Electrically controlled cloth spreading machine

Claim 1

Fail-safe speed reducing means for a cloth spreading machine having a frame suPported for longitudinal movement over a cloth laying surface between reversing stations, a spreader unit to spread cloth in layers, and means for supplying cloth to the spreader unit, comprising: a. electrically energized motor drive means for moving said frame longitudinally of said surface, b. electrical speed control means including selector switch means operable between a low position for energizing said drive means to move said frame at a low speed, and a high position for energizing said drive means to move said frame at a high speed substantially faster than said low speed, c. a low-speed circuit including a normally closed, low-speed switch, d. low-speed actuating means to open said low-speed switch, e. a high-speed circuit including a normally open, high-speed switch, f. high-speed actuating means to close said high-speed switch, g. a switch device in said low-speed circuit, h. said switch device having a closed position operable to shift said selector switch means to said high position, and an open position operable to shift said selector switch means to its low position, said switch device being in said open position when said low-speed circuit is open, i. said high-speed circuit being operatively connected to said switch device to bias said switch device to its closed position when said high-speed switch closes, j. means for supplying power to said low-speed and high-speed circuits k. trigger means for operating said low-speed actuating means and said high-speed actuating means in accordance with a predetermined program.