US1947058A - Machine for sewing mattress covers - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 13, 1934. PITTONI 1,947,058

MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS COVERS Filed April 26, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1m .5

F2- 9 6 ,A N

INVEN TOR. Z ou/sff/ TTO/V/ WAW Feb. 13, 1934. L. E. PITTONIQ 1,947,058

MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS COVERS Filed April 26, 1929 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VEN TOR. Z OU/J'EPI r 7'0/V/ BY m ZJZ M ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1934. PITTQN] 1,947,058

MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS COVERS Filed April 26, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 \B! INVEN TOR.

" ZOU/JZ/O/TTO/VI BY 0% (WW Q ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 13, 1934 MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS COVERS Louis E. Pittoni, Jamaica, N. Y., assignor to The Home Company, Inc., Rome, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 26, 1929. Serial No. 358,240

8 Claims. (01. 112-3) My invention relates in general to machines for operating on mattresses and relates more particularly to machines for stitching the various edge portions of the mattress ticking or cover together.

A main object of my invention is the provisio of improved apparatus for effectively and emciently' sewing mattress covers and particularly the covers on mattresses of different sizes. A further object of my invention is the provision of a mattress supporting table of a character permitting the use of work performing mechanism in a more eiiicient position relative thereto than has been possible heretofore. Inasmuch as my improved apparatus was primarily devised for sewing and/or binding operations on the adjacent panel edge portions of a mattress cover and is particularly advantageous for such work, it is described hereinafter in that connection.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, and the advantages possessed by it reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated. and described a preferred embodiment of the inven* tion.

Of the drawings: 7

Fig l is a plan view with parts broken away of a mattress stitching machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan View with parts broken away of a part of the apparatus during a pivotal movement;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of one of the guide roll latches;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view partly in section through the carrier when in a position at right angles to that Fig. 1 and with an auxiliary mattress table in use, the carrier and table being in section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevation partly diagrammatic of the stitcher mechanism and table; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 7 with a portion of the stitcher mechanism broken away.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, A indicates a stationary platform at one side of which a stitcher mechanism J is positioned. A carrier or movable platform C, carrying a table N on which a mattress M is supported, is arranged for movement on the platform A and mechanism is provided for successively advancing the side portions of the carrier and mattress past the stitcher mechanism and during which movements the stitching operations on the mattress are performed.

As. shown in Figs. 1-4, the platform A has a vertical guide plate A extending for a predetermined distance along one side thereof and held in its upright position by an angle bar A securing the lower portion of the plate to the platform. An opening A is formed in the plate adjacent the stitcher mechanism and through which A plurality of vertical slots A A A and A",

serving as guide roller openings, are formed at points spaced predetermined distances along the upper edge of the guide plate A. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 the rear end of the plate A and the opening A are each provided with a spring latch B consisting of a horizontal bar B having an inclined upper surface 13 and a notched portion B at the outer side of the surface B and a stem B connected to the bar and movable vertically in a socket B under the action of a spring B vertical movement of the stem being limited by a lug B on the stem moving in an adjacent slot B The spring latches described function to prevent the return of guide rollers passing around the end and through the opening A of the plate.

The carrier C comprises a horizontal rectangular metallic frame consisting of a plurality of narrow plates 0, C C and C reinforced at each end by V-shaped plates C In the construction shown 2 and C designate the plates at the opposed sides of the carrier and C and C designate the front and rear end plates, respectively. Brackets D are connected to the carrier frame bars at points equally spaced from andadjacent to each corner of the frame. Each bracket D comprises a vertical body portion D, an upper arm D projecting horizontally at the frame level and a short lower arm D projecting below the arm D As shown in Figs. 2vand 3 the bracket body portions support a rectangular guideway E consisting of a plurality of inverted channel bars E, E E1 and E having their adjacent ends connected to form a continuous guideway below and within the limits of the carrier frame. The lower arms 1) of the brackets support a rack F, which extends continuously around the carrier below the frame bars. Each corner portion F, F

F and F of the rack is curved with a radius corresponding to the horizontal distance between the pitch line of the rack teeth and the center line of the guideway E.

