length of the zipper, length of pre-zipper and post-zipp~r
anchoring stitches, etc.
The apparatus of the invention produces a reliable means to
I attach slide fastener strips directly to the fabric of a
garment or the like. I-t is important to understand that
there is substantial demand for such means.
