BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved industrial-use sewing machine adapted
to perform two sequential seams, and to vary either leftwardly or rightwardly the
stitch felling direction.
[0002] As is known, one of the types of seams frequently used in the cloth making industry
is the so-called "fell seam".
[0003] This seaming operation usually consists of coupling to one another by a first seam,
two parts of a cloth article to be seamed, and then bending the thus seamed parts,
under either one or the other of the two portions of the cloth article extending from
the two seamed parts of borders.
[0004] Then, by a second seaming operation, the thus bent parts or borders are affixed to
the overlaying portion of the cloth article.
[0005] Prior industrial sewing machines for performing the above mentioned operations, conventionally
operate in two subsequent operating steps, i.e. by using two different sewing machines,
or by using a single sewing machine which, however, requires that several parts of
the machine be replaced, depending on a leftwardly or rightwardly felling operation
to be performed, or depending on the seamed cloth article parts seamed by the first
seaming operation be bent under either one or the other of the two portions of the
cloth article seamed at the two mentioned parts of borders.
[0006] These replacing operations, as it should be apparent, will require to use skilled
operators and, moreover, they will interrupt the operation of the sewing machine,
thereby greatly increasing the cloth article making cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned
drawback, by providing an improved industrial use sewing machine which is specifically
designed for performing two immediately sequential seams, with the additional capability
of changing the felling direction, either rightwardly or leftwardly, without requiring
any replacing or fitting operations.
[0008] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention
is to provide such a sewing machine which, since it does not require any fitting operations
for performing felling seaming operation, independently from the direction of the
latter, provides a very high production yield, while reducing to a minimum the operation
cost.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a sewing machine which
is very safe and reliable in operation.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a sewing machine providing
very accurate sequential seams, independently from the felling operation direction.
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects,
as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved
by an improved industrial-use sewing machine adapted to perform two sequential seams,
and to vary either leftwardly or rightwardly the stitch felling direction, characterized
in that said sewing machine comprises two sewing units, respectively a horizontal
needle bar sewing unit and a vertical needle bar sewing unit, sequentially arranged
along a cloth article feeding direction, along said cloth article feeding direction
being moreover provided, under a cloth article bearing panel, a first guide defining
a first passage for the two parts or borders of the cloth article to be seamed, which
parts can be mutually arranged in a facing relationship on a substantially vertical
plane, near the horizontal needle bar, and a second guide, arranged between said horizontal
needle bar sewing unit and said vertical needle bar sewing unit, said second guide
defining a second passage for the two parts of said cloth article, seamed by said
horizontal needle bar sewing unit, and being provided moreover with means for bending
said two seamed cloth article parts, in a direction transversal of said feeding direction
so as to bring said seamed cloth article parts under either one or the other of the
two cloth article portions extending from said cloth article parts and arranged above
said second guide in a substantially horizontal plane on opposite sides of said second
passage, for fell seaming said two cloth article parts, under either one or the other
said two article portions as performed by said vertical needle bar sewing unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the sewing machine according to the present
invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure
of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment, of said sewing machine which is
illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the accompanying
drawings, where:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the sewing machine according to
the present invention, the coating plates defining the bearing panel for the cloth
article to be seamed being omitted;
Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged portion of the sewing machine shown in figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic elevation view illustrating the sewing machine according to
the present invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic front elevation view illustrating the sewing machine according
to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side perspective view illustrating a portion of the sewing machine according
to the present invention, related to a second guide thereof;
Figure 6 is a further perspective view illustrating the second guide;
Figures 7 and 8 are top plan views respectively illustrating the second guide with
the bending means in two different positions;
Figure 9 is a front elevation view illustrating the second guide;
Figure 10 is a top plan view illustrating the second guide;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of figure 7, substantially taken along the section
line XI-XI;
Figure 12 illustrates a felling seam which can be made by properly arranging the bending
means shown in figure 11;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of figure 8, substantially taken along the section
line XIII-XIII;
Figure 14 illustrates the felling or fell seam performed by properly arranging the
bending means as shown in figure 13;
Figure 15 is a front perspective view illustrating that portion of the subject sewing
machine arranged immediately upstream of the vertical needle bar sewing unit; and
Figure 16 is a side elevation view illustrating a detail of the sewing machine according
to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the sewing
machine according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by
the reference number 1, comprises two sewing units, respectively a horizontal needle
bar sewing unit 2 and a vertical needle bar central sewing unit 3, which are sequentially
arranged, or cascade arranged, along the cloth article to be seamed feeding direction
4.