The upper arms of the brackets D are adapted to overhang the guide plate A when in a position alongside the plate and the overhanging ends support a plurality of guide rollers, which contact with the outer side of the guide plate at the upper end thereof when in the position mentioned. Eight of these guide rollers are shown in the construction illustrated, the rollers G and C1 being on one side, rollers G and G on the opposite side, rollers G and G on the rear end, and rollers G" and G on the front end of the carrier.

A plurality of wheels C are symmetrically arranged on the under side of the carrier frame and provided with a swiveled connection thereto, thereby supporting the carrier when moved in any direction. The carrier frame, rack and guideway are further connected by brackets C at spaced points along the sides of the frame intermediate the brackets D. On the sides and ends of the carrier frame, brackets I are mounted adjacent to and at one side of the brackets D which support the rollers G, G G and G". Rollers-I, I I and I are rotatably mounted in the brackets I adjacent the corresponding guide rollers G, G etc. and aid in guiding the carrier during the pivotal movements hereinafter described.

The stitcher mechanism used in the present machine may be of any general type of stitcher mechanism well known in the art modified as hereinafter described. As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8, the stitcher mechanism J comprises a work plate J an arm J overhanging the work plate and carrying a needle bar J operatively connected through a clutch J to a motor driven shaft J, a presser foot J and a needle J". The drive shaft J is connected at its inner end through speed reduction gearing J to a vertical shaft J 9 provided at its upper end with a spur gear J The gear J projects through the opening A into engagement with the rack F as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. A clutch lever J adapted to engageand disengage the clutch J projects horizontally from the driving mechanism towards the operator. The forward end of the clutch lever is pivoted for swinging movements horizontally and provided with a friction surface J which is arranged to engage a brake disc J forming a part of the stitcher mechanism drive connections, when the clutch lever is moved.

The platform A is also provided with a bearing block A in which a pivot roller A is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. This roller is positioned at a point spaced inwardly from the guide plate A. The axis of the roller A is spaced inwardly a distance equal to the radius of the corner portions of the rack and as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the roller is vertically positioned suficiently to fit into the guideway E. Preferably the spur gear J rack F, guideway E and pivot roller A are located at substantially the same level. A segmental track K consisting of a curved channel bar K having its web portion above and secured to the platform A, is arranged about the axis of the roller A as a center and with a radius equal to the distance of the axis of the roller I from the meeting point of the guideway axes at the adjacent corner, the channelK thus providing a trackway for the rollers I, I etc. during the pivotal movements of the carrier.

In the construction illustrated, I have shown an improved form of mattress supporting table N adapted for use with the carrier described and constructed and arranged to materially aid the operator in positioning the mattress edge portions to be stitched on the work plate of the stitcher mechanism. The mattress M is of a well known type and comprises a fabric casing having top and bottom ticks M and M respectively, and side pieces M adapted to be stitched to the top and bottom pieces. The casing is filled with layers of stuffing M above and below a layer of enclosed coil springs M In Fig. 2, the mattress is shown with the bottom edges of the side pieces secured to the bottom tick and the top tick being stitched to the upper edges of the side portions.

The table N on which the mattress is supported consists of a horizontal plate or floor N positioned on and adapted to extend beyond the sides and ends of the carrier frame. The edge portions of the table plate are constructed with a vertical flange N having an inclined surface N at its inner side and a flat upper surface N. The mattress is positioned on the table with its lower edge portions resting on the peripheral flange N and its bottom resting on the plate N. The flange is of suiiicient height to offset the bulging caused by the mattress stufling and springs, which, when the mattress is positioned on a substantially flat surface, cause the mattress ticking edge portions to be drawn apart, rendering any stitching operations extremely difiicult. By the present arrangement the upper surface of the mattress is maintained substantially level and the casing edge portions to be stitched are easily positioned on the work plate. The mattress table for the largest standard size of mattress in use at the present time has substantially the same dimensions as the carrier frame on which it may be permanently or removably mounted in any suitable manner.

