US3777684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding mechanism
Assignee: FRIEDMAN F AND SONS
•
Filing: 1972-06-23
•
Granted: 1973-12-11
•
Expires: 1992-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus primarily powered by a single linear motor for grasping the ends of a length of ribbon or other flexible material, folding the material to a generally U-shaped configuration with the ends tucked generally inwardly to form, for example, a garment seam cover and simultaneously moving the material along a generally L-shaped path to a sewing location with the apparatus being controlled and synchronized primarily from movement of the motor and linkages driven thereby.
Inventors
- 👤 A Kalamaridis
- 👤 R Friedman
- 👤 S Friedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:26
CPC Classifications
D; D05; D05B; D05B35/00; D05B35/06; D05B35/066; D05B29/00; D05B29/06; D05D; D05D2207/00; D05D2207/02; D05D2207/04; D05D2303/00; D05D2303/20; D05D2305/00; D05D2305/02; D05D2305/06; D05D2305/08; D05D2305/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
Apparatus for automatically gripping the end portion of a severed length of ribbon-like material from supply means therefor, and folding the severed length of ribbon-like material into a generally U-shaped configuration with the end portions thereof tucked inwardly thereof while moving the severed length of material to a position between the pressure foot and the bed of a sewing head for sewing, for example, to form a garment seam end cover comprising, in combination, means for holding the central portion of severed lengths of ribbon-like material and extending the end portions thereof generally forwardly of said central portion to form said material to a generally U-shaped configuration; a pair of pickup fingers for gripping each end portion of the severed length of ribbon-like material from said means; means for rotating said pairs of fingers generally oppositely about 180* to tuck said end portions generally inwardly toward said central portion; a pickup arm for supporting said pairs of pickup fingers and means for moving said pickup arm sequentially in rotation about a point spaced apart from said pickup fingers and generally longitudinally in a plane generally perpendicular said central portion so that said pickup fingers move generally arcuately and linearly along a generally L-shaped path having the legs thereof genErally perpendicular each other, the opposite end portions of said legs corresponding to a pick-up position at said supply means and a release position at said sewing head, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
Apparatus for automatically gripping the end portion of a severed length of ribbon-like material from supply means therefor, and folding the severed length of ribbon-like material into a generally U-shaped configuration with the end portions thereof tucked inwardly thereof while moving the severed length of material to a position between the pressure foot and the bed of a sewing head for sewing, for example, to form a garment seam end cover comprising, in combination, means for holding the central portion of severed lengths of ribbon-like material and extending the end portions thereof generally forwardly of said central portion to form said material to a generally U-shaped configuration; a pair of pickup fingers for gripping each end portion of the severed length of ribbon-like material from said means; means for rotating said pairs of fingers generally oppositely about 180* to tuck said end portions generally inwardly toward said central portion; a pickup arm for supporting said pairs of pickup fingers and means for moving said pickup arm sequentially in rotation about a point spaced apart from said pickup fingers and generally longitudinally in a plane generally perpendicular said central portion so that said pickup fingers move generally arcuately and linearly along a generally L-shaped path having the legs thereof genErally perpendicular each other, the opposite end portions of said legs corresponding to a pick-up position at said supply means and a release position at said sewing head, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said holding means comprises a forming finger movable generally within the plane of movement of said pickup arm and actuated thereby for clamping the central portion of said severed length against a fixed backup member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus defined in claim 2 further comprising a forming finger arm pivotally mounted for movement generally parallel the plane of movement of said pickup arm, said forming finger being mounted for movement with said forming finger arm, a drive spring mounted for movement with said pickup arm and adapted to pivot said forming finger arm to move said forming finger arm to move said forming finger into engagement with said center portion of said severed length of material when said pickup fingers are positioned for gripping the ends thereof, and means for releasing said forming finger from such engagement upon gripping of the end portion of said severed length of material between said gripping fingers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said forming finger is pivotally carried by said forming finger arm adjacent the outboard end portion thereof movable between an operative position relative said forming finger arm whereat said forming finger will engage said central portion of said severed length of material upon movement of said forming finger arm by said drive spring and a released position whereat said forming finger is released from such engagement together with spring means for biasing said forming fnger towards said released position thereof and wherein said means for releasing comprises a latch member pivotally mounted with said forming finger arm generally inboard said forming finger to selectively latch said forming finger in said operative position thereof, said latch member being constructed and arranged to be cammed and operated by said pickup arm when the end portions of said severed length of material are gripped by said gripping fingers to release said spring finger and enable automatic movement thereof to the released position thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus defined in claim 4 further comprising spring means for said forming finger arm urging said forming finger arm against movement by said drive spring so that said forming finger arm rotates generally forwardly upon release from said drive spring together with cooperating camming means associated with said forming finger and the supply means for automatically re-setting said forming finger for automatic latching in the operative position thereof during such forward movement of said forming finger arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each pair of pickup fingers is connectd with a pinion gear generally offset from the axis of the fingers so that rotation of said pinion gears produces both rotation of said fingers about their axes and planetary movement of said fingers about the pinion gear axes to enable 180* rotation of said pinion gears to provide 180* rotation of said fingers together with a maximum translation thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein each pair of pickup fingers is provided with a pinion gear connected with a longitudinal shaft portion thereof for movement therewith and further comprising a pair of rack portions fixedly mounted for engagement by said pinion gears during said arcuate movement of said pickup arm so that said pickup fingers will be automatically rotated thereby 180* in opposite directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said rack portions are positioned to engage said pinion gears only during that portion of the arcuate travel of said pickup arm adjacent the position of linear movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said pickup fingers are further provided with flatted portions engaging fixed flat cam portions during a portion of the arcuate travel of said pickup arm to retain said pickup finger against rotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said pairs of pickup fingers are each provided with generally U-shaped opposing indentations and further comprising a spreader arm pivotally carried by said pickup arm adjacent said pickup fingers, a pair of pickup finger spreader points carried by said spreader arm for insertion into said U-shaped indentations for spreading said pairs of fingers apart upon rotation of said spreader arm in a first direction, means for rotating said spreader arm in said first direction, latch means for selectively retaining said spreader arm rotated in said first direction, spring means for biasing said spreader arm in an opposite direction, and means for camming said latch means to release said spreader arm when said fingers are in position to grip the end portions of said severed length of material so that said spreader arm rotates in said opposite direction to withdraw said spreader points and enable said fingers to grasp said end portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising, a pivot pin carrying said pickup arm for rotation thereabout for enabling such rotation thereof and a slider carrying said pivot pin or reciprocation thereof for enabling such longitudinal component of movement of said pickup arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus defined in claim 11 further comprising a drive arm carried by said pivot pin generally parallel said pickup arm, a drive spring carried by said drive arm for resiliently driving said pickup arm in rotation about said pivot pin, a drive arm extension extending obliquely outwardly of said drive arm, and a linear motor acting on said drive arm extension generally spread apart from said drive arm and generally parallel the axis of reciprocation of said slider.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus defined in claim 12 further comprising a forward stop carried by said slider limiting rotation of said pickup arm away from said supply means, an end stop cooperating with said slider limiting reciprocation of said pickup arm away from said sewing head to alignment of said fingers with said supply means, spring means biasing said slider toward said end stop and spring means biasing said pickup arm pivotally toward said forward stop so that actuation of said linear motor will sequentially provide the required arcuate and reciprocating movement of said pickup arm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3426708A
Cited
US3699907A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |