Needle positioner for high speed stitching machines

Claim 1

A system for positioning the needle of a stitching machine of the high speed type which includes a main drive motor having a brake associated therewith which is actuatable by generally lineal movement of a member thereof, a needle reciprocatory mechanism including shaft means positively connected in driving and stopping relationship to said drive motor, a pnuematically powered needle positioning mechanism connected to said shaft means, a foot pedal, a pitman rod, means connecting one end of said pitman rod to said foot pedal, a piston-cylinder device secured to said pitman rod and with its piston member operatively connected to said brake actuating member, normally closed valve means secured to said pitman rod in a location adjacent a stationary member, said valve means including plunger means projecting therefrom and operable to selectively open said valve means for the flow of pressurized air therethrough or to close said valve, said plunger being disposed adjacent said stationary member whereby movement of said foot pedal to activate said drive motor and commence a stitching operation moves said valve means away from said stationary member and said plunger moves to a position which results in closing of said valve means and whereby movement of said foot pedal to a position for stopping a stitching operation moves said valve toward said stationary member to move said plunger to a position which results in opening of said valve, a source of pressurized air, conduit means connecting said source of pressurized air to said valve means, further conduit means connecting said valve means to said piston-cylinder device and to said needle positioning mechanism for providing an actuating force for each.

Claim 2

A system for positioning the needle of a stitching machine of the high speed type which includes a main drive motor having a brake associated therewith which is actuatable by generally lineal movement of a member thereof, a needle reciprocatory mechanism including shaft means positively connected in driving and stopping relationship to said drive motor, a pnuematically powered needle positioning mechanism connected to said shaft means, a foot pedal, a pitman rod, means connecting one end of said pitman rod to said foot pedal, a piston-cylinder device secured to said pitman rod and with its piston member operatively connected to said brake actuating member, normally closed valve means secured to said pitman rod in a location adjacent a stationary member, said valve means including plunger means projecting therefrom and operable to selectively open said valve means for the flow of pressurized air therethrough or to close said valve, said plunger being disposed adjacent said stationary member whereby movement of said foot pedal to activate said drive motor and commence a stitching operation moves said valve means away from said stationary member and said plunger moves to a position which results in closing of said valve means and whereby movement of said foot pedal to a position for stopping a stitching operation moves said valve toward said stationary member to move said plunger to a position which results in opening of said valve, a source of pressurized air, conduit means connecting said source of pressurized air to said valve means, further conduit means connecting said valve means to said piston-cylinder device and to said needle positioning mechanism for providing an actuating force for each.