[0014] More specifically, the sewing units 2 and 3 can comprise two sewing units, respectively
of a horizontal needle bar type and a vertical needle bar type, of conventional type,
for example of the type comprising a main shaft 5, rotatively driven about its rotary
axis, for example by an electric motor which, through a suitable transmission, including,
for example, driving belts 6 and 7, drives two driven shafts 8 and 9 which, in turn,
by known types of linkage and cam systems, which have been only partially shown in
the figures of the accompanying drawings, will drive the horizontal needle bar 10
of the sewing unit 2 and the vertical needle bar 11 of the sewing unit 3.
[0015] In this connection it should be apparent that the two driven shafts 8 and 9, instead
of being coupled to a single and same main shaft 5, can also be driven by individual
electric motors, suitable synchronized with one another so as to provide a desired
timing of the driving of the horizontal needle bar 10 with the vertical needle bar
11, as well as of the several component elements of the two sewing units 2 and 3,
so as to progressively cause the cloth article to be seamed to advance along the cloth
article feeding direction 4.
[0016] The sewing unit 2, as shown, is preferably arranged under a cloth article bearing
panel 12, which is substantially horizontally arranged, for the two parts or borders
13a and 13b of the cloth article to be seamed to one another.
[0017] More specifically, the bearing panel 12 is constituted by covering plates 14 and
15, having any suitable configurations, which are affixed to the bearing framework
of the sewing machine.
[0018] In particular, the feeding of the cloth article to be seamed along the feeding direction
4 is obtained, in a per se known manner, for example by using feeding grippers, conventionally
included in conventional horizontal needle bar sewing units and vertical needle bar
sewing units.
[0019] The horizontal needle bar 10 can be provided with either one or more sewing needles
16, which are driven by the driven shaft 8, with a reciprocating translation motion
along a substantially horizontal direction and transversal of the feeding direction
4.
[0020] The needle or needles 16 cooperate with one or more crochets, not shown in the drawings,
of conventional types, in order to form the seaming stitches.
[0021] The sewing machine according to the present invention comprises moreover, near the
working region of the horizontal needle bar 10, a first guide defining, in parallel
to the feeding direction 4, a first passage 18 for the two parts or borders 20a and
20b of the cloth portions 13a and 13b to be seamed, which parts are arranged with
a mutually facing relationship in a substantially vertical plane.
[0022] More particularly, the first guide 17 comprises a needle plate 21, defining a bearing
surface, which is substantially vertical and parallel to said feeding direction 4,
for the two cloth parts or borders 20a and 20b and a foot element 22, facing the bearing
plane or surface defined by the needle plate 21.
[0023] The needle plate 21 and the foot element 22 define therebetween a passage 18 for
the two cloth parts or borders 20a and 20b.
[0024] As shown, the foot element 22 can swing about a vertical axis 23, which is laterally
spaced from the needle plate 21, away from the needle plate 18 and against the biassing
of a biassing spring 24, so as to fit the different thicknesses of the cloth parts
20a and 20b.
[0025] In the needle plate 21, moreover, can be formed passage means for the cloth article
feeding grippers, as the cloth article is seamed.
[0026] The covering plates 14 and 15, which define the bearing panel 12 for the cloth article
to be seamed, also define the inlet of the first guide 17, which inlet substantially
comprises two side walls 25a and 25b, which are progressively driven toward one another,
according to the feeding direction 4, so as to greatly facilitate the introduction
of the cloth parts 20a and 20b, in a substantially vertical direction, inside the
passage 18.
[0027] The sewing machine according to the present invention comprises moreover a second
guide 30, which is arranged in the machine region between the horizontal needle bar
10 and the vertical needle bar 11, along the feeding direction 4.
[0028] The second guide 30 defines a second passage 31 for the two cloth parts 20a and 20b,
seamed to one another by the sewing unit 2, and said second guide is provided with
bending means 32 for bending the two cloth parts 20a and 20b in a cross direction
with respect to the mentioned feeding direction 4.
[0029] Thus, it will be possible to bring the two seamed cloth parts under either one or
the other of the two cloth portions 13a and 13b extending from the parts 20a and 20b
and which are arranged above the second guide 30 in a substantially horizontal plane
and being arranged on opposite sides with respect to the passage 31.
[0030] Thus, the following sewing unit 3 can perform a felling seaming operation of the
two cloth parts 20a and 20b under either one or the other of the cloth portions 13a
and 13b, depending on a rightwardly or leftwardly felling operation to be performed.
