GB1050060A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,050,060. Tufting machines. SOUTHERN MACHINE CO. Inc. Oct. 12, 1965 [March 12. 1965], No. 43224/65. Heading DIG. Fabric feed comprises a first roller, a second roller spaced from and parallel to the first roller, a main drive shaft, means disengagably connecting the main drive shaft and the rollers for driving the latter in a forward direction, means independent of the main drive shaft and adapted, when in a first position, and when said disengagable means is disengaged, for driving the rollers in the forward direction, and adapted, when in a second position and said disengagable means is disengaged, for driving only the first roller in the reverse direction, whereby tension may be applied to fabric stretched between the rollers. As shown, backing fabric F in a tufting machine is fed by spiked rollers 48,50. Roller 48 is carried by a shaft 44 driven via a worm 36 and worm gear 40 from a hollow shaft 32, and the latter is driven from a shaft 20, carrying a pulley 16. via gearing 24,28. Roller 50 is carried by a shaft 46 driven via a worm 38 and worm wheel 42 by a hollow shaft 34 which is aligned with shaft 32 and is driven from a shaft 22, carring a pulley 18, via gearing 26,30. Pulleys 16,18 are connected by an endless belt 54 to a pulley 12 on a main driving shaft 14. The pulleys are of infinitely-variable pitch diameter, whereby the rate of feed may be varied and the fabric F may be tensioned between the rollers 48,50. A shaft 72, slidable in shafts 32,34, carries a handle 78 and is provided with radial pins 74,76 adapted, when shaft 72 is pushed forwardly, to engage in notches 64,66 in shafts 32 and 34 respectively. The arrangement is thereby such that when belt 54 is removed and shaft 72 is turned to rotate rollers 48,50 in the forward direction, a fresh length of fabric F may be engaged with roller 48 and fed into engagement with roller 50. Shaft 72 is then withdrawn till pin 76 disengages from short notch 66, and shaft 72 is then turned for rotating roller 48 in the reverse direction till' the required tension is applied to the fabric F.