Fabric push on device

Abstract

 A device for running fabric down the shank of points (24) on a linking machine, the device including a plurality of spaced fingers (20) arranged side by side on a movable support, the fingers being arranged in use to be moved along a path passing in board of the terminal end of the points such that each finger passes between an adjacent pair of points to thereby push fabric located on those points down their shanks.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for running fabric down the shank of points on a linking machine having a rotatable dial of points. A typical type of linking machine is disclosed in our U.K. Patent 1533602.

[0002] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for running fabric down the shank of points on a linking machine, the device including a plurality of spaced fingers arranged side by side on a movable support, the fingers being arranged in use to be moved along a path passing in board of the terminal end of the points such that each finger passes between an adjacent pair of points to thereby push fabric located on those points down their shanks.

[0003] Preferably the movable support is a rotatable disc and the fingers are arranged concentrically relative to the axis of rotation of the disc. Preferably the disc is freely rotatable and is mounted adjacent the dial of points of a linking machine such that on rotation of the dial of points, successive points penetrate between adjacent fingers and thereby cause the disc to rotate.

[0004] Preferably the disc has a circumferentially extending peripheral groove which enables the points of the linking machine to pass therethrough, the fingers being located so as to extend across the mouth of groove.

[0005] Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention shown in use; and

Figure 2 is a part sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 1.

[0006] The push on device 10 illustrated in the drawings includes a disc 11 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 14 via a bearing 15.

[0007] The shaft 14 is mounted in a base 18 which is in turn mounted on a fixed part 1 of the linking machine, for instance the work surface 1 shown in our U.K. Patent 1533602. The disc 11 includes a circumferentially extending groove 16 and a plurality of axially extending fingers 20 are provided which are spaced circumferentially about the disc 11 so as to extend across the mouth of groove 16. Preferably the disc 11 has a side wall 11a which extends axially relative to the axis of rotation of the disc and preferably the fingers 20 are located so their outer surfaces are substantially contiguous with the surface of side wall 11a.

[0008] The disc 11 is positioned in use so as to be located adjacent to the dial 23 of points 24 of the linking machine so that on rotation of the dial 23 successive points 24 enter into the groove 16. The spacing between adjacent fingers 20 is chosen bearing in mind the gauge of points 24 such that on rotation of the dial 23 successive points 24 enter between adjacent fingers 20 and thereby cause the disc 11 to rotate.

[0009] In use fabric is impaled on the points 24 by an operative and then the dial is rotated to move the impaled fabric by the disc 11 prior to presenting the fabric to the sewing means (not shown) of the linking machine. Such rotation of the dial causes the fingers 20 to engage the fabric located between adjacent points and move the fabric down the shank of the points by a predetermined amount as the dial continues to rotate. In addition the fabric extending immediately above and below the points is engaged and moved by the outer surface of wall 11a.

[0010] The distance by which fabric is moved down the shank of the points is predetermined and adjusted by varying the closest distance d between the peripheries of the dial 24 and disc 11. This may conveniently be done by appropriate positioning of base 18. The depth and width of groove 16 are chosen to accommodate for adequate clearance for passage of the points through the groove.

[0011] Conveniently the fingers 20 are formed from lengths of wire which are fixedly located in axially extending grooves formed in the side wall 11a.

Claims

1. A device for running fabric down the shank of points on a linking machine, the device including a plurality of spaced fingers arranged side by side on a movable support, the fingers being arranged in use to be moved along a path passing in board of the terminal end of the points such that each finger passes between an adjacent pair of points to thereby push fabric located on those points down their shanks.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the movable support is a rotatable disc and the fingers are arranged concentrically relative to the axis of rotation of the disc.

3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein the disc is freely rotatable and is mounted adjacent the dial of points of a linking machine such that on rotation of the dial of points, successive points penetrate between adjacent fingers and thereby cause the dics to rotate.

4. A device according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the outer periphery of the fingers and the disc are contiguous so that both the fingers and periphery of the disc engage the fabric to be run down the points.

5. A device according to Claim 4 wherein the disc has a circumferentially extending groove which enables the points of the linking machine to pass therethrough, the fingers being located so as to extend across the mouth of the groove.

6. A device according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the outer periphery of the disc is provided with axially extending grooves in which the fingers are located.

7. A linking machine having a rotatable dial of points and a device for running fabric down the shank of the points according to any preceding claim.

Drawing