When as shown in Figs. 2, 7 and 8, it is desirable to permanently cover the stitched edge portions of the mattress with a tape or ribbon, all the parts are stitched together in one operation. A roll 0 of tape is shown in Fig. 8 positioned adjacent the work plate and arranged to pass through guide pins 0 and a folder 0 located adjacent the needle J" and by which the tape is folded and positioned around the mattress edge portions to be stitched. As shown in Fig. 8 the rear portion of the work plate is cut away at an angle at O to aid the operator in positioning the mattress edge portions under the needle.

With the parts constructed and arranged as described and the carrier slightly to the rear of the position shown in Fig. 1 and a table adapted to support a full standard size mattress mounted on the carrier, a mattress of corresponding size is positioned on the table with its edge portions resting on the table flange as shown in Fig. 2. The operator then positions the adjacent ticking edges on the work plate and starts the stitcher mechanism and carrier drive mechanism into operation. The spur gear-rack engagement causes the carrier table and mattress to move longitudinally past the stitcher mechanism in the direction of the arrow in Fig. l, the guide rollers G and G contacting with the outer side of the guide plate A and the stationary roller A engaging the guideway E, and cooperating to maintain the carrier and stitcher mechanism in the proper relative position. The longitudinal movement of the carrier and table continues until the pivot roller A is at the rear endof the guideway channel E, at which position of the roller A the guide rollerG' is at the front end of the guide plate A and the guide roller G is at the opening A.

The driving movement continuing, the carrier is moved about the roller A as a center, the guide rollers G and G passing around the forward end of the guide plate and through the opening A respectively, and the roller I entering the adjacent inner end of the trackway K. The pivotal movement continues as shown by the arrows in Fig. 3 and is guided by the roller I in the trackway K until the guide roller G3 enters the opening A in the guide plate and the guide roller G enters the opening A The spring latch in the opening A prevents the guide roller G from returning to the inner side of the guide plate. The stitching operation on the mattress corner takes place during the pivotal movement and on the rear end of the mattress as the mattress table and carrier are again moved longitudinally past the stitcher mechanism.

The longitudinal movement continues as before until the pivot roller A is at the end of the guideway channel E When that point is reached, the guide roller G3 is at the opening A" and the guide roller G is opposite the opening A The pivotal movement is then repeated with the roller I moving in the trackway K and the rollers G and G passing through the'openings A and A respectively, until the guide roller G enters the opening A and the guide roller G passes over the spring latch at the rear end of the guide plate A. The alternate longitudinal and pivotal movements of the carrier then continue until the remaining side and end of the mattress are stitched. The mattress is then removed and a new mattress of the same size positioned on the table and the cycle of operations repeated.

While the mattress stitching machine of my invention has been described and illustrated for operating on what is known as a standard full size mattress, it is apparent that the width of the carrier and location of some ofv the guide plate openings could be changed to render the machine capable of operating on mattresses of different widths. In plants where the output is sufficiently large, a separate machine may be used for each size mattress. I desire, however, to provide mechanism for giving the machine described the capacity for operating on mattresses of different widths, the change in operation requiring only the substitution of a mattress supporting table of a width corresponding to the width of the mattress to be stitched.

With the carrier in the position illustrated'in Fig. 1, the carrier frame is constructed with a pair of transverse channel bars P slightly spaced apart at the underside of the frame and arranged to serve as a trackway for a bar P on whichthe mattress table is supported. The bar P extends partly across the carrier frame and is movably supported in the trackway on pairs of rollers P adjacent each end. The bar P and rollers P are maintained in their proper position relative to the channels by pairs of vertically pivoted rollers P mounted at each end of the bar and contacting with the webs of the channels P. 'Secured to the outer side of the webs of the channels P are a pair of plates Q in which short vertical notches Q, Q Q and Q are out at spaced points along the lower edge.

As shown in Fig. 5 in which the carrier rear end is moving past the stitcher mechanism, a

block R is secured to the underside of the bar P at the front end thereof and provided with a horizontally extending hole R at its forward end containing a. compression spring R A pair of cars R projects horizontally from the block adjacent to and at each side of the hole. The rear end of a trip lever R is pivotally mounted between the ears R The trip lever is in the form of an inverted U, the front leg R of which has a rod R extending transversely therethrough beyond the plates Q. The rear leg R" of the trip lever is formed with a forwardly projecting toe R which is arranged to contact during one of the longitudinal movements of the carrier with a stop S mounted on the platform A.

This stop S has a vertical rear portion S and a pair of forwardly projecting inclined flanges S between which a bell crank lever S is horizontally pivoted. The lower arm of the lever S extends downwardly through a slot S in the platform A and is positioned between a pair of pins S mounted on a horizontal disc S rotatably mounted at the under side of the platform. A rod S having forked end portions connects the disc S and the front end of the clutch lever-J as shown in Fig. 1, whereby a partial rotation of the disc effects a disengagement of the stitcher mechanism and drive shaft, the movement of the former being stopped by the action of the braking surface J on the brake disc J A mattress supporting table of a width corresponding to the size of the mattress to be stitched is positioned on the bar P with pins P projecting from the upper surface of the bar and fitting into corresponding recesses N in the under side of the table N. The table is additionally supported by a plurality of rollers T arranged in series in supporting members T parallel to and at opposite sides of the bar P as shown in Fig. 1. Each of the rollers T projects slightly above the level of the carrier frame.

With the parts constructed and arranged as described, the auxiliary table and mattress are positioned on the supporting bar P and the bar initially positioned in the channels Q with the rod R held in one of the notches in the channels Q depending on the width of the mattress to be stitched. As indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5 when an intermediate sized table is used the rod R is initially positioned in the notch Q The rod R is held in the notch Q in the present case by the compression spring l-t acting on the rear side of the trip lever R The operator then starts the machine into operation and as before the side 0 of the carrier is passed in front of the stitching mechanism and the edge portions of the mattress stitched together, either with or without the tape illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8.

When that side of the mattress has been stitched,

the carrier passes through the pivotal movement in which the mattress corner is stitched as heretofore described and the rear end of the mattress is then moved longitudinally past the stitcher mechanism.

It will be noted in connection with this movement that the travel of the carrier rack is necessarily greater than actually required to stitch the corresponding end of the mattress. The mechanism heretofore described effects a relative movement between the table and carrier, so that the tabel will be in the proper position for the approaching pivotal and longitudinal movements and also disengages the stitcher mechanism and drive shaft during this relative movement. The rear end of the carrier advances in front of the Mil stitcher mechanism until the curved corner por- 15G tion of the mattress is reached. At this point the front trip lever leg R having passed over the stop S is moved out of its position in the notch Q by the rear leg R contacting with the stop S and is deflected downwardly into contact with the upper arm of the lever S The resulting movement of the latter rotates the disc S to unclutch the stitcher mechanism from the drive shaft.

The movement of the carrier frame past the stitcher mechanism continues while the bar P', the table and mattress carried thereby remain stationary until the rack corner F is reached. When this point is reached the bar and table are at the opposite end of the channels Q and the pivotal movement then beginning causes the block R and trip lever R to move arcuately out of engagement with the stop mechanism. The rod R under the action of the spring R then engages in the adjacent notch Q to hold the bar and table in their new position. The inner side and front end of the mattress are then successively advanced in front of the stitching mechanism by alternate longitudinal and pivotal movements until the end of the mattress is reached. The mattress is then removed, the bar P and table reset in the initial position and the cycle of operations repated.