[0031] More specifically, the second guide 30 comprises a supporting arm element 33, which
is connected to the sewing machine supporting framework and which slidably supports,
along a direction substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction 4, a plate-like
element 35, in which is defined a guide groove 36 for the two cloth parts 20a and
20b.
[0032] Under the guide groove or channel 36, in the supporting arm element 33 is defined
a cut-out 37 which extends at the bottom the guide groove or channel 36.
[0033] On the top of the guide groove or channel 36, are arranged two top small plates 38a
and 38b which are mutually facing along the feeding direction 4 and which define therebetween
the second passage 31.
[0034] The top small plates 38a and 38b are connected to further small plates 39a and 39b
which can slide either toward one another or away from one another, i.e. transversely
of the feeding direction 4, in a sliding seat defined by a portion 40 of the supporting
arm element 33 and by further bottom small plates 41a and 41b which are connected
to the portion 40.
[0035] In particular, the sliding movement of the small plates 39a and 39b away from one
another is counter-biassed by return springs 42.
[0036] Thus, by causing the small plates 39a and 39b and, accordingly, the small plates
38a and 38b to be driven away from one another, it will be possible to fit a thickness
variations of the cloth parts 20a and 20b to be seamed.
[0037] The plate-like element 35, in which is defined said guide channel or groove 36, can
be driven, transversely of the feeding direction 4, by a pneumatic cylinder 43, which
has a cylinder body pivoted to the sewing machine framework and the stem rod 43a of
the piston of which operates on the plate-like element 35, as is shown in a more clearly
manner in figures 7 and 8.
[0038] The small plates 38a and 38b are provided, on the end portions thereof facing the
sewing unit 2, with lead-in bent portions 44a and 44b for the cloth parts 20a and
20b.
[0039] The sewing unit 2 is preferably mounted on a slide, which can be controllably driven,
for example by a pneumatic cylinder provided with limit elements, or by a nut-nutscrew
assembly, in a direction transversal of the feeding direction 4, with respect the
sewing unit 2.
[0040] The subject sewing machine comprises moreover pneumatic means for allowing the cloth
portions 13a and 13b to be held properly spread apart on the bearing panel 12, said
portions 13a and 13b extending from the two cloth parts 20a and 20b being seamed during
the felling seaming operation.
[0041] As shown, the above mentioned pneumatic means comprise pressurized air jet delivery
nozzle 50 which are supported, immediately upstream of the working region of the vertical
needle bar 11, and which are faced to the top of the bearing panel 12, so as to cause
the cloth portions 13a and 13b to be held spread apart on said bearing panel 12, during
the seaming operation.
[0042] Downstream of the vertical needle bar 11, according to the feeding direction 14,
are provided entraining means for entraining or driving the seamed cloth article,
said entraining or driving means being indicated by the reference number 60.
[0043] The mentioned driving means, in particular, comprise a driving belt 61 entrained
about a driving pulley 62 and two transmission pulleys 63 and 64, as well as a further
tension pulley 65, according to a closed loop, extending, at least for a portion thereof,
near the bearing panel 12, so as to engage by the top face thereof with the cloth
article, upon seaming thereof, in order to cooperate with said grippers for causing
said cloth article to be fed along the feeding direction 4.
[0044] The operation of the sewing machine according to the present invention, and as above
disclosed, is the following.
[0045] The two cloth parts or borders 20a and 20b of the cloth portions 13a and 13b to be
seamed are introduced by the operator, in a mutually facing relationship in a substantially
vertical plane, into the first passage 18 defined by the first guide 17.
[0046] The thus engaged cloth parts 20a and 20b are driven along the feeding direction 4
and are subjected to the first seamed operation, performed by the horizontal needle
bar 10.
[0047] At the outlet of the first passage 18, the thus seamed cloth parts 20a and 20b will
enter the second passage 31 of the second guide 30, the end portions of the two cloth
parts 20a and 20b being arranged in the guide channel 36.
[0048] If a rightwardly felling operation is required, then the plate-like element 35 will
be driven, by the driving pneumatic cylinder 43, rightwardly, as is clearly shown
in figure 11.
[0049] Thus, the two cloth parts or borders 20a and 20b will be bent under the cloth portion
13b to be seamed.
[0050] A corresponding displacement or driving movement is also applied to the seaming or
sewing unit 3 which will perform, by means of the vertical needle bar 11, a felling
seaming operation 70, as is clearly shown in figure 12.
