Cloth pickup and folding head

Claim 2

A cloth pickup device comprising: first and second elongated jaws; means for pivotally mounting said jaws about first and second axes substantially parallel to each other and spaced so that said jaws are pivotable from a first position wherein they are in operative clamping position with respect to each other to clamp a piece of cloth therebetween, to a second position wherein they are in an unobstructed open position to allow a piece of cloth to freely pass into a position between said jaws; and overcenter spring means acting directly on said jaws for maintaining said jaws in either said first or second position thereof once moved to that position.

Claim 3

A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of needles extending through said first elongated jaw, spaced along the dimension of elongation thereof, and each needle having a needle point extending outwardly therefrom toward said second elongated jaw to cooperate with said second jaw to pierce and hold a piece of cloth clamped between said first and second jaws when said jaws are in said first position, said second jaw being free of needles.

Claim 4

A device as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said needles is adjustably mounted in said first jaw so that the distance the point thereof extends outwardly from said first jaw may be adjusted.

Claim 5

A device as recited in claim 3 wherein said overcenter means comprises at least one spring received within said second jaw and engaging and applying a force to a bearing member; and means formed in said first jaw for receiving said bearing member therein, said bearing member disposed in a position between said jaws so that each line between said bearing member and the pivot axis for each of said jaws makes substantially the same angle with a line between the pivot axes.

Claim 6

A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said overcenter spring means bearing member comprises a ball bearing.

Claim 7

A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said mounting means comprises a cross member and a pair of side members extending from said cross member on opposite sides thereof; and first and second pivot rods, each of said pivot rods extending through a respective jaw and mounting the jaw to said side members for pivotal movement with respect thereto.

Claim 8

A device as recited in claim 6 further comprising a mechanical actuating means directly engaging said jaws and for moving said jaws from said first position to said second position.

Claim 9

A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said mechanical actuating means comprises a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement through said cross member, toward and away from said jaws, and directly engaging said jaws.

Claim 10

A device as recited in claim 8 in combination with a conveying system including a conveyor and a stationary stop; and means for mounting said cross member for movement with respect to said stationary stop from a position wherein said stop does not engage said plunger, to a position wherein said stop does engage said plunger effecting pivotal movement of said jaws to said second position thereof.

Claim 11

A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said overcenter means comprises at least one spring received within said second jaw and engaging and applying a force to a bearing member; and means formed in said first jaw for receiving said bearing member therein, said bearing member disposed in a position between said jaws so that each line between said bearing member and the pivot axis for each of said jaws makes substantially the same angle with a line between the pivot axes.

Claim 12

A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said overcenter spring means bearing member comprises a ball bearing.

Claim 13

A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a mechanical actuating means directly engaging said jaws and for moving said jaws from said first position to said second position.

Claim 14

A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said mechanical actuating means comprises a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement toward and away from said jaws; and wherein said device is provided in combination with a conveying system including a conveyor and a stationary stop; and means for mounting said device for movement with respect to said stationary stop from a position wherein said stop does not engage said plunger, to a position wherein said stop does engage said plunger effecting pivotal movement of said jaws to said second position thereof.

Claim 15

A cloth pickup device in combination with a conveying system including a conveyor and a stationary stop, comprising: first and second elongated jaws; means for pivotally mounting said jaws about first and second axes substantially parallel to each other and spaced so that said jaws are pivotal from a first position wherein they are in operative clamping position with respect to each other to clamp a piece of cloth therebetween, to a second position wherein they are in an unobstructed open position to allow a piece of cloth to freely pass into a position therebetween, said mounting means including a cross member; means for biasing said jaws to hold said jaws in said first position when moved thereto; a mechanical actuating means directly engaging both the jaws at the same time and for moving said jaws from said first position to said second position, said mechanical actuating means comprising a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement through said cross member, toward and away from said jaws, and directly engaging said jaws; and means for mounting said cross member for movement with respect to said stationary stop from a position wherein said stop does not engage said plunger, to a position wherein said stop does engage said plunger effecting pivotal movement of said jaws to said second position thereof.

Claim 16

A cloth pickup device in combination with a conveying system including a conveyor and a stationary stop, comprising: first and second elongated jaws; means for pivotally mounting said jaws about first and second axes substantially parallel to each other and spaced so that said jaws are pivotal from a first position wherein they are in operative clamping position with respect to each other to clamp a piece of cloth therebetween, to a second position wherein they are in an unobstructed open position to allow a piece of cloth to freely pass into a position therebetween, said mounting means including a cross member; means for biasing said jaws to hold said jaws in said first position when moved thereto; a mechanical actuating means directly engaging both the jaws at the same time and for moving said jaws from said first position to said second position, said mechanical actuating means comprising a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement through said cross member, toward and away from said jaws, and directly engaging said jaws; and means for mounting said cross member for movement with respect to said stationary stop from a position wherein said stop does not engage said plunger, to a position wherein said stop does engage said plunger effecting pivotal movement of said jaws to said second position thereof.