My invention is characterized by the simplicity and effectiveness of the machine and of the method of operating the same, by the low initial and operating costs involved in comparison to previous constructions for this purpose, and by the use of relatively unskilled labor in operating the same. The whole cycle of operations described requires only a short time. The unitary drive system and reduction gearing shown permit a timed relation between the stitching mechanism and rate of movement of the mattress carrier and efiects a proper spacing of the stitches. The form of table used advantageously allows the stitcher work plate to be in a horizontal position rather than in the inclined position heretofore necessary.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage withouta corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A mattress stitching machine comprising in combination with a mattress supporting table, a carrier supporting said table, and a stitcher mechanism located at one side of said carrier, means for moving said carrier and table relative-to said stitcher mechanism, means for guiding said carrier during a longitudinal portion of said movement, and separate means for guiding said carrier during another portion of said movement.

2. A mattress stitching machine comprisingin combination a wheeled carrier, a mattress supporting table removably mounted on said carrier, a stitcher mechanism located at one side of said carrier, means for longitudinally and pivotally moving said carrier and table relative to said stitcher mechanism including a rack mounted on and extending continuously around said carrier, means for driving said stitcher mechanism and rack, a rectangular guideway mounted on said carrier, and a guide roller positioned in said guideway during said longitudinal movements and acting as a pivot during said pivotal movements.

3. The combination with a mattress supporting table, a carrier supporting said table, and a work performing mechanism located at one side of said carrier, of means for moving said carrier and table longitudinally past said work performing mechanism, means for effecting a pivotal movement of said carrier and table after a predetermined longitudinal movement, and means eiTecting a movement of said carrier relative to said table.

4. A mattress stitching machine capable of operating on mattresses of various sizes comprisingthe combination with a mattress supporting table, a carrier supporting said table, and a stitcher mechanism located at one side of the said carrier, of means for moving said carrier and table relative to said stitcher mechanism, means effecting a movement of said carrier relative to said table, and means operated by said last mentioned means for stopping said stitcher mechanism during said last mentioned movement.

5. In a mattress edge stitching machine, the combination with a stitcher mechanism having a horizontally positioned work plate and a reciprocating needle, of a mattress supporting table movable relative to said stitcher mechanism and having peripheral flanged portions on which the mattress edge portions are positioned to overlap said work plate, and means for moving said table along a definite path of movement such that said flange portion is always at one side of and definitely spaced away from the path of needle movement.

6. Mattress sewing apparatus adapted for operation on mattresses of various sizes and comprising a work performing mechanism, means for moving the mattress past the Work performing mechanism in successive longitudinal movements during which the working operations are performed thereon, and means for efiecting a relative movement between said mattress and said first mentioned means While maintaining said mattress stationary relative to said Work performing mechanism.

7. Apparatus for connecting adjacent mattress cover sections comprising a movable supporting structure arranged to support a substantially rectangular filled mattress With contiguous unconnected edge portions of the mattress cover positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, a mechanism for sewing said contiguous cover edge portions, means for continuously advancing said supporting structure past said sewing mechanism with said edge portions in position to be operated on, and means for guiding said supporting structure during its movements comprising a longitudinally extending guide plate fixedly positioned between said sewing mechanism and said supporting structure, and

guide rollers mounted on said supporting structure arranged to contact with the side of said guide plate adjacent said sewing mechanism.

8. Apparatus for connecting adjacent mattress cover sections comprising a movable supporting 143 structure arranged to support a substantially rectangular filled mattress with contiguous unconnected edge portions of the mattress cover positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, a mechanism-for sewing said contiguous cover edge guide rollers mounted on said supporting structure arranged to contact with the side of said guide plate opposite said supporting structure, said guide plate having openings formed therein for the entrance and exit of said guide rollers.

LOUIS E. PITTONI.

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