[0051] As, on the contrary, a leftwardly felling operation is required, then the plate-like
element 35 will be driven, by the mentioned driving pneumatic cylinder 43, in an opposite
direction, so as to cause the cloth parts 20a and 20b to be bent under the cloth portion
13a to be affixed to this portion by the seam performed by the sewing unit 3, which
will be displaced or driven transversely of the cloth article feeding direction 4
in the same direction as the driving direction applied to the plate-like element 35
in order to perform the felling seam 71, as clearly shown in figure 14.
[0052] From the above disclosure and from an observation of the figures of the accompanying
drawings, it should be apparent that the sewing machine according to the present invention
fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
[0053] In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that a sewing machine has been provided
which is specifically designed for performing either a rightwardly or leftwardly felling
seaming operation, without requiring any replacing operations on parts of the sewing
machine and, accordingly, without interrupting the operation of the sewing machine.
[0054] While the sewing machine according to the present invention has been disclosed and
illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be apparent
that the disclosed embodiments are susceptible to several modifications and variations,
all of which will come within the scope of the appended claims.
1. An improved industrial-use sewing machine adapted to perform two sequential seams,
and to vary either leftwardly or rightwardly the stitch felling direction, characterized
in that said sewing machine comprises two sewing units, respectively a horizontal
needle bar sewing unit and a vertical needle bar sewing unit, sequentially arranged
along a cloth article feeding direction, along said cloth article feeding direction
being moreover provided, under a cloth article bearing panel, a first guide defining
a first passage for the two parts or borders of the cloth article to be seamed, which
parts can be mutually arranged in a facing relationship on a substantially vertical
plane, near the horizontal needle bar, and a second guide, arranged between said horizontal
needle bar sewing unit and said vertical needle bar sewing unit, said second guide
defining a second passage for the two parts of said cloth article, seamed by said
horizontal needle bar sewing unit, and being provided moreover with means for bending
said two seamed cloth article parts, in a direction transversal of said feeding direction
so as to bring said seamed cloth article parts under either one or the other of the
two cloth article portions extending from said cloth article parts and arranged above
said second guide in a substantially horizontal plane on opposite sides of said second
passage, for fell seaming said two cloth article parts, under either one or the other
said two article portions as performed by said vertical needle bar sewing unit.
2. A sewing machine, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said vertical needle
bar sewing unit can be controllably driven transversely of said cloth article feeding
direction with respect to said horizontal needle bar sewing unit.
3. A sewing machine, according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said first guide
comprises a needle plate, defining a cloth bearing surface, which is substantially
vertical and parallel to said feeding direction, for supporting said two cloth parts
to be seamed, as well as a foot element facing the first bearing surface, said needle
plate and said foot element defining therebetween the passage for said two cloth parts
to be seamed.
4. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said foot element can be driven away from said needle plate against the biassing
of resilient biassing means for fitting a different thickness of said two cloth parts
to be seamed.
5. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said first guide is provided with a lead-in portion which is progressively
narrowed along said feeding direction.
6. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said foot element can swing about a substantially vertical swinging axis laterally
spaced from said needle plate, either against said resilient means or by operation
of said resilient means.
7. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said second guide comprises two top small plates, which are arranged in a
mutually facing relationship along said feeding direction and define therebetween
said second passage for the two parts of the seamed cloth article; said bending means
comprising a plate-like element in which is defined a guide channel arranged under
said top small plates, being moreover provided driving means for driving said plate-like
element transversely of said feeding direction with respect to said top small plates,
for laterally bending, either in a direction or in the other, said two seamed cloth
parts.
8. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said driving means comprises a driving pneumatic cylinder controllably operating
on said plate-like element.
9. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said top small plates can be driven away from one another, transversely of
said feeding direction, against the biassing of resilient biassing return means.
10. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said machine comprises moreover pneumatic means for holding in a spread out
relationship on said bearing panel the two portions of said cloth article extending
from said two seamed cloth parts, during a felling seaming operation.
11. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said pneumatic means comprise pressurized air jet nozzles arranged on the
top of said bearing panel and directed toward said bearing panel.
12. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said sewing machine comprises moreover, downstream of said vertical needle
bar sewing unit, entraining means for entraining said seamed cloth article, which
entraining means are arranged according to said feeding direction.
13. A sewing machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said entraining means comprises a driving belt engaging with pulley elements
defining a closed loop for said belt, which closed loop extends at least for a portion
thereof in a facing relationship with respect to said bearing panel.
14. An improved industrial-use sewing machine, adapted to perform two sequential seams,
and to vary either leftwardly or rightwardly the stitch felling direction, according
to one or more of the preceding claims, and substantially as broadly disclosed and
illustrated and for the intended aim